I need advice. PLEASE ANY INPUT!!!

MammaNurse2Be · Apr 17, 2009

I am pretty much in the same boat and I have decided to do an ADN program and then do a bridge. I'm 38 with a close to a 3.5 gpa but it is quicker at this point to get the ADN and start working then do the bridge. All of my friends that are nurses, some ADN, some BSN, all say that the pay scale is pretty much the same but it depends on if you want to pursure higher degree or management positions. My goal is to be NP so that is why i will continue on and bridge. Look at the schools you are interested in, find out the requirements for each, pick path with shortest time frame, go for it.

Prettyladie · Apr 17, 2009

Thank you so much for your info. I too want to be a NP. My friend is in the same situation. She says she is "stubborn" and wants to continue to do the BSN. In my situation. I have a 2 month old and living with my parents. My bf is currently incarcerated by fault.. all I know is that I want to move and get an apt and be on my own and I can't do that if i continue to stay at home lol =) So thats one for going to the adn. I'll keep a tally lol. Thanks again.

sunray12 · Apr 17, 2009

I earned my Bachelor's degree with 132 hours. If I were you I'd sign up at a 4 year college and finish up the last 30 odd credits so I could get a Bachelor's degree - field of your choice. Then I'd apply to nursing school - at pathway of your choice because with a Bachelor's you'd be eligible for entry at any level from LPN to direct entry Master's.

The community colleges in my state process apps on a points system so B's with a Bachelor's can come out the same to 4.0 in prereqs and no degree. So in your situation it would make more sense to go ahead and get the Bachelor's than to spend spend time and money retaking entry level courses.

And btw 22 is not old you have at least 45 good working years left in you! :)

Prettyladie · Apr 17, 2009

see the problem with that is.. i dont want to do anything but nursing. id hate to get a degree in something that i WILL NOT use and I DONT WANT. you know what i mean. the only other thing i'd want to do is law. and I doubt that would be any shorter. thank you so much for your suggestion. i will keep that into consideration. thanks so much.

MammaNurse2Be · Apr 17, 2009

The thing you should weigh is how fast you want to be done and working. I didn't have to re-take any entry level classes. With a two month old and a bf in jail, I'd want to get out and working asap to get away from him. During the year between application and acceptance (we apply in the fall to start the following fall) I will take my STAT class and i need one more prereq specifically for sonoma state. if i were to go directly for bsn, i would need one more class beyond that (that you don't need for the bridge) and that would push me out another year to apply. when i bridge it is just the nursing classes i will need as I will have all other degree requirements out of the way. so it is faster to get to the goal of working. You must decide what you ultimate goal is and then decide for yourself - not what we think.

Prettyladie · Apr 17, 2009

okay, i dont want to get away from my boyfriend. he is in jail behind something he didnt do. just to clear all that up. he's not a dead beat dad.. but ANYWHO. im ready for nursing school. im ready to work. i've taken all the classes for the bsn, and i guess my real question now is how long would it take to bridge. would it just be straight nursing courses for me as well like you were stating? how does that process work. so basically you're saying do the Adn first? I know i need to decided for myself I'm just asking for a little input.

tfleuter, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2009

If you don't think you have a very good shot at the BSN program w/out retaking classes, then I would suggest going for the associates (which you can start sooner and likely get into the first time according to your counselor and past HESI scores). Graduate with your ADN, start working and continue on with a bridge programs the next semester. Sounds like you'll be in school at least a year longer than if you went straight to BSN, but you will also be working, gaining experience, making money, ect. This could very well work to your advantage in the long run. Especially if you are lucky enough to have an employer who will do tuition reimbursement.

tfleuter, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2009

i've taken all the classes for the bsn, and i guess my real question now is how long would it take to bridge. would it just be straight nursing courses for me as well like you were stating? how does that process work.

I guess we posted at the same time! What you will need to do is find the different bridge programs in your area and see what their pre-reqs look like and what classes are offered once started. I've considered the ADN option and returning for the BSN as well for my school and it would take me 2 extra semesters than if I were to go directly for the BSN. Each school is different and you might want to talk to an advisor to get the whole scoop. Good luck!

Prettyladie · Apr 17, 2009

thank you so much. im leaning toward that associate program because im ready to work. i mean i know im probably about to start a debate..but with an associates you dont make any less than with a bachelors right? it does seem smarter to do the associate program. why do you say that i would be in the bsn program a year longer

chloejean104 · Apr 17, 2009

Well at the start ASN's make the same as a BSN, but later on you usually need a BSN to get a higher scale job. I honestly think if you are going on to be an NP that getting a BSN is worth is, and a BSN is only two extra years, but then again it all depends. Just my 2 cents.

Prettyladie · Apr 17, 2009

i do want my BSN regardless. im just wondering should i go ahead and do the ADN first because of my personal situation or wait and keep trying to get into a bsn.