Help! ADN to BSN or MSN

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Hello!

My name is Paige and I'm 24-years-old. I'm currently attending a LPN-ADN program and I should be graduating in Dec 2016. The course is very challenging, but I have really great vibes about my completion. I finished all of the pre-requisites for OU's nursing program back in 2012, however, I applied once and didn't get in (hence that's why I went to LPN school.) I was way younger then, and even though I passed all of my classes, I only have a 2.6 GPA, I'm losing hope of what I should do when it comes to my plans after the ADN program. I've been looking at programs both in state and online for BSN and MSN and they are so competitive.. I just don't know what I should do. I'm originally from Oklahoma and I plan to move to Texas to persue my career. Also, I'm really interested in peds (nicu nursing), mid-wife or the med surge/er setting. I want to get my masters (so later on in life I can teach) so I want to complete any type of education right now while I'm younger. I'm assuming I need to get better grades so that my GPA goes up, which I'm fine with, but should I take them in Oklahoma or Texas, should I check each program and make sure my credits transfer, or should I not worry about Oklahoma or Texas schools and instead focus on online program. Should I not worry about debt (I'll be 10k in debt after completion of my ADN program)?! Should I focus on only my BSN or my masters, which would be better?!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Many online RN-to-BSN programs (Eastern New Mexico Univ, Fort Hays State Univ, West Texas A&M, University of Louisiana-Lafayette) do not pay attention to GPA. As long as you have an active RN license, you will be admitted.

I would focus on online RN-to-BSN programs. In addition, improve your study skills to ensure you earn better grades in the future. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Also, before you apply to graduate school ... make sure you are fairly certain of your career path. In other words, get some actual experience in the field you plan to study. You can do that while you do your BSN program. A lot of people think they want a certain specialty and spend a lot of money on education in that specialty before actually working in those fields. Then after they are deeply in debt getting a graduate degree in that specialty and go to work in that field, they find that they don't like it. Big waste.

Take it one step at a time. Graduate. Get a job in the clinical area of your choice. Begin working on your BSN, paying as you go so that you don't incur much more debt. (Your employer may even help you pay for school.) Pay down your current debt. By the time you are ready for grad school, you should be debt free and experienced in your chose field. You'll be in good shape.

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Thank you for the advice! That is such a good idea.

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Sweet! I just checked out the West Texas A&M and that school is super legit! Thank you for the advice.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Sweet! I just checked out the West Texas A&M and that school is super legit! Thank you for the advice.
You're very welcome. :)

Oklahoma Wesleyan University also offers an online RN-to-BSN completion program with lenient admissions requirements if you were still focusing on schools in OK.

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