How is it like to be an ADN then going to BSN?

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Hey everyone, I'm back! I did talk to my parents a few days ago after reading all the comments and advice. My dad assured me that where we live, nurse grads are hired. He told me there's now a shortage of nurses because the older nurses are retiring. the county that my parents work for, L.A. County, apparently hires new nursing grads. He told me that he's actually met some of them, which is great! That gives me a lot of relief, and more motivation to go straight for my Associate's. The reason I say Associate's instead of Bachelor's is because, I can't go straight to the Bachelor's program with the prerequisites I already completed. I'm almost done taking them. After I finish this semester, I'll have two classes left that I need to take to get into my top nursing school, and 3 others. The problem is that they only have ADN programs. I would definitely go straight to a Bachelor's program if the prerequisites were not only different, but more. It would basically make me start over, and I've been completing my prerequisites for a year, so I'd rather not do that. Basically, my plan now is to get my ADN then my BSN. I'm also going to be learning ASL while waiting to be admitted into a nursing school. I thank everyone on here who helped me make a better decision and also helped me have better communication with my parents, which was a little unexpected but nice. With all that said I wanted to ask you guys: How is it like to be an ADN going to BSN? Do you guys suggest working temporarily as an ADN then going back to school to get your BSN? Or, do you guys suggest just transferring to BSN after getting your ADN? How was it like to work as an ADN new grad then go back to get your BSN? How was it like just going back to school after getting your ADN? Again, I can't just go straight to BSN, because I'd have to start over with my prerequisites and it's just going to waste time. Thank you, again!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I graduated and went right to work (well, as soon as I could land a job), and then started on the pre-reqs for the RN-BSN bridge program. The nice thing about doing the bridge was that I could do it part-time and at a slower pace. A majority of my classes in both programs--I had to withdraw from the first one due to relocating--were online with minimal to no in-person component, so it was easy to work the courses into my schedule. It was rare that I had to take two classes concurrently. And if I needed a few weeks off of school because of life, I had the flexibility to do that without setting my progress back by a year.

And most importantly...since I was working, I was able to do the BSN without incurring any debt. I paid for each class as I went.

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I graduated and went right to work (well, as soon as I could land a job), and then started on the pre-reqs for the RN-BSN bridge program. The nice thing about doing the bridge was that I could do it part-time and at a slower pace. A majority of my classes in both programs--I had to withdraw from the first one due to relocating--were online with minimal to no in-person component, so it was easy to work the courses into my schedule. It was rare that I had to take two classes concurrently. And if I needed a few weeks off of school because of life, I had the flexibility to do that without setting my progress back by a year.

And most importantly...since I was working, I was able to do the BSN without incurring any debt. I paid for each class as I went.

Whoa that's nice! But I'd rather do in person classes so I was thinking of working temporarily then taking time off for school. Do you suggest that? :0

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Whoa that's nice! But I'd rather do in person classes so I was thinking of working temporarily then taking time off for school. Do you suggest that? :0

In this job market, taking time off carries risk. There's a lot of nurses looking for work so it's not as though an employer will struggle to fill your vacancy...nor is there any guarantee that you'd have a job to return to. If you would rather do it this way, I'd recommend at least staying per-diem so you can keep your foot in the door.

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In this job market, taking time off carries risk. There's a lot of nurses looking for work so it's not as though an employer will struggle to fill your vacancy...nor is there any guarantee that you'd have a job to return to. If you would rather do it this way, I'd recommend at least staying per-diem so you can keep your foot in the door.

"Per diem"? As in everyday? Is it better if I can just work a few days and then go to class? I mean I could but I rather not. Going to school and going to work at the same time is very difficult for me. But you're saying that if I went back to get my BSN, I have to work and go to school at the same time?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
"Per diem"? As in everyday? Is it better if I can just work a few days and then go to class? I mean I could but I rather not. Going to school and going to work at the same time is very difficult for me. But you're saying that if I went back to get my BSN, I have to work and go to school at the same time?

Most RN to BSN programs.require you to be working as a nurse as a condition of enrollment. Doing hard things is just part of adult.life. embrace it and grow from the experience.

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Most RN to BSN programs.require you to be working as a nurse as a condition of enrollment. Doing hard things is just part of adult.life. embrace it and grow from the experience.

I'm keeping that in mind and making it work. Thank you. It's not something that I'll have to think about anytime soon anyways because I'm aiming for my ADN right now. But you're right. When the time comes to get my BSN I have to embrace working and going to school.

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Specializes in psych.

I graduated with my ASN and started working full time right away. My hospital has a tuition reimbursement program if you have completed a year of full time employment with them. I did and then I enrolled in a RN-BSN program that is completely online so I can work it around my work schedule. For my program, I am required to be working full time or I will have to take a clinical that I would have to set up and find arrangements for. Since, I'm working full time, I don't have to worry about that. Like Meriwhen, I am going part time, so it's a slower pace and online so on my own time. I'm not in a rush since I am already working and this would just mean that if I wanted to go for a management position I would be eligible since I'm in the program.

Overall, it's not a bad deal, work pays for most of it as along as I pass my classes and am working full time. I'll have no student debt when I'm done and that's the real reason I'm doing this. If it meant a load of debt at the end, I wouldn't be in it. The classes are not overly stressful like my original nursing program was. I'm finding most of the classes are easier since I now have a nursing background to pull from.

Good luck with your decision!:)

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
"Per diem"? As in everyday? Is it better if I can just work a few days and then go to class? I mean I could but I rather not. Going to school and going to work at the same time is very difficult for me. But you're saying that if I went back to get my BSN, I have to work and go to school at the same time?

Per diem (by the day) work is casual employment; in my experience, a per diem nurse picks which available shifts s/he wants after the full/part timers have been scheduled.

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I graduated with my ASN and started working full time right away. My hospital has a tuition reimbursement program if you have completed a year of full time employment with them. I did and then I enrolled in a RN-BSN program that is completely online so I can work it around my work schedule. For my program, I am required to be working full time or I will have to take a clinical that I would have to set up and find arrangements for. Since, I'm working full time, I don't have to worry about that. Like Meriwhen, I am going part time, so it's a slower pace and online so on my own time. I'm not in a rush since I am already working and this would just mean that if I wanted to go for a management position I would be eligible since I'm in the program.

Overall, it's not a bad deal, work pays for most of it as along as I pass my classes and am working full time. I'll have no student debt when I'm done and that's the real reason I'm doing this. If it meant a load of debt at the end, I wouldn't be in it. The classes are not overly stressful like my original nursing program was. I'm finding most of the classes are easier since I now have a nursing background to pull from.

Good luck with your decision!:)

Does online actually teach you the skills to be a BSN? I feel like the in person classes are more helpful. But wow it's nice that your workplace has tuition assistance! Yeah when the time comes I'll basically have to work part time then go to school.

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Per diem (by the day) work is casual employment; in my experience, a per diem nurse picks which available shifts s/he wants after the full/part timers have been scheduled.

Do per diem nurses chose the days they can work also? Do you basically get to choose went to work and get tk work on your own time?

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The only difference in terms of courses required for ADN vs BSN programs around L.A. county is literally 1 or 2 courses extra. Most CSUs want the 2nd semester of the combination chemistry and statistics in addition to the common prereqs. You can take both over the Summer. So, I'm not really sure what you mean by having to "start over." You can just apply for Spring 2019 while completing your 2 prereqs during the Summer semester since applications for Fall 2018 are already over. You'll need to apply around September-October for most ADN programs anyway.

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