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

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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.

Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

Oh yeah that makes sense! I have BA so I would have most of these classes done, minus the Government requirements. I hadn't though of that being an issue when getting your first degree. But yeah I definitely agree that taking as many classes as possible at a CC is the right way to go!

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

Good Luck. How much debt will you be in when you finish the program? How will you survive in the meantime? You could move back home. I STRONGLY encourage you to look at the job market for RNs right now. I realize the acceptance letter IS very exciting. You are in your honeymoon period, such as I was. Nursing is SOOOO far from what the media makes it out to be.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Good Luck. How much debt will you be in when you finish the program? How will you survive in the meantime? You could move back home. I STRONGLY encourage you to look at the job market for RNs right now. I realize the acceptance letter IS very exciting. You are in your honeymoon period, such as I was. Nursing is SOOOO far from what the media makes it out to be.

Well I am actually moving back home in June. The adn program is about 8K and UTA BSN program is about 16K. I figured that if I go for my BSN in the meantime while I am taking the rest of the prereqs I can save up more money for the bsn program. Though I am thrilled about getting into the program I feel as though I am going to take a risk and decline adn offer. Plus working at a hospital I get tuition reimbursement up to 2500K which is not bad

8 more days until I accept or decline FML!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I kind of feel like the ones who are saying do the adn are the rn's that have been working for while. Compared to people who are saying go for bsn because it does seem like it so hard to find a job especailly here in Houston, Texas where we have at least 6 or 7 bsn programs and multuple adn programs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Well I am actually moving back home in June. The adn program is about 8K and UTA BSN program is about 16K. I figured that if I go for my BSN in the meantime while I am taking the rest of the prereqs I can save up more money for the bsn program. Though I am thrilled about getting into the program I feel as though I am going to take a risk and decline adn offer. Plus working at a hospital I get tuition reimbursement up to 2500K which is not bad

8 more days until I accept or decline FML!

Marco, your situation is a little better than others. However, since you do work at a hospital with tuition reimbursement and have the option to work at home, why not explore better arenas in health care? I know that my friends who went to physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy and physician assistant school are not crying the same tune as nurses. They're all making the "big bucks" and I totally envy them.

I can give you an entire list of other careers to look into, that most people overlook since they have fallen into the trap of the media and believe that nursing is in demand. These fields are a little more niche and not nearly as saturated as nursing. It's something to think about. Part of me wants to scream at the top of my lungs and tell you to run the other way. I have a STRONG feeling about this. I feel that you would do MUCH better in another field.

I realize it's scary to think outside of the box and I realize you have been conditioned to believe that nursing is a "great" job that is "in demand" and employers will always want you..."you can do anything", but it's a big, fat, lie. Nursing is no longer what it was before. It's SO far from that and with the current trend, things will only get worse.

Really sit and think about this. I REALLY believe that you will be happier in a better field (such as the ones mentioned). I would hate to see you on here in a few years telling us "You were right, there's no nursing shortage". It's still a LOT of money and a lot of time, in your life, that you will never get back. Follow your heart. Part of me thinks your heart is trying to warn you and tell you otherwise. I'm glad I stopped to consider my intuition. I'm exploring my options outside of nursing as of recently.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank for your advice Pina!

I have considered other career options and have found that get very bored easily. With nursing you have so many options even though it may not pay as much as pharmacy or p.a. My ultimate goal with nursing is to get my DNP. I think the reason I am having such a hard time deciding is because I know I want to have a advanced nursing degree in the future and I think that adn route may be a waste. Who knows If I am entering the wrong filed of healthcare. I may later regret my decision and then go back to school for another degree.

I really want to be the best that I can be as a nurse and do what a nurse is supposed to do. At the end of the day it's not all about money but you are there for the patient. Their life is relying on how you feel that day. Blah Blah Blah

:)

Marco, your situation is a little better than others. However, since you do work at a hospital with tuition reimbursement and have the option to work at home, why not explore better arenas in health care? I know that my friends who went to physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy and physician assistant school are not crying the same tune as nurses. They're all making the "big bucks" and I totally envy them.

