Going for ADN - take BSN courses now or later?

mangopeach · Jul 23, 2010

If you can fit them into your schedule, I'd take them now. That way, you'll have less to complete when you get your ADN. Thats pretty much what I did. I plan to go for the NP program so I've been taking classes that are required for that even though I'm going for my ADN now.

yisy4u · Jul 23, 2010

I'll be starting my Pre reqs this fall, and like you, I expect to get into the prog for January 2012, but with my class schedule I don't have time for any other class. I'll be taking 4 classes each semester and 2 in the summer to be able to apply in sept 2011 for the January program....but if I could, I would get rid of as many classes of the BSN as I could. So if you have the possibility I believe you should do it. Good luck :)

starmickey03, MSN, RN · Jul 24, 2010

Out of curiosity, have you looked at any direct-entry BSN programs. They're designed so that if youre accepted to the college, you automatically are accepted into the nursing program. Usually, you take your pre-reqs during the first year, and the last three years you take your nursing and general courses.

I only ask this because you said that you wouldnt graduate from your ADN program until 2014, but if you got admitted to a direct entry program this winter then you could graduate with your BSN instead of ADN in 2014 and wouldnt have to worry about the RN-BSN bridge.

Just a thought. Not sure how old you are, but I'd suggest looking into it. I could give you a list of schools that have this option.

You could actually even do a direct entry ADN program and take our pre-reqs alongside your nursing courses, personally I just think that being in school for 4 years is a long time to get an ADN when you could get a BSN in the same amount of time (especially since thats your ultimate goal anyway).

Oh, and keep in mind that financial aid stops after a certain amount of time whether you have a bachelors degree or not (5 years). So you want to keep your schooling time as short as possible if you need federal financial aid

happy2learn · Jul 24, 2010

If it fits in your schedule, then take them now. That is what I'm doing while I'm on the waitlist. I am finishing every course possible that is allowed to be finished before hand so that by the time I'm done with my ADN, it'll take me less than a year to do my RN-BSN.

witty_online_moniker · Jul 24, 2010

I only have A&P I&II left to apply to the ADN program at my local community college. I am taking one extra course each semester that isn't required for my particular program but are generally required for other programs. I figure that the extra knowledge can't hurt me, I have the time and funds for the extra courses, plus I need them to maintain my 6 credit hours that are needed to defer my loan payments while I am a student.

Also, while many schools do impose limits on financial aid, I have a previous BS degree and have been able to get financial aid for the last several semesters. I already had smaller loans from each of my four undergrad years as well. I had to appeal the "maximum time frame" limit in order to continue to be eligible for financial aid. The maximum dollar amount from student loans is actually quite large, time limits are set by individual schools from what I can tell.

Unless they are science courses that are only good for two years, I would think that getting them done now would not be a problem. Just make sure that if you are transferring them, they are accepted at your school of choice.

princsheather · Jul 26, 2010

I know at my school to stay full-time the ASN students have to take a few BSN classes so by the time they graduate with their ASN they only have a semester or two left. And I would definitely take advantage of the financial aid while you have it, but I know the hospital I will be working at has tuition pay back and helps pay for further education also.

NurseS2014 · Dec 16, 2010

take them now!!! if you have time before u are admitted into an ADN program...this is exactly what i am doing. i have completely finished my prereq for my adn..and im almost finished with my prereqs for BSN....next semester (spring'11) im taking 4 bsn prereq..and then fall 2011 i'll be taking the last of my bsn prereq which is statistics...it is so much worth it..and better to take them now than sitting out a semester...and while waiting so long to be admitted into somebody's ADN program..... :)

Student4_life · Dec 16, 2010

If you are concerned with GPA and you are not a great student I would say wait. Programs are very competitive and getting anything other than an A in a unnecessary course can be devastating.

CNM2B201? · Dec 16, 2010

Im applying for the fall 2011 ADN program and will be taking the extra classes required for my BSN during my summer breaks as I will have already completed all the general ed classes my program requires. So if you can fit them in now I would do it.

jennlaVICIOUS · Dec 16, 2010

MY CC's ADN program had a wait of at least 2 semesters, sometimes three. I didn't want to sit around and twiddle my thumbs while I waited to be accepted, so I used that time to work on transfer courses and even managed to receive a degree in Liberal Arts.

I'd go this route if you knew you had a wait only because you really want to put most of your focus on those pre-req classes!

Good luck!

SwampCat, BSN · Dec 16, 2010

Thanks everyone. I've been slowly adding on some BSN classes. Lucky for me, the community college that I will be applying to has guaranteed admission with a few universities for the RN-BSN.