I have a BS in Business, should I go for BSN or ADN?

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I had started nursing school in a BSN program several years ago...got pregnant, quit, now 2 kids later I'd like to go back next year and finish. Instead of nursing school, I finished a BS degree in business management. I have the choice of going to get a BSN or an ADN in nursing. Would it matter since I already have a BS in another field? The BSN program is 1 hour away, and the ADN program is 15 minutes away. But I know that the instructors at the BSN program are more student friendly than at the ADN program. I know people who went to both.

Any opinions? Also, how hard is it to do nursing school with kids at home? By next fall they'll be 4 and 2.

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Hi there

I would suggest you to go for the Accelerated BSN instead of ADN or BSN since you have BS in other career, it is 1 year long, less waiting list unlike ADN or BSN. Due to the highly impacted nursing programs, you can try to apply for both, if you get accepted for both, then you can decide which degree you want to go for. Good luck with you decision.

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Specializes in Wellness Coach, ICU, PACU, OR, Mgmt.

Skip the ADN & head straight for the accelerated BSN. You are a perfect candidate!

You'll also be eligible for quick entry into MSN programs based on business or leadership.

I'd avoid the trap of the ADN - it has given me headaches. I fell into it because it got me into school about 3 months earlier than the BSN program would have.

I now have a BA in business added to my ADN, but can't move forward in any Nursing Masters degree without getting my BSN + I had to add a bunch of credits to get my AA for entry into my BA program...$$$$$ arrrrgh:banghead::banghead:

Now I'm in a totally different line of work & happy to pursue education unrelated to nursing - all is well. :heartbeat

But, the moral of the story is GET THE BSN if you have that option & it appears you do.

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Thanks. I looked, and the closest accelerated BSN is 2 hours away, so no way that will work. But, I'm not sure why it is called acclerated...it takes just as long as the 2nd half of the BSN degree. The way our college does it is, you take all your pre-reqs the first 2 years, and then only nursing courses the last 2 years. So I could apply and just have 4 semesters to complete of nursing courses. And the college I'd go to has a transitional program into a master's program. Plus, their class schedules look better to work with babysitting for my kids...most classes meet 1 day a week, plus clinicals another day. The ADN program's classes meet 2x a week plus clinicals.

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Specializes in Wellness Coach, ICU, PACU, OR, Mgmt.

Looks like your local college is basically doing the same thing as long as they don't make you jump through a lot of "hoops" taking courses getting "ready" for your junior/senior nursing courses.

Have a great time & welcome to nursing!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I would go for the BSN, definitely. And as for the part about kids and handling school, I dont know because I don't have any! :D

I think it would be fairly easy for you to transition into a BSN program because of your previous degree. Good luck!!

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Specializes in Clinical Risk Management.

Are there any online bsn programs available? Our state offers them through the board of regents at all levels. My SIL earned her BSN online and is working on her MSN online. Just a thought.

Good luck to you!

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It would be pretty unusual to earn an initial nursing credential via an on-line program. While there are on-line BSN and MSN programs, they are generally for people who are already licensed as RNs.

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Specializes in psych nursing.

I would apply to both. I have a BA and could only get into ADN program because alot of schools in my area are looking for people who do not have an undergraduate degree. Plus it always good to apply to both.

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I have a BS in education. I just completed my Associates in nursing. I chose this route because it was less exspensive. Also, there were no acclerated programs locally. The BSN program wanted me to take lots of courses over (no thanks). There was a BS to MSN program about an hour away, but it was the first year of the program. I didnt want to be the lab rat.

I have two children both born while i was in school. Im dad by the way. First child as i finished some prereqs and the second in my last semester. I worked part time for EMS during school (24 to 36 hours every weekend). My wife worked 60 hour weeks (closer to 40 hours by the time I finished school).

If you have a good support system and a spouse willing to help out you should do fine. Im not saying it will be easy. I dont know if this will help you to decide which program to choose, but it lets you know that what ever you choose you can do it. (where did I put that English text).

Good luck

blueferral RN

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Specializes in Wellness Coach, ICU, PACU, OR, Mgmt.
The BSN program wanted me to take lots of courses over (no thanks). blueferral RN

That's what I kept running up against :banghead: when I wanted to convert my ADN/BA to a BSN. Finally, I just gave up. Too frustrating & I really didn't want the BSN anyway, my job wanted me to have it.

Much happier now that I'm not trying to please other people with a degree I don't need & I'm studying what I WANT TO!

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Luckily the BSN program I'm looking at is the same one I was accepted to before I got pregnant with my first baby. I took all my pre-reqs at that college too, so coursework shouldnt be an issue. So that one might be easier than the ADN program...and I already know the dean at the BSN program, and they are very helpful to students, so I think I'd feel more comfortable there. Plus, I'm thinking of masters degree later on too.

Thanks for the replies.

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