High School graduate-what is the best step to take next into my nursing career

[malenursetobe@21]

I am a 2005 High school grad male, interested in a career as a nurse. I have been accepted to many universities in South Carlolina but have been strongly looking at local Technical Colleges also. I want to become a RN. and i want to least stressful way to do it. Give your advice...

My Questions:

1) would i be paid more for a BSN than a ADN as a RN?

2) would it be easier to a tech college and go through the lpn program first....then do the LPN to ADN program?

Thanks for your advice.

malenursetobe@21

[cursenurse]

since you have a choice, i think that you should just go ahead and get the bsn directly. it would be good to do it now when you have less responsibilities. as far as one program being more stressful than another- it's nursing school, any path you take is going to be stressful. i don't know about the pay for bsn v. adn, in some hospitals there is not much difference. the bsn however will allow you more opportunities within nursing. for a young person, who probably doesn't have alot of family responsibilities and can lean on family for financial support, get the bsn. for those of us who have waited to advance our education, we know that you may intend to go back and finish but life often gets in the way.

[student4ever]

since you have a choice, i think that you should just go ahead and get the bsn directly. it would be good to do it now when you have less responsibilities. as far as one program being more stressful than another- it's nursing school, any path you take is going to be stressful. i don't know about the pay for bsn v. adn, in some hospitals there is not much difference. the bsn however will allow you more opportunities within nursing. for a young person, who probably doesn't have alot of family responsibilities and can lean on family for financial support, get the bsn. for those of us who have waited to advance our education, we know that you may intend to go back and finish but life often gets in the way.

However, if you're like me and don't have parents who can afford to help you with college, the ADN is much much cheaper, though I wouldn't reccommend doing LPN and then to ADN - too many steps, and usually more expensive. Go for the RN from the start, whether it's ADN or BSN. Most places don't differentiate between ADNs and BSNs in pay scale, though if they do I understand it's only about a dollar difference. Whatever you decide, good luck, and welcome to the board! There are tons of nursing students/pre nursing students on here, and we often have study groups, links to helpful websites, etc. The advice from experienced nurses on here is awesome!