So, I have been accepted into TCU's nursing program and into El centro college of nursing in Dallas tx. I am having a hard time deciding which route will be better for me. TCU has been the school of my choice since day 1, i believe that it is a very competitive school and i was accepted as a transfer student ( which is really hard to get in nowadays since they first take their own students). I will earn a BSN with them and it will open me a lot of other doors. What i am not really looking for is the high private tuition they carry ( 14,000 per semester) i really have my heart in to this school, but im scared of the debt. On the other side i also got into el centro's program which leads to a ADN and its much cheaper. I've been doing some research that will give me strong conclusions and will help me decide which way to go, since I don't have that much time and i came across a lot of articles stating how many hospitals where switching to a magnet status, where they no longer hire new ADN, this makes me wonder if really there is such a shortage of nurses how is it that they are switching to this new reform, i mean if the shortage is real, they would hire an ADN without experience and train them their way. This leads me to think.. How real is this information? will ADN nurses really have a tough time finding a job, and if so, should that make an impact in my college decision, because i don't want to have to spend 4 semester and be unemployed for a while , while i go back for my BSN, while in TCU in 5 semesters i can graduate with my BSN and have absolutely no problem. Tough decision, please help me with your suggestions and opinions! it is greatly appreciated!!!
You're right. Taking out that many loans would make each semester miserable and very stressful. Im also thinking about doing CrNA, and the army offers a great program where they pay for everything and at the same time you're getting paid. The only catch is the 4.5 on active duty which is mandatory. I really would hate to join the army in that aspect, I'm scared of that, or maybe I don't have enough info.
A friend of mine was an active duty Navy nurse and her husband did his CRNA through the Navy. One of our staffers (and a wonderful friend) has just become an Army nurse and you might want to check out her blogs: https://allnurses.com/nursing-blogs/?prefixid=blog_lunahrn
You could go to TCU as an ROTC student, get a living stipend as well as your tuition paid, and then have the Army or Air Force put you through CRNA school. Can't guarantee you'd stay stateside but you would certainly have a job when you graduate and no educational debt.
You need to decide what's best for you. You have several options here: TCU (expensive but your first choice---you can take out loans and hope to get scholarships); El Centro (less expensive but maybe more iffy in terms of getting a job); a less expensive entry-level BSN program; join ROTC at TCU.
You need to do what's best for you financially and personally. Can you handle the stress of borrowing $14,000 per semester or whatever you need to borrow?
I have 1 more semester for an ADN program. I chose this route because I needed to get in an out and get a job and the community college was the most affordable and had an awesome reputation. The magnet hospitals in my area hire new grad ADN's and BSN's. My plan is to do an RN to BSN bridge program which is another 35 hours for me since I already have a degree in something else. The hospitals here still offer tuition reimbursement for nurses pursuing their BSN's.
I will owe about $8,750 in loans when I graduate from my ADN program. I only borrow $1,750 per semester.
I am in a similar situation that you are in. I got accepted into a adn program and If i accept I will start this fall. I am also wanting to attend uta bsn program but still have a couple of pre reqs to do. So my question is to I risk my acceptance into the adn program in order to maybe not get into UTA's program? I am in a similar boat as you. Have you decided what you want to do?
So, I have been accepted into TCU's nursing program and into El centro college of nursing in Dallas tx. I am having a hard time deciding which route will be better for me. TCU has been the school of my choice since day 1, i believe that it is a very competitive school and i was accepted as a transfer student ( which is really hard to get in nowadays since they first take their own students). I will earn a BSN with them and it will open me a lot of other doors. What i am not really looking for is the high private tuition they carry ( 14,000 per semester) i really have my heart in to this school, but im scared of the debt. On the other side i also got into el centro's program which leads to a ADN and its much cheaper. I've been doing some research that will give me strong conclusions and will help me decide which way to go, since I don't have that much time and i came across a lot of articles stating how many hospitals where switching to a magnet status, where they no longer hire new ADN, this makes me wonder if really there is such a shortage of nurses how is it that they are switching to this new reform, i mean if the shortage is real, they would hire an ADN without experience and train them their way. This leads me to think.. How real is this information? will ADN nurses really have a tough time finding a job, and if so, should that make an impact in my college decision, because i don't want to have to spend 4 semester and be unemployed for a while , while i go back for my BSN, while in TCU in 5 semesters i can graduate with my BSN and have absolutely no problem. Tough decision, please help me with your suggestions and opinions! it is greatly appreciated!!!
I'm familiar with the programs you mentioned, and are in the DFW area. TCU/BSN does not instantly mean no problem in the job market arena... if you consider the amount of new grads being introduced into the area (approx 100 people per class, with sometimes 2-3 classes graduating per year, from schools like TCU, UTA, TWU, UNT, Weatherford College, TCC, El Centro....) you're competing with alot of people for a position.... then take into account, there are experienced people applying for the same jobs as new grads. YIPES!
Been there, done that!
My two cents? Go for the ADN @ El Centro. (I'd prefer less debt over a "name brand degree" any day) Work hard, be diligent in your clinical practicum, get letters of reference from your instructors as you go. Learn the names of hiring managers during your practicums, be not afraid to chat with them, etc.... Make yourself stand out from the crowd- You WILL be remembered, and possibly hired on as tech early on, or an internal grow your own (RN) candidate.
