Going back door route to get BSN.

Nursing Students General Students

Published

There is much emphasis to complete pre-reqs for the ADN program before going into an actual nursing course. I feel since I know for sure I want to obtain a BSN, why not complete ALL pre-reqs for the whole shabang? I can't imagine becoming an RN in a two year program and getting 'stuck' to my job when I need to figure out how to work in more pre-reqs. Stress is going to be enough at new job for the first couple years let alnoe fooling around with other crap. What's your thought?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think you should just go for the BSN since that's what you ultimately want. I can understand your point about being wrapped up in a new job and not having time to go back to school. I know, from reading here, that alot of people are pursuing the ADN with plans to get a BSN later. That just seems like alot of wasted time and resources since they would have to complete the rest of the prereqs for the BSN as well as another year of nursing school (depending on school). I've personally considered the ADN, but soon realized that I could have the BSN just as fast. With the time that I would sit on a waiting list for the ADN program, I can be finishing the BSN prereqs. Also, most BSN programs require you to have about 40 of the 60 prereq hours to apply and just complete the rest before entering the program. If you want a BSN, just hunker down and get it the first time around. I'm sure you'll be pleased later.

Good luck!

Tara

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Makes total sense to me.

If you feel as if you want to pursue a BSN, and have time and money to expend into school at this point - go for it, by all means! :)

I'm planning on enrolling in a BSN program, Classes are only admitted into the local ADN during the fall, so by the time I could apply I would have had a chance to complete my BSN pre-reqs already. I figured if I'm going to be spending 2-3 years on it anyway, why not go ahead for the BS?

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by TaraSC

I know, from reading here, that alot of people are pursuing the ADN with plans to get a BSN later. That just seems like alot of wasted time and resources since they would have to complete the rest of the prereqs for the BSN as well as another year of nursing school (depending on school).

It seems like wasted time, but actually its worth it. With a ADN, you can test out of (nursing) BSN courses be done in even shorter time. Plus, most BSN schools would enroll you in advanced placement which would look great to employers.

I'm in a diploma program and as an LPN I've already been exempted from several classes. Most of the stuff that I'm learning in other classes I've learned, so it's kinda like a review.

Good luck to you glassskyrising!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by Monielena

It seems like wasted time, but actually its worth it. With a ADN, you can test out of (nursing) BSN courses be done in even shorter time. Plus, most BSN schools would enroll you in advanced placement which would look great to employers.

I'm in a diploma program and as an LPN I've already been exempted from several classes. Most of the stuff that I'm learning in other classes I've learned, so it's kinda like a review.

Good luck to you glassskyrising!

Monielena, that's cool that you are exempted from some classes and stuff, but I don't know if that's the original point. For those who want a BSN, they should get one directly without taking the ADN step. If you look at the actual nursing portion of a BSN degree, it's about 2 years or 4 semesters...the same as the ADN program. If you go back and do the Flexible/ADN to BSN, you still have to complete a year worth of additional courses, courses that would have been incorporated in the Generic/Traditional BSN program.

My advice to anyone else in this situation is to compare several schools, BSN and ADN, to see what's more efficient and effective for you based on your personal goals. Just be informed before making education decisions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you have the time and opportunity to do the BSN now, then do it! I spent the better part of the last 5 yrs trying to finish my BSN(finally graduating next semester).

But I had the problem a lot of people do when they choose the ASN over the BSN route- in the middle of having children and a husband who needed to finish college. It worked for me at the time but I wish I could have done the BSN all at once instead of having to struggle and wait so long. It seems to get harder to do the school thing the older I get, don't have as much enthusiam as I used to, harder to retain stuff too. My advice is if you can. DO IT!!

Hope this helps....:rolleyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I think you should do it if you can.

My problem is it would take me a YEAR longer to get my BSN vs ADN-BSN (since the RN-BSN program is only 9 months) and I will not have any additional BSN pre reqs to complete. Plus another problem here is the BSN programs only accept students once a year and all the ADN programs accept students every semester. So for me it is a *lot* quicker to get my ADN and than my BSN.

So definatly look at all your options.

Marilyn

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think it's different for every situation and for every state and school...

For instance it would take me the same amount of time to finish and get both degrees BSN or AS... becuase I had most of the liberal arts portion. So I went for the BSN. Plus the AS had a waiting list. The BSN university did not have one.

So it depends...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by TaraSC

Monielena, that's cool that you are exempted from some classes and stuff, but I don't know if that's the original point. For those who want a BSN, they should get one directly without taking the ADN step. If you look at the actual nursing portion of a BSN degree, it's about 2 years or 4 semesters...the same as the ADN program. If you go back and do the Flexible/ADN to BSN, you still have to complete a year worth of additional courses, courses that would have been incorporated in the Generic/Traditional BSN program.

My advice to anyone else in this situation is to compare several schools, BSN and ADN, to see what's more efficient and effective for you based on your personal goals. Just be informed before making education decisions.

My main point was not to completely exclude going from ADN to BSN. Reqs vary from state to state and sometimes its cheaper (and quicker) to go that route depending on where you are.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am currently in my second year as an ADN student. However, I have been working on lib eds for the past couple of years so when I graduate from the ADN program I am going directly to a BSN program. The ADVANTAGE I will have is that I am able to work while obtaining the BSN.

Not such a waste of time in my opinion - but this is just me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm doing the ADN for several reason, 1) I hear it's a better program than the Uni, 2) I want to get out of here sooner than later 3) much cheaper. Since I have my plan down, I chose the school I want to do my BSN completion and my MSN and am working on their required pre reqs. I'm pretty much done with them and I'm finishing up with my ADN pre reqs this semester.

Another thought, many, many hosptials offer tuition reimbursment and will pay for you to complete the BSN, and, many hospitals will pay for you to do a ADN in exchange for 2 yrs work. Why not take advantage of these?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment