LPN, ADN, or BSN?!

caliotter3 · Jul 19, 2010

Do yourself a favor in the long run and complete a BSN program from the beginning. You will save time, money, and aggravation by doing so.

Pneumothorax, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2010

i agree with otter.

i have a BA in another area, and did my BSN the long way- i could have done ABSN, but i feel that for something that is so IMPORTANT, (you know... if u give the wrong med you could kill someone) i really want to spend the time to learn the info properly :)

um, also, LPN jobs are few and far between, at least where i live now, and when i lived in miami i didnt see too many.

you could do an ADN, but more and more facilities are requiring BSN,

so uh, just suck it up and do the bsn.. you'll be glad you did in the long run :)

OH yeah, and since you have a Bachelors degree already, see if any of the schools you're applying to will accept some of the classes for credit.. it'll cut some time off for you !

iPink, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2010

I'm in the same situation as you. I will be going the Accelerated BSN route. As poster above said, I'll thank myself in the long run for choosing that route.

Also to add, you may want to look into other Accelerated programs other than UCF. Other colleges may have an earlier start date, so you can finish sooner than later.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2010

I really need help making the best decision about nursing school for my life. I know that there are so many different paths to take to become a nurse, but my problem is all about timing! I have just graduated with a B.A. in Communications from UCF, and I have known for about a year and a half that I absolutely want to be a nurse. I was actually registered in the pre-reqs 2 semesters ago at UCF, and thanks to my parents, I was forced to drop out of them and finish my B.A. instead of pursue my dream. Anyways, I am now free to make my own decisions and I just want to make the best one. Obviously, just like almost everyone, I want to choose a path that is going to allow me to make an income as a nurse in the least amount of time, and put me (and my fiance) in the least amount of debt, since we are currently debt-free. P.S. I am 22-years-old and live in Orlando, FL. Here are my options:
1. Go to LPN school at Orlando Tech, start in January 2011 and finish January 2012. Upon graduation, begin working PT as an LPN while completing the Indiana State University online LPN-BSN bridge program, finish my BSN probably just before Jan. 2014. Cost: $4500, plus $30K for BSN.
2. Spend the next year (2 semesters) finishing up the pre-reqs I don't have (Biology, Chemistry, A+P 1 and 2, Micro, Nutrition, Dev. Psych), finish those JUST in time to apply to Remington College's new Accelerated BSN program. I would start July 2011 and finish July 2012. Cost: $36K
3. Spend the next year finishing the pre-reqs as stated above, then wait until January 2012 to apply to UCF's Accelerated BSN Program (I would not have the pre-reqs done in time to apply by the Jan. 2011 deadline), start May 2012 and finish May 2013.
Cost: Approx. $10K
4. Spend the next year finishing pre-reqs, hope that Seminole State College's application deadline is after my final grades are in, then start their ADN-RN program August 2011 and finish August 2013. Cost: Approx. $8K
I have almost a 3.5 GPA and I have 2 A's and one B in the pre-reqs I've taken so far (no sciences). I'm including this info because it's not like the above 4 options are REALLY all options for me, because my chances of getting into the Accelerated programs, especially UCF's, are very slim. I appreciate you taking the time to read this, and I truly welcome any advice or guidance! Thank you!

For option #3- do you have to have the prerequisites completed prior to application? Most schools i looked at just wanted you to be well on your way.

I got in to an accelerated program with a 3.18 cumulative GPA, but my graduation GPA was a 2.795. I wouldn't assume you're not competitive with a 3.5. I like option #3 the best. See if you can apply while finishing your prerequisites.

CER022512 · Jul 19, 2010

well, I suppose the reason I'm so unconfident with my GPA and overall chance of getting into an accelerated program is because I met with UCF's nursing advisor and he pretty much told me I had a slim to none chance of getting in, and that's if I got all A's on every pre-req...at least he was honest? :eek: He also said don't bother applying unless I had every pre-req completed by the time I applied...

I certainly agree with all of you- BSN is the ideal option, it's just a matter of getting those pre-reqs done and getting accepted!

Any opinions about Remington College? They are accredited, but like I said, it's a new program...

Pneumothorax, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2010

wow.. thats so uncool of that advisor.

just to give you a heads up if u havent looked into the wait list for adn programs are horrendous. i was told there would be a min of 2 years wait with a 3.7 gpa. @ one so fla community college.

go bsn.

