In a COLLEGE DILEMMA..... Please help!!!

greeniebean · Oct 16, 2009

How far into the ADN are you?

CaliforniaRNnow · Oct 16, 2009

i was at another bsn program and it didn't work out at all (not for me and all my other nursing friends).

and now i'm back in nursing school and i'm getting as. it's my first semester. i feel that if i leave now and try another school, it won't work out as much as it is right now. i feel weird just leaving a program i'm getting as in... i'm in my 20s and i just want to get this done already.

cheska_rn, ASN, RN · Oct 16, 2009

Oh wow! That is quite the predicament!

Okay, so first off - CoNgRaTs!

Secondly, what semester are you in? Did you just start the ADN program this fall?

My opinion is that if you are almost done w/the program, just stick with it. You have come so far, are doing well, and you can always use the bridge to get your BSN. However, if it is your first semester, I personally would be inclined to go for the BSN program.

I don't really have any experience or anything to back that, lol. I'm just envious of those who can do the BSN program. I start the ADN program in January, but if I could have afforded the BSN program, I definitely would have went that route! Good luck with whatever you decide!

:twocents:

cheska_rn, ASN, RN · Oct 16, 2009

Oops! You must have replied while I was typing. :chuckle

Okay, in that case, since you already know that the BSN program wasn't exactly 'your thing' at this point in time, I'd just finish the ADN program since you are having proven success with it.

Again- good luck!

Music in My Heart · Oct 16, 2009

i'm in an adn program for nursing. i got accepted into a bsn program. but i don't know if i should go to the bsn program because i am doing so well here in the adn program.
what if i go to the bsn program and find out i'm not doing as well as i've done in the adn program?? then i would feel really stupid.... like i threw away all the hard work i just did. i really don't want to dilly dally going back and forth with these schools for years. i just want to be a nurse already. i'm just being realistic.
what do you think i should do?

no dilemma at all. stay with what's working and get yourself educated, graduated, and licensed as quickly as possible. it would be silly to transfer and lose credits in the process.

i think the adage, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies here.

CaliforniaRNnow · Oct 17, 2009

I'm going to finish this semester and see what happens. And then in the end, I will make a final decision. It was that ONE BSN program that didn't work out. I had a friend who went through THIS BSN program and she has 2 little kids. So maybe I could do this.... Thanks so much for the replies.

Moogie · Oct 23, 2009

I have a couple of questions that provide a little food for thought in helping you make your decision.

First, what are the differences between the first BSN program you attended and the one at which you have just been accepted? Were there problems with the first program? Were you trying to do the program at a difficult time in your life? Or were there other factors?

Not all programs are alike---nor are all students. What worked for your friend may or may not work for you. How do you think you might approach a baccalaureate program differently now than the first time around?

A second consideration would be your professional goals. What are your long-term plans? Where do you see yourself in five or ten years? If you are at all considering nursing management, education or advanced practice down the road, you may find it less of a hassle to go for the BSN now. Moreover, with current trends in hiring, it may be to your advantage to get your BSN rather than continue in an ADN program. Magnet hospitals prefer BSN grads over ADNs and it seems, from the posts on AN, that it's easier for BSN grads to find jobs in the current economy. On the other hand, there are many bridge programs, RN to BSN or RN to MSN, that would help you continue your education should you choose to do so.

Third, how do the schools (your current ADN program and the BSN to which you were just admitted) compare? Does one have a significantly higher rate of passing the NCLEX? Are there differences in class sizes? Does one school have a reputation of "weeding out" students?

And finally, how do things look for you financially? Can you afford the BSN program now? If the two programs are comparable in terms of costs, NCLEX pass rate, time to complete the program and other factors, you may be wise to switch programs. On the other hand, if you are successful and happy in your current program and don't mind having to go through a bridge program at a later date to get your bachelor's degree, you may be okay where you are.

The only thing you don't want to do is to jump into another program, find that it isn't for you, and then try to get back into your current program.

Good luck to you in your decision!