Im confused, some quick help

Mell Bell · Jan 19, 2010

Once you get your ADN you are qualified to sit for the NCLEX-RN. When you pass, you are a licensed registered nurse. You can then begin working, and/or go on to get your BSN.

You need to take the NCLEX after your ADN because in order to prgress in the bachelor's program, you need your RN license (for clinicals).

Remember, there are nursing pre-reqs you have to take before even applying to a nursing program (I got my generic A.A. before entering my nursing program).

I hope this is helpful :)

pilot833 · Jan 19, 2010

helpful but I have two questions

1. do most people continue to get their BSN or do most start working???

2. can you go to a 4 year university, the first 2 years you go and get your RN and then the rest of the 2 years you finish to get your BSN??? Or are BSN and ADN totally seperate schools?

UVA Grad Nursing · Jan 19, 2010

There are four primary pathways to become a RN:

1. Hospital training program (3 years)

2. Associate degree program at a community college (1 year pre-nursing, then 2 years nursing)

3. Bachelors degree (can either be a 4-year program directly in a nursing school or 2 years of general education + 2 years of nursing)

4. Direct Entry MSN (for those with a BS/BA in another subject

If you completed either a diploma or an associate's degree, you could pursue a RN-BSN degree (BSN completion). These generally are 1-1.5 years.

A good site to read about BSN programs (and see a listing of them) is on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing website at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/nurse_ed/nep_index.htm. This list is beoken out by state as well.

Mell Bell · Jan 19, 2010

1. do most people continue to get their BSN or do most start working???

- I'm actually not sure about this, I don't know the statistics of ADN vs. BSN. You can do either, though, it just depends on how far you'd like to go with your education. For example, if you'd like to become a specialized nurse practitioner, you'd need to get your BSN.

2. can you go to a 4 year university, the first 2 years you go and get your RN and then the rest of the 2 years you finish to get your BSN??? Or are BSN and ADN totally seperate schools?

- Yes, if you go to a 4 year university, ADN and BSN are connected. You should get in contact with the college of nursing at the specific university you are thinking about, though, because they might do things a certain way. There also might be different paths, for example, I am in a dual enrollment program, taking classes at a State College and at a Univeristy, so I get my BSN 3 semester's early. A lot of universities offer things like that.

pilot833 · Jan 19, 2010

well i want to work as an part-time ER tech during college and then become a ER Nurse after college. What do you need to become a ER nurse, is it considered a specialized nursing field???

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Jan 20, 2010

well i want to work as an part-time ER tech during college and then become a ER Nurse after college. What do you need to become a ER nurse, is it considered a specialized nursing field???

You need an RN to start in the ED, though having prior emergency experience wouldn't hurt. My suggestion would be to get your EMT-B and/or CNA certifications early and start working as an ED tech so that by the time you graduate you'll have a better shot of landing an ED job.

miss_pitty_pat · Jan 20, 2010

You can work as an RN in the ER with an associate. I have been told the main difference between an ASN and BSN is that you have to have a BSN to get into management (nurse manager, case management). If you get your ASN and decide to go on with your BSN, it's usually an 18 month program that is designed for working students. I am in an associate's program and plan to go on for my BSN after a few years of working as an RN. I hope this helps?

Pyrai · Jan 20, 2010

If you want to go four years, get your BSN. You don't need to worry about working unless you don't have anyone to help you pay for college expenses, being young I'm sure your parents and loans will help you a lot.

ASN and BSN are two completely different programs, for example, my college just got rid of our ASN program this year but we still offer the BSN program. Many people who have worked in the field have also told me that having your BSN you get a lot less crap from other nurses (other people can give their two cents on this, it's just what I've heard).

Also, you will learn more about becoming a specific nurse (like ER nurse) when you get into school and are able to talk to your adviser!

Best of luck!

JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2010

I've never gotten any crap from any other nurses about being an ADN. I'm currently in school to get my BSN, but only because I want to eventually get an MSN and teach. Nobody at my hospital would dare to be snooty about it because some of the old timer ADN's are the best nurses we've got!

The NCLEX is the same whether you graduate with a BSN or ADN. Exactly the same.

If you work as an ED tech while you're in school, and you do a really good job and show them that you're smart and hardworking, you have a very good chance of getting hired as an RN in the same department right out of school.

pilot833 · Jan 21, 2010

My plan:

Volunteer-->High school graduation-->Certified Nursing Assistant-->ER Tech-->Associate Degree of Nursing-->ER Nurse-->RN to BSN program

So does it look like a good plan??

is it more worth it to just go straight from high school to BSN???

Will I find it really hard to get a job as an ER nurse with just a ADN and ER tech experience???

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Jan 21, 2010

If you can afford it, get your BSN right off the bat. You'll probably want it soon after you get your RN anyway, so you might as well get it while you're not already in the workforce.