K nurse-one-day · Jul 20, 2010

Wow I really wish I had that many options. I have only 2 adn schools and a bunch of private schools around me. I say go BSN.

I really wish I could.

jpace204 · Aug 16, 2010

I'm in your same position and after talking to a couple sources I plan to do the orlando tech LPN and then eventually do the Herzing LPN to RN bridge. This way I don't have to spend any time doing pre reqs at valencia plus the UCF program is soo hard to get into. I know a BSN is preferred but in Central Florida the school options for it are not ideal. Also this way I can be working and actually making money in one year as opposed to 3 more if i did the pre-reqs plus UCF route.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2010

well, I suppose the reason I'm so unconfident with my GPA and overall chance of getting into an accelerated program is because I met with UCF's nursing advisor and he pretty much told me I had a slim to none chance of getting in, and that's if I got all A's on every pre-req...at least he was honest? He also said don't bother applying unless I had every pre-req completed by the time I applied...

wow.. thats so uncool of that advisor.

Well, I am pretty sure I know WHO you are talking about @ UCF and I would have to say I am not surprised, he's pretty blunt about things like that. But I would not let that deter you from applying anyway, proving him wrong would be the best feeling in the world ... I am going to apply to UCF's ABSN anyway, because not applying would leave me with that "what if" feeling. I rather get rejected than keep wondering, it's a great program and would like a shot at it.

Any opinions about Remington College? They are accredited, but like I said, it's a new program...

I recall reading that it was just accredited last November by CCNE, so no worries there. I have heard some good things about it, though I don't know much about the program. Try searching out some threads on here, as I have seen a handful of them on here discussing that program.

My :twocents: .... go for the ABSN! Have you considered other schools like UNF and UF as well? Sounds to me like you wish to stay in Orlando, though.

CER022512 · Aug 17, 2010

I'm in your same position and after talking to a couple sources I plan to do the orlando tech LPN and then eventually do the Herzing LPN to RN bridge. This way I don't have to spend any time doing pre reqs at valencia plus the UCF program is soo hard to get into. I know a BSN is preferred but in Central Florida the school options for it are not ideal. Also this way I can be working and actually making money in one year as opposed to 3 more if i did the pre-reqs plus UCF route.

Well, I have to say I'm pretty jealous of you at this point. I was actually all set to finish applying to Orlando Tech for the January LPN program, but then out of nowhere I got offered a full-time position where I was interning. Trust me, I am not complaining because I desperately needed a job, but I can't see myself leaving this position in 6 months because my fiance and I are relying heavily on my income while he finishes his MBA. So, my newest plan is to start taking pre-reqs at Seminole. I plan to take one or two online this coming Fall (Nutrition and Dev. Psych), and then I will take one Science pre-req per semester as a night class, meaning I will be done with pre-reqs by December 2011 (I already have 3 under my belt) and then I will have just enough time to apply to UCF's ABSN in January and start crossing my fingers! If I don't get in there, I will most likely apply to Seminole. Hopefully, by then my fiance will be back to full-time work and it will not be a burden to have me back in school.

CER022512 · Aug 17, 2010

Well, I am pretty sure I know WHO you are talking about @ UCF and I would have to say I am not surprised, he's pretty blunt about things like that. But I would not let that deter you from applying anyway, proving him wrong would be the best feeling in the world ... I am going to apply to UCF's ABSN anyway, because not applying would leave me with that "what if" feeling. I rather get rejected than keep wondering, it's a great program and would like a shot at it.
I recall reading that it was just accredited last November by CCNE, so no worries there. I have heard some good things about it, though I don't know much about the program. Try searching out some threads on here, as I have seen a handful of them on here discussing that program.
My .... go for the ABSN! Have you considered other schools like UNF and UF as well? Sounds to me like you wish to stay in Orlando, though.

Haha, yes, you probably do know who I'm talking about. I appreciate his bluntness, but it was still a little disheartening to hear. But, you're right, it would be a great feeling to prove him wrong! As I posted above, I am now planning to apply to UCF next January, if all goes according to plan. I checked out Remington, and after hearing some negative reviews, the price ($35K) was the final factor to take it out of my options. I have considered other schools, but I am getting married and our life is pretty much set here in Orlando, so it would really be ideal to go to school here. Thank you for the advice! :)