Just accepted into adn program! Should i accept or decline?

PinaColada · May 15, 2011

Decline. BSN grads are even having a terrible time finding jobs. Do your research and follow your heart..not what society or everyone else is telling you. Good Luck

DarkBluePhoenix · May 15, 2011

I tell you, I am in the same boat (except I haven't applied yet)

I qualify for ADN programs as of June, I could apply and start in fall or next spring. BUT I will qualify for BSN programs this December. As my fellow micro student told me waiting an extra semester now can save 2 years later.

The programs around here are 2 year ADN programs and they don't "flow" into a RN-BSN program (which is another 2 years of work on top of your ADN work AND THATS FULL TIME.) You have to apply and most want a year of nursing experience....Well I am in southern CA, how am I supposed to get that if there isn't any jobs? If your ok with not having a job for a few more years to do a bridge then go for it.

Wait the extra semester, work hard and ace the classes and get into a BSN program! You will be done in 2-3 years of BSN work and you will have your bachelors AND your RN license! No going back to do any bridge programs!

I know right now your waiting to be in NS and its so tempting to accept the offer but I still say BSN...

Good Luck and congrats on your acceptance!

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · May 15, 2011

"wait the extra semester, work hard and ace the classes and get into a bsn program! you will be done in 2-3 years of bsn work and you will have your bachelors and your rn license! no going back to do any bridge programs!"

what she said. even though the job market is tough now, it won't be forever, and if you have your bsn in hand you'll have the jump on people who don't. also, you have no idea how hard it will be to work as a nurse and be in school for your bsn. it's way harder than you think and i can't tell you how many people i have had tell me they'd have been better off just getting it done in the first place because it's too hard to do it now.

nobody ever regretted having a better education. go for the bsn if it's in reach, don't be seduced by that "you will have a paycheck now and you can do it later." maybe not!

PinaColada · May 15, 2011

I know plenty of people that regretted going into nursing.

marcopolo · May 15, 2011

Hey Guys and Gals,

I really appreciate everyones opinions / advice! My head is spinning right now and I feel as though I should be celebrating the fact that I made it into nursing school period. One side of me is telling me to accept and do it. The other side is telling me do my bsn. I think I am now leading toward my bsn. I work at hospital in the pharmacy and would be doing UTA academic partnership. Because I already work at the affiliated hospital I would do my clinicals there. I guess I do have a advantage on others applying because I do work there. I hope that I have more of a chance to get hired there since I am already a employee there. Besides, eventually I want to further my education and eventually become a NP. I now think that the adn program is just a waste of time and that I would be better off going for my bsn. I really really hope I don't make a stupid choice not accepting admission to the adn program this fall.

Thanks again everyone for the help! Keep them coming.

I have 9 more days until I have to give the adn program a yay or nay. I feel like I am over thinking this right now. But this is my future on the line here.

ticklemenita · May 15, 2011

I am an ADN nurse and I think it is well worth it. We take the same NCLEX exam. In most cases there is a $0-$1 price difference in pay. I found a job rather quickly and feel I was adequately prepared. I passed NCLEX with 75 questions and there is really no difference between myself and any of the nurses who have a BSN. We get the same types of patients. I am going back to school in fall to complete my RN-BSN but a plus is my hospital will reimburse me for it =) Good luck no matter what you choose.

Hey guys,
I just recently found at that I have been accepted into a ADN two year program for nursing school. When I found out I was stoked because I know how hard it is to get into a program these days when its seems like everyone is applying. My dilemma is whether or not to accept the offer and start this fall. I also feel as though I should go straight for my bsn and not waste any time with doing the adn program.I am actually almost done taking my pre-reqs for the bsn program. And would do the uta academic partnership offered through my hospital.
What would you guys do? I hear a lot that it is very hard for new graduates to find jobs in clustered cities like Houston (where I am from). I can't imagine completing the adn program and not being able to find a job. Should I accept or decline. What do you think?
This is coming from a 19 year old, not to say that I am not knowledgeable. I think that there are others out there who are in the field already who can offer great advice.

DSkelton711 · May 16, 2011

If someone is going to pay for it I'd go for the BSN. Maybe they will be begging for nurses by then. Otherwise I would go ahead and do the ADN so you could be working, gaining experience while doing the RN to BSN. Just make sure all your general course work is towards an Associate of Science NOT Applied Science. Good Luck in whatever decision you make.

And yes, I too have seen where you can be in the BSN program but not be guaranteed clinicals. With the ADN you will definitely have clinical time!! Lots of it.

sugarmagnoliaRN · May 16, 2011

If someone is going to pay for it I'd go for the BSN. Maybe they will be begging for nurses by then. Otherwise I would go ahead and do the ADN so you could be working, gaining experience while doing the RN to BSN. Just make sure all your general course work is towards an Associate of Science NOT Applied Science. Good Luck in whatever decision you make.
And yes, I too have seen where you can be in the BSN program but not be guaranteed clinicals. With the ADN you will definitely have clinical time!! Lots of it.

Just out of curiosity, what's the difference between the Associate of Science and the Associate of Applied Science?

CrazziiRN913, ADN, BSN · May 16, 2011

I'm in the process of completing my ADN now and then I plan on going on for my BSN right after...its cheaper at least here...and plus ur already excepted! Also you can start working sooner.

marcopolo · May 16, 2011

Guys I think I am going for the bsn! This is so frustrating!! Thanks again everyone.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · May 16, 2011

brava!!! you will not regret it! this job market will not be like this forever, and you'll be ahead of the pack. (the person who says adn and bsn are the same is wrong-- but she'll find out when she finishes her bsn!)

good luck!

DSkelton711 · May 16, 2011

Difference in Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science: The difference is in the general education classes. With AS you would get all the classes needed to proceed directly to BSN. With AAS you only take the general courses required for ADN which can mean you would still have to take certain gen-ed courses before starting BSN. At least that is how it used to be. It would mean more humanities, economics, literature (ie, for my ADN/AAS all I had to have was ENG 101. With AS you would also take 102 which is required for BSN). I am ADN from 1986 so some of this may not hold true anymore, but definitely be aware of this. Google it and it will tell you also. For me to do RN to BSN I first would have to take some general ed courses before starting the actual nursing curriculum-a feat much cheaper at community college than at university!!!