Mount St. Mary's College or El Camino College??

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Nov 25, 2014

I'd highly advise against an ADN program at all at this point if you can get into a BSN program immediately and afford the financial and time commitment to go directly BSN. Many hospitals, the one I work at included, won't hire ADN prepared nurses at all now.

If those are your only options, the cheaper community college with the higher NCLEX pass rate is a no-brainer to me.

palitocali · Nov 25, 2014

Thank you so much for your insight blondy2061h, MSN, RN.

Both nursing programs are ADN programs, it's just that MSMC offers their own RN to BSN for the third year, making it much more like getting into a BSN program in the first place!

Going to El Camino would mean saving money at first, but then I'd be applying and hoping to get into RN to BSN programs afterward. (I've heard mixed reviews about how hard it is to get into RN to BSN programs, so not sure about competitiveness, actually.)

Affordability is a huge factor which would force me to lean toward El Co, however, I'm eager to find out what kind of financial aid package MSMC will offer me.

caliotter3 · Nov 25, 2014

If I could make it work expense-wise, I would go with the Mount. If there is absolutely no way, don't shut the door. Get your ASN at EC, and keep MSMC in mind for a BSN in the future.

palitocali · Nov 26, 2014

True, thanks caliotter3, I'm going to get more information about their RN to BSN program for non-MSMC applicants.

excited1 · Nov 26, 2014

I went back and forth forever with the same thoughts. I decided to go with the ADN program which i am currently enrolled. I couldn't be happier with my choice. I will enroll to a BSN program while i study/wait to take NCLEX. Is it true that BSN nurses are being hired faster than ADN? Yes! But, that doesn't mean they arent hiring ADN's at all. I know a few people who took really good jobs at reputable hospitals here in L.A. While it may be harder without a BSN, its not impossible.

Everyones situation is unique and our reasons for choosing one school over another are also unique. Do what you feel is right and that will be the best choice. Be soooooo thankful you have an option. A lot of people out there would love to be in your shoes rather than receiving rejection letters. Congratulations on getting in and good luck to you! ?

excited1 · Nov 26, 2014

Also, my school (and other community colleges), has a collaboration program. You get your BSN simultaneously during the winter and summer. Check with the comm college and see what they offer.

ShondaJ · Dec 7, 2014

El Camino has a great program. My God Mother is the Dean of that program. Visit the school, they have many opportunities for transferring into a BSN program. A ADN is and ADN regardless of where it is taken. You can choose to go the expensive route or the less expensive for the same degree and License.

If my scheduling was good at work I would be there but with my job I can't.

got_you · Jun 3, 2015

I don't know what you decided but to anyone that reads this in the future A big chunk of the LACCD school have a bridge ADN-BSN program. This program works with CSULA so people do the ADN work during fall and spring; BSN during winter and summer. Each school has 10 slots. I went to a meeting and the only schools that seemed to take advantage where PCC and LACC.

Kandy83 · Jun 23, 2015

Go to El Camino, Mount St Mary's has a way lower NCLEX score and it cost way more. It would suck if you go some where like that, pay so much and still struggle with the NCLEX.

Oh and El Camino is a great school and it's closer to you. And I believe they do have a connection with a BSN program. You really need to go online and recheck this. I believe they are connected to Cal-state Dominguez. Or you could just go to WGU and obtain your BSN from there.