Many magnet hospitals do have hiring preference to BSN nurses, but ADN's can be hired too. Best of luck, please let us know how you decide.
ps-My ADN is helping me save so I can get my BSN thru UTA :)
I am in nursing school pursuing my ADN - love it - we started clinicals very early and the program has been around for a long time so we have great connections with the local hospitals. I have a previous bachelors degree in liberal arts but I chose the ADN for the reasons posted by "craigRNsince1986". I will be able to get an online BSN (RN-to-BSN) in a year or less after getting my ADN, while working as an RN.
I didn't read all of the responses so you may have already heard this, but there are a couple of RN-BSN programs in Texas that cost less than $7000 (UT Arlington, Texas Tech). You may be able to get tuition assistance to pay for most of an RN-to-BSN while working as an RN (hospitals in my town provide this benefit).
Here's the math: My ADN tuition is about $2500 - $3000 for the entire 2 years, add that to the RN-BSN cost (
Also - the hospital where I work as a tech (very large hospital network) in Texas just hired 3 new grads in my area (critical) care. Two of them are ADNs and one is a BSN - so yes they still hire ADNs. We are being told that they want us to have plans (as in a projected date) to finish our BSN when hired as an ADN - but that we don't need to have a BSN or even be working on it yet to get hired.
What hospital in Texas is hiring ADNS? Im in houston and many people here with ADN are having a hard time finding jobs period. Maybe I should move in the more rural areas.
I am in nursing school pursuing my ADN - love it - we started clinicals very early and the program has been around for a long time so we have great connections with the local hospitals. I have a previous bachelors degree in liberal arts but I chose the ADN for the reasons posted by "craigRNsince1986". I will be able to get an online BSN (RN-to-BSN) in a year or less after getting my ADN, while working as an RN.
I didn't read all of the responses so you may have already heard this, but there are a couple of RN-BSN programs in Texas that cost less than $7000 (UT Arlington, Texas Tech). You may be able to get tuition assistance to pay for most of an RN-to-BSN while working as an RN (hospitals in my town provide this benefit).
Here's the math: My ADN tuition is about $2500 - $3000 for the entire 2 years, add that to the RN-BSN cost (
Also - the hospital where I work as a tech (very large hospital network) in Texas just hired 3 new grads in my area (critical) care. Two of them are ADNs and one is a BSN - so yes they still hire ADNs. We are being told that they want us to have plans (as in a projected date) to finish our BSN when hired as an ADN - but that we don't need to have a BSN or even be working on it yet to get hired.
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
A BSN is definitely more employable over an ADN. If you want to enter quickly and cheaply, than the ADN may be the way to go.
But factor in 2 years earlier entry into the field with additional time & expenses in the future to complete the BSN, vs getting it done all at once.
By applying to each school & filling out a FAFSA you'll learn what the true costs are.
I entered nursing after a two year program because i was an adult with a family, but wish I could've done it all at once.
But $100,000+ is a lot of tuition. One alternative would be to earn the ADN, start earning money sooner, get a job with tuition reimbursement, and then complete your BSN (or maybe ADN--->MSN) at the school of your choice.
I've worked with many TCU grads and many TCC grads and could not distinguish them by skill or performance. Recently our hospital is just hiring fewer new grads but not currently showing a preference for BSN (though they state a preference). Another hospital that is close by had for a time completely quit hiring any new grads except for keeping their nurse externs, who were all from TCU.
TCU does have a more prestigious reputation and may garner you favor if you are trying to get into a more competitive specialty. But I must once more emphasize that as co-workers the skill level of new grads is equal in my experience.
One things I can say about TCC is that it has a reputation as being highly competitive in their admission process. If you were accepted that speaks well for you as a student.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
i understand hospitals are now preferring more bsns then adn but how is it related to magnet status.
*** it's not related in any way.
i thought magnet status was the meant to use more evidenced based practice.
*** it is supposed to mean excellence in nursing. what it really means is something else. however magnet hospitals are earning a well deserved reputation for not being good places to work.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
That is true. I want my BSN, and I also want to go for my CRNA. For that I really need a BSN, but also CRNA school is rather expensive, so that is what afterall comes to mind.
*** If your goal is CRNA school my advice is that you never tell that to enyone who might hire you, or anyone who might talk to someone who might hire you.
FYI you do not need a BSN to go to CRNA school. Many schools will accept other bachelors degrees.
yes, i have considered that option. i am personally really scared of debt, but also am thinking about our weird economy and really just want to be as competitive as I can be. I don't want to sit out for a while having to wait for a job. So did you find a job right away? or what is the process like? thanks!!
Yes I got hired right away, before I graduated, I had three interviews, got turned down for the first one and offered the last two, My advise would be, what ever school you attend, start building that resume, start volunteering, get involved in school government, join NSNA....do anything and everything to set yourself apart from all the other students who will be in the job market when you graduate. Best of luck to you!
Moogie
1 Article; 1,796 Posts
A friend of mine was an active duty Navy nurse and her husband did his CRNA through the Navy. One of our staffers (and a wonderful friend) has just become an Army nurse and you might want to check out her blogs: https://allnurses.com/nursing-blogs/?prefixid=blog_lunahrn
You could go to TCU as an ROTC student, get a living stipend as well as your tuition paid, and then have the Army or Air Force put you through CRNA school. Can't guarantee you'd stay stateside but you would certainly have a job when you graduate and no educational debt.
You need to decide what's best for you. You have several options here: TCU (expensive but your first choice---you can take out loans and hope to get scholarships); El Centro (less expensive but maybe more iffy in terms of getting a job); a less expensive entry-level BSN program; join ROTC at TCU.