Published Feb 26, 2004
Richmondrn2b
8 Posts
Hi everyone my name is Phil and i am new to the forum. i live in richmond and i am torn between what nursing program i should go with, one is at a community college and you receive an associate's degree and the other is through bon secours and you receive a diploma. Either way i plan on going to VCU and then hopefully into a CRNA program. i just didn't know if it made a difference whether i had a diploma or a asn to start out with. i know crna school is a long way away but i just want to get on and stay on the best possible path. Any advice would be great.
Thanks,
Phil
Katnip, RN
2,904 Posts
The biggest question, since you plan to transfer, would be which program woul offer the highest number of transferrable credits.
I remember (and this was ages ago) that some diploma programs taught some sciences, like micro at the hospital, so they weren't transferrable, and it took longer to get that bachelor's than if you had taken the adn program.
With either one, you might have to take an extra course or so to get in to a bachelor's program.
Other than that, I don't think it matters in a CRNA program which you start out with. It's more of how you end up that counts.
Good luck to you!
CRNA, DNSc
410 Posts
Hi everyone my name is Phil and i am new to the forum. i live in richmond and i am torn between what nursing program i should go with, one is at a community college and you receive an associate's degree and the other is through bon secours and you receive a diploma. Either way i plan on going to VCU and then hopefully into a CRNA program. i just didn't know if it made a difference whether i had a diploma or a asn to start out with. i know crna school is a long way away but i just want to get on and stay on the best possible path. Any advice would be great.Thanks, Phil
You will need a Bachelors degree to apply to any anesthesia program (and many require a BSN) so do what will get you to that point without time wasted in repeating coursework.
Thanks for the advice guys. i'm just trying to figure out the quickest route. i think both program are about the same because the science courses you have to take for the diploma program are taken at the same community college i'm looking at.
thanks again for your advice
charles-thor
153 Posts
I can't think of any benefit to attaining your ADN or diploma prior to going for a BSN. Why not save some of headaches associated with nursing school, time, and cost by enrolling directly into a BSN program? You've got a long road ahead of you. Don't make it more difficult than you have to. Good luck!
Pete495
363 Posts
I don't know if you have a prior degree or not, but if you do, you could apply to a BSN fast trac program, which means you could get a BSN in a matter of 1.5-2 years granted that you have the proper prereqs. There are such programs throughout the country. we have several in pennsylvania.
If you're considering ADN vs. diploma, by all means go for an ADN degree wiht a program that will allow you to get your BSN at the very least. A lot of ADN schools have a bridge program after obtaining your RN that will allow you to get your BSN. It's usually 2 years for your ADN, then another 2 years to get your BSN, but i've heard of shorter also.
It would also be practical to just get your BSN if you are able to put in the time,money, energy, etc.