I can give you an entire list of other careers to look into, that most people overlook since they have fallen into the trap of the media and believe that nursing is in demand. These fields are a little more niche and not nearly as saturated as nursing. It's something to think about. Part of me wants to scream at the top of my lungs and tell you to run the other way. I have a STRONG feeling about this. I feel that you would do MUCH better in another field.

I realize it's scary to think outside of the box and I realize you have been conditioned to believe that nursing is a "great" job that is "in demand" and employers will always want you..."you can do anything", but it's a big, fat, lie. Nursing is no longer what it was before. It's SO far from that and with the current trend, things will only get worse.

Really sit and think about this. I REALLY believe that you will be happier in a better field (such as the ones mentioned). I would hate to see you on here in a few years telling us "You were right, there's no nursing shortage". It's still a LOT of money and a lot of time, in your life, that you will never get back. Follow your heart. Part of me thinks your heart is trying to warn you and tell you otherwise. I'm glad I stopped to consider my intuition. I'm exploring my options outside of nursing as of recently.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'd probably start the associate degree, try to pick up any classes I could take that apply to the BS RN program, apply to the BS RN program(s) (always do more than one), and then jump ship if I got accepted to the the BS. That way, should a BS program not accept you, you are still working toward that RN while you're applying to BS programs.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, in other words. Credits taken toward the AS, if chosen wisely, also work toward the BS. I'd not sit it out, if I really wanted RN, and had that AS program ready to go and hadn't been accepted by a BS yet. I'd start AS and transfer to BS. Lots of people accept at one or more schools, then decide at the last split second which one to proceed with.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey Streamline,

That is great advice! I haven't even thought about that. That would be a logical think to do. My only thing is if I have to withdraw or drop my adn classes for bsn classes Im thinking that won't look too good on my transcript. Thanks a lot!

I'd probably start the associate degree, try to pick up any classes I could take that apply to the BS RN program, apply to the BS RN program(s) (always do more than one), and then jump ship if I got accepted to the the BS. That way, should a BS program not accept you, you are still working toward that RN while you're applying to BS programs.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, in other words. Credits taken toward the AS, if chosen wisely, also work toward the BS. I'd not sit it out, if I really wanted RN, and had that AS program ready to go and hadn't been accepted by a BS yet. I'd start AS and transfer to BS. Lots of people accept at one or more schools, then decide at the last split second which one to proceed with.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Which courses? The nursing should transfer unless there's some accredation issue, or you are taking then from a for-profit like ITT and are tyring to transfer those to a college. For gen-ed, tell your associate degree adviser that you want to substitute the baccalaureate degree courses for the associate level ones so that you'll have a 2-year degree that will transfer. They might go along with that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

Again, since DFW area ADN programs partner with various BSN programs, you shouldn't have any problem transferring your courses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB/GYN/Neonatal/Office/Geriatric.

That is why you go for the Associate of Arts in Nursing not the Applied Science. You will be taking courses that would be required at University only much cheaper at community college. If you are planning DPN then you really should do BSN IMHO. I'm glad you see yourself as helping patients. The bad part is you are given so many patients that you may be let down. Keep things realistic. Acute care nursing can be rewarding but you won't get to do half of the real caring that you would like to do it can be discouraging. When I went into office nursing I really got to spend alot of time teaching and it was more fulfilling. With your advanced degree you will be able to work in the community where I think you will be doing more humanistic care rather than technological things. It will be a trade off. But there are always trade offs in nursing. I reached a level of burnout once because I felt I never got to spend time with my patients and really address the psychosocial issues that affect them. That is when I left hospital nursing. Good Luck to you!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
At a lot of schools you start out as "pre nursing" and after you complete your pre-reqs there's a separate application process for clinicals. Admittance at the university doesn't automatically give you a spot in clinicals.

YIKES!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment