How soon after graduation would you start your ADN to BSN

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Specializes in Geriactrics.

so i am currently in my second term of my adn program due to graduate in september of 2012. my initial goal was to obtain my bsn but due to economic reasons i chose to take the adn route. this option would give me the opportunity to work as soon as possible and possibly have my employer pay for me to continue my education. i have all of my pre-reqs completed for the bsn program and have already had my transcripts evaluated by the university. the admission person for the rn-bsn stated that all i would need to do is complete an rn-bsn application and take the nclex, i would be tentatively admitted dependent upon me passing the nclex and would be able to start as soon as spring 2013. i would have the option of taking classes once a week or online only, the rn-bsn program takes only 1 year to complete with 12 hrs fall/spring terms and 8 hrs summer term. the only clinicals i would have to complete is community nursing in which i get to pick my own clinical hours and preceptor. how soon after graduating from the adn program would you start the rn-bsn program....for some reason i feel like i should work for maybe a year or so before i start.....

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personally? I'd take a bit of time off.... and maybe getting an employer to offer tuition reimbursement! That would be the ideal way. However, if money is not an issue, going straight through could be beneficial if you are really needing your BSN for a specific job you are interesting in.

BSN vs. ADn? I have my ADN. I have had it for 18 years. I am currently working on finishing my BSN. It does not have a direct bearing on my chosen feild, but I have desires to move up the ranks into management and hopefully get my Masters in a few years. I am one class from getting my BSN... and it had done nothing for my income, does nothing for my role in which I am...

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OP, I have thought of this too, and I have a previous bachelors in another field. I will not put another dollar into nursing until the current nursing situation resolves. If I were you, I'd wait and reassess once you graduate. See if it is possible for you to even get a nursing job in the first place. I'd advise to be sure nursing is a viable career before you throw more money into what could be a "pit". Sad but true. Finish what you have in the works but then do a fly around before going any further. Also, fewer hospitals are giving any kind of tuition support these days, so your financing with that in mind might no longer be an option.

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Specializes in Vent patients, OR.

I finished my ADN 12/2009. I have taken one year away from school, because after two years of working FT, plus school plus commute, I needed it. I had applied to start now in January, but because so many things happened at one time (moving again, new job), I am putting a delay on it. Now I am thinking fall, because my new job orientation is 7-8 months, and I think I'd just like my brain cells to focus on that! I had gotten a casual RN job 4/10, but it took until now to get the real deal, FT RN position. The facility I'm going to won't pay for it, but they will do loans that you work off per hour worked, so I will consider that route when the time comes. I have a tendency to rush everything, so this was a conscious decision to slow down and enjoy my life a little, not do everything at once. All.The.Time.

I also have a bachelors in science/healthcare field, and won't have much at all to take for completion. I will need to do it for future career goals.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

Its really up to you and how you feel about it. I started my BSN program just a couple of months after graduating with my ADN and now I only have 3 weeks left till I have my BSN. I have found a rural hospital that serves and Native Alaskan community so I get loan repayment through IHS which is part of the reason I started asap. Although the BSN program focused a lot on research and some community health it didn't necessarily make me a better nurse. As my manager says "its not the degree that makes the nurse" However, I do have plans to continue and get a masters degree and by having the BSN I have more options available and don't necessarily have to stick with nursing.

There is never really anything wrong with obtaining a higher education. Perhaps there is something you are interested in like Public health, epidemiology, microbiology that you can study.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

Its really up to you and how you feel about it. I started my BSN program just a couple of months after graduating with my ADN and now I only have 3 weeks left till I have my BSN. I have found a rural hospital that serves and Native Alaskan community so I get loan repayment through IHS which is part of the reason I started asap. Although the BSN program focused a lot on research and some community health it didn't necessarily make me a better nurse. As my manager says "its not the degree that makes the nurse" However, I do have plans to continue and get a masters degree and by having the BSN I have more options available and don't necessarily have to stick with nursing.

There is never really anything wrong with obtaining a higher education. Perhaps there is something you are interested in like Public health, epidemiology, microbiology that you can study.

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Specializes in Geriactrics.

Thanks for the quick replies.....

The hospital that has offered me a job as a Patient Sitter while I am currently in school still gives out tuition assistance if you plan to stay as an RN after graduation ( of course I will be signing a contract to work for X amount of years) so the money wouldn't be the problem. I wouldn't go for my BSN but my long term goals (10+ years) are to become a Nurse Educator (MSN) and teach at the local CC or University. I'm just afraid that I will have every intent to go back and never do it.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

With the RN you can find a MSN program even if you dont have a BSN. There are RN-MSN programs and/or you could also get a BS degree in something that interests you.

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Just be sure to continually reassess the situation because many people who had something set up at work had that revoked due to the "nursing situation". I have read posts on this board of people who signed a contract, etc. worked with intention of hire after getting their RN, only to find the hospital dropped the contract having decided not to hire new grad RNs regardless of prior agreement or even having excellent grades/references/employee reviews. I know I sound like a downer, but this is just reality. Keep checking along the way to protect yourself.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.
Just be sure to continually reassess the situation because many people who had something set up at work had that revoked due to the "nursing situation". I have read posts on this board of people who signed a contract, etc. worked with intention of hire after getting their RN, only to find the hospital dropped the contract having decided not to hire new grad RNs regardless of prior agreement or even having excellent grades/references/employee reviews. I know I sound like a downer, but this is just reality. Keep checking along the way to protect yourself.

Thats how I ended up in Alaska! However, I don't regret it. I think I have learned more here than I would have back home.

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Ha, for some reason that just made me laugh Smilealot! :lol2:

Hey too bad, I used to have a relative who lived outside Anchorage. Could have have had a family for you to have in case of need over there.

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Specializes in Geriactrics.
With the RN you can find a MSN program even if you dont have a BSN. There are RN-MSN programs and/or you could also get a BS degree in something that interests you.

I already have a Biology degree so I really don't want 3 BS degrees.....but I will look into the RN-MSN programs in my state in the mean time. Getting my BSN would allow me to work as a clinical instructor at the CC level until I obtain my MSN. But who knows maybe I'll will love teaching clinical and not bother with the MSN at all.:confused:

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