My next move -seeking advice-

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Hello guys,

A quick about me, first time poster. I am a 22 year old male located in North East United States. I have been in community college the past 2 years taking everything from business, accounting, humanities, whatever, trying to find my niche. I eventually found nursing and I truly believe this is a career for me and have been researching every aspect of nursing for the past couple months.

Now for what I seek advice on...

I don't know where to go from here. I desire to eventually become a NP, CRNA, or a APRN of some kind. I will figure that out as I gain education and experience. But I don't know what school I should go to now.

I could get my ADN here in my hometown, but then I have to move to a larger city to get my BSN and MSN. If my life goal is to end up as a APRN should I just move now and get into a bigger school where I can start a BSN program and move to MSN directly afterwards? Or is it a smart move to obtain a ADN, gain work experience, then move towards a BSN and MSN program?

Any personal stories of a similar situation of how you got started would be great. If you did the ADN to BSN to MSN did you regret it, or do you think that was a great route? Same if you went initially for a BSN to MSN all in the same school...

I'm reaching out for some advice here, I did the guys forum, but if any women are browsing this your advice is greatly appreciated as well!

Thank you for your time.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

If you're thinking of advanced practice I would skip getting your ADN & go directly to getting your BSN. Especially since a lot of hospitals prefer BSN prepared nurses too. But if for certain reasons you NEED to start working NOW then get your ADN. But if you have the ability to get your BSN, get it.

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Specializes in critical care.

My ultimate goal was/is NP. Initially, I thought I'd get an ADN, then work while bridging ADN-MSN. But then I considered the time lines.

Pre-reqs for ADN: 1 year

ADN: 2 years

BSN gen eds: 1-1.5 years

BSN: 1 year

MSN: ~2 years depending on where I'd go

Total: 7-7.5 years

BSN gen eds + pre-reqs: 2 years

BSN: 2 years

MSN: ~2 years

Total: 6 years

I'd work a year sooner for ADN, but I'd be in school at least a year longer. Not only that, but I have no idea how to balance kids, work and school. Thankfully I had the support to go through a BSN program and delay working until I finished it.

If MSN or DNP is your end game, I'd recommend the same path. If money is an issue, take all of your gen eds and prereqs (or what's possible) at a community college.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in critical care.

P.S. If your school of choice for BSN has MSN programs that suit your needs, getting a BSN means you'll already know the faculty for your MSN, and a familiar face might help give you a leg up on competition for placement in the MSN program.

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Thank you both for such quick feedback.

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I got my ADN first. Worked for a while and then got my BSN. Have been working with my BSN for six months and going for MSN in the fall. You should stay where you are and get med-surg experience first. BABY STEPS!

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Thanks for your input boozer. But are hospitals and other healthcare facilities hiring new ADN grads? I know they're trying to shift everyone towards BSN now. I would hate to tack on extra college time if I couldn't find employment as a new ADN grad!

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Get the RN and you can get a job. Then get the BSN within five years.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Thanks for your input boozer. But are hospitals and other healthcare facilities hiring new ADN grads? I know they're trying to shift everyone towards BSN now. I would hate to tack on extra college time if I couldn't find employment as a new ADN grad!

I'd look at jobs in your area, look at what they want & how competitive the job market is. I know here I could get a job with an ADN. But if I were to move 2 hours north to a bigger city I would have to get my BSN.

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How do you guys predict the job market for an ADN a few years out?

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Specializes in critical care.
How do you guys predict the job market for an ADN a few years out?

For me, it was a no brainer. The local ADN program grads stay here locally, and the BSN grads move away. It's been the trend forever, so it's not likely to change. I'll have an advantage over them with my BSN.

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How do you guys predict the job market for an ADN a few years out?
Both ADN's and Diploma nurses are anachronisms that are likely to disappear in the not-too-distant future, with the active support of the ANA abetted by a poor job market all but ensuring that extinction.

The nursing job market is glutted in most (though not all) parts of the country. At the same time, nursing school enrollment - and the supply of new grad RN's - is at record highs and increasing, exacerbating an already bad situation. Employers have taken advantage of this and increasingly demand the BSN, really just because they can. Either demand for nurses has to increase, or the supply decrease, for this to change.

Demand is probably growing (albeit slowly) now that more folks have health insurance. I admit that I don't have the data to back up this assertion, but the anecdotal evidence I see seems to indicate that hiring has not picked up appreciably in the face of increased demand. On the supply side, things look to me to be static with increases in the rate of retirement of RN's probably evened out by the increase in new grads (I do have data showing the number of new RN's increasing but nothing on RN's leaving the work force).

My guess is that tomorrow looks much the same as today . . . so you are likely to face the same poor job market in which your odds of finding a job are long but seem to be better as with BSN after your name than with ADN there.

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