Getting Associates with intention of getting BSN right after

[Em843]

I'm applying to a BSN program and an associates program. If I'm fortunate to get into both programs, I will have a hard time choosing. I know this issue has been discussed a lot here, but I'm wondering if anyone has done the ADN with the plan to do an RN-BSN program directly after. Did the hospital pay for it? This would save me a lot of money, even though it would take longer. Thanks.

[Susie2310]

I bridged to an accredited BSN program at a state university approximately 19 years ago, directly after completing my ADN program. I didn't set out intending to bridge to BSN when I started the ADN program, but I made the decision to do so towards the end of the fourth semester. If I recall correctly, I had to wait one semester in between applying to the BSN program and actually starting classes. I attended the informational meeting for the ADN-BSN program just before I completed my ADN, and once I had my license I was eligible for the program. The cost of tuition was far less expensive then, but I still saved a lot of money by taking the ADN-BSN route instead of straight BSN. I was also able to take some of the extra general education courses for the BSN at the local community college, which was much cheaper than taking them at the state university. I have never regretted getting my ADN at a community college first, as I feel I reaped the best of both worlds in my ADN program:- top notch clinical training and an excellent foundation in nursing at a very reasonable financial cost. I graduated with honors from both programs and joined Sigma Theta Tau during my final BSN semester. I would take the same ADN-BSN route today, although I see that the local community college ADN program now has a partnership with a state university BSN program whereby ADN students can choose to take classes towards the BSN.

[Gentleman_nurse, MSN]

Look at the education environment closely before you decide to make sure it's a place that you will succeed in. Some places have high attrition rates because they are not supportive. Cheap tuition is useless if you never graduate.

Assuming you're not receiving significant financial aid and the education environment is supportive, go for the ADN. Especially if it's at a public community college. Now if you're getting a scholarship or aid that greatly defrays the cost, yes go for the BSN.

[klone, MSN, RN]

You also should look at the hospitals in your area (if that is where you are hoping to get a job)....many hospitals do not hire ADN new grads. And they also do not hire people into their new grad residencies if they've been an RN for more than a year (which would be the case if you went ADN-BSN). And even still, some RN-BSN programs do not allow entry to nurses who aren't employed.

So, depending on how the hospitals in your area operate, if you do an ADN-BSN bridge, you might be screwing yourself out of employment. That's definitely how it is in my town.

[Em843]

You also should look at the hospitals in your area (if that is where you are hoping to get a job)....many hospitals do not hire ADN new grads. And they also do not hire people into their new grad residencies if they've been an RN for more than a year (which would be the case if you went ADN-BSN). And even still, some RN-BSN programs do not allow entry to nurses who aren't employed.

So, depending on how the hospitals in your area operate, if you do an ADN-BSN bridge, you might be screwing yourself out of employment. That's definitely how it is in my town.

Yes, this is what I'm worried about. I live in a big city on the east coast and BSNs are definitely preferred. I worry about not being able to get a job with an ADN, and then not being able to get into the BSN-RN program either.