If your could do it over you would do. . .

The best clinical practice is after you graduate and hit the floors. I honestly don't know much about LPN clinicals, but from what I've seen the RNs both ADNs and BSNs get good clinical experience in equal amounts.

If I had to do it all over again, I would go for the BSN at age 18, instead of the ADN in my 30s. I'm happy with my ADN though.

O.K. now for the reality check question. What do you mean you don't like clinicals???? Give it up now and go for something else. You are going to have a lot of hands on clinicals no matter which program you choose.

Where on earth did you hear BSNs don't have as much clinicals?

Not a flame. But consider why it is you want to become a nurse. You're going to need some bedside experience prior to management. So get friendly with clinicals.

Good luck! :)

Looking back, I wouldn't have done anything differently, for the Diploma program I went through gave me the clinical experience that I would not have otherwise gotten...if I had chosen an ADN or BSN. I'm not knocking either of these programs, but the difference here is pure academics.

Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy

Where on earth did you hear BSNs don't have as much clinicals?

I'm guessing she means that the ADN --> BSN doesn't have as many clinicals. Actually, I'm pretty sure many RNtoBSN programs don't have ANY clinicals, because they can be done completely online.

I'm working on my ADN right now, but I fully intend to do the RN to BSN program once I'm actually working as an RN. Why do it out of pocket when you can get your employer to pay for 75%? After that, if I'm feeling ambitious, I might do a Master's program.

There is a great misunderstanding about ADN vs BSN programs. In this state both require same number of clinical hours (since the job requirements for a staff nurse are the same). BSN does offer more leadership and research courses. I did ADN program to begin working and earning $ quickly. Then I did BSN part-time. Having the BSN got me an extra $1/hr while I was staffing. It made me eligible for the job I have now. I am currently working on my MSN so that I will be eligible for more opportunities. So it depends on what you want. As previously mentioned, you will do most of your clinical learning on the job.

Originally posted by klone

I'm guessing she means that the ADN --> BSN doesn't have as many clinicals. Actually, I'm pretty sure many RNtoBSN programs don't have ANY clinicals, because they can be done completely online.

I'm working on my ADN right now, but I fully intend to do the RN to BSN program once I'm actually working as an RN. Why do it out of pocket when you can get your employer to pay for 75%? After that, if I'm feeling ambitious, I might do a Master's program.

That makes sense.

Just hope the op doesn't think that going straight to a BSN program is going to get them less clinicals that going the ADN route.

I had a LOT of clinicals while in school for my BSN. The nurses who were ADNs in my class did not do any med-surg, peds, psych or OB clinicals, just the community health portion. As far as I can tell from comparing notes, the diff between AD and BS program is the Statistics, Research and Roll Development stuff where we had to do an additional clinical with a manager.

Thank you for the replies. I appreciate your help. I love to learn hand-on training so i'm not avoiding clincals. I just hate them because I get too nervous.

I want a job that I can enjoy and I don't care about money. Nursing and Vet are my top picks in careers.

Originally posted by ScarlettRN

I had a LOT of clinicals while in school for my BSN. The nurses who were ADNs in my class did not do any med-surg, peds, psych or OB clinicals, just the community health portion........

Whaaaaaaaatttttttt??????? Are you sure about this, or do you have that backwards?

ADNs get med/surg, ob, peds, psych, but NOT Community Health. It is the BSN program that offers the Community Health portion of the clinicals.........the only clinical the ADNs do not get as ADNs in school.

That is what I get for writing an awkward sentence. What I meant was that the ADN nurses who were in my BSN class did not have to do any clinicals except the community health one. They were on the RN to BSN track within my BSN graduating class.