Nashville lpn adn or bsn? job placement afterwards?

[mandalynne85]

Hello,

This is my first post on Allnurses! My husband and I are both going to be relocating to the Nashville area this summer. We both will have our AA in general studies this May and are both wanting to go to nursing school now. My husband is more focused on bed-side care in particular with peds and geriatrics, and I really want to become a NP, preferably a PMHNP as I am very interested in diagnosing and mental health. My question is which program near Nashville is most affordable? Would it be best to start with the lpn program at TTC and then bridge? Or should I just go for my BSN? I do have an AA but I am missing pre-reqs such as A&P 1 &2 and micro, as well as my husband. We would be considered "out of state" for one year for tuition purposes. Also, will we be able to find jobs after we graduate wither as an lpn or rn in or near the area? If you recommend TTC for lpn, which branches are best? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! We need to start applying soon!

[sarah_ashley]

Definitely get your BSN. You will have more career opportunities that way. Most hospitals now days won't hire ADN or LPNs.

[pixie6089, BSN]

Aquinas College is a small, Catholic college known for a great nursing school in the area. It doesn't matter if you are out or in state since it's a private school. I went there, not being a Catholic but the nuns are a great inspiration, and felt they were a great school and prepared me well. I got my ASN and had no problem finding a job in 2009 on a med-surg floor.

[MyOwnBlueSky]

I completed my pre reqs at Nashville State CC and was just accepted into Belmont University BSN program which will graduate in 4 semesters. Nashville is def a place that is leaning toward BSN. I know a husband and wife I was in pre reqs with who have both completed pre reqs at NSCC and are now both at Belmont's BSN program. It looks like you could get those classes done in just 2 semesters if that is all you would need to qualify for acceptance into a BSN. The same classes would be required for an ASN but you might as well go for BSN since both would require 4 semesters considering that you only need those other classes like AP1 and 2 and Micro. But def check all the class requirements for any programs you are interested in. All pre req requirements are all on each schools website.

[Flower331]

The hospital I work at in Nashville is LPN free. I would definitely NOT start with that if you plan to relocate here. Vanderbilt won't hire new grad ASN nurses from my understanding, but will hire ASN if you have 5+ years of experience. Most of the TriStar hospitals will easily hire ASN new grads. Honestly, I would look into BSN programs around the area for the best chance of a decent new grad job.

[MyOwnBlueSky]

Aquinas College is a small Catholic college known for a great nursing school in the area. It doesn't matter if you are out or in state since it's a private school. I went there, not being a Catholic but the nuns are a great inspiration, and felt they were a great school and prepared me well. I got my ASN and had no problem finding a job in 2009 on a med-surg floor.[/quote']

Check with Aquinas first....My friend just told me last week that Aquinas is phasing out their ADN program and will now only offer BSN and MSN. Hope that helps.