2nd Degree BSN or ADN? Please help

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2009

In my own situation, the dilemma is actually a no-brainer -> Georgetown. However, you will have to decide what's most important for you. You have to think about where you want to be after graduation and what you would like to specialize in. If your intent right out of school and long-term is to concentrate on floor nursing and you don't have any aspirations of going beyond that, then COM is it.

Sounds to me as if you're very hesitant about leaving family ties behind, and if you do attend Georgetown and accept the scholarship, are you willing to set aside 3 years of your life to work in DC after graduation? No matter where you go, you should know that life as you know it with your family and friends will change in that you won't have as much time with them.

Basically, it comes down to where you want to be after you're done with school. I say, if you're going to be in CA, you might as well go with COM. If your sights are on continuing on to graduate studies, Georgetown is the one.

sholmsen · Jul 14, 2009

Paco386, thank you. That is what I essentially have broken it down to--what are my long-term goals? At this point I think I want to go on to become a family nurse practioner. I know you're right about things changing either way with my friends and family--I won't have any time anyway, so I might as well keep my long-term goals in mind and take the plunge by moving! I can't go crazy any longer mulling over this decision. Georgetown it is. Thanks for your help! I really appreciate it.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2009

Paco386, thank you. That is what I essentially have broken it down to--what are my long-term goals? At this point I think I want to go on to become a family nurse practioner. I know you're right about things changing either way with my friends and family--I won't have any time anyway, so I might as well keep my long-term goals in mind and take the plunge by moving! I can't go crazy any longer mulling over this decision. Georgetown it is. Thanks for your help! I really appreciate it.

I'd be interested in hearing about your experience with the Georgetown application process. I am looking to apply there as well, the draw being the scholarship. I still have to complete a few of their prereqs so I am not looking to start a program there until 2011 at the earliest. I was gung-ho about attending University of Florida's accelerated BSN but recently decided to return to the Northeast where I am from originally, so Georgetown and NYU are now my top choices. Don't know if you have ever been to DC, but I love it! MANY opportunities!

Since you're in CA, I was curious to know why you had not considered other accelerated BSNs out there, which I am sure are top-notch as well (UC San Francisco for instance). I am assuming for you as well that the GU scholarship/job was a factor.

Just as an aside (something which I also have to endure) ... hopefully your boyfriend will understand and support your decision to move far away. Distance should not get in the way of your dreams and if your relationship is meant to be in the long-run no amount of disruption will kill it. I know people who have successfully survived these kind of long-distance disruptions, again .. if it's meant to be it will survive. If he ends up moving with you, no problem!

One other thing I forgot to mention in my prior post is that I hear that there appears to be a preference in certain hospitals for hiring nurses with BSNs over ADNs. Not everywhere, but a cursory review of job announcements out there demonstrate a large number of jobs requiring it, especially at the larger medical centers. I think you would be at a greater advantage overall with the BSN ... and I have not yet seen on my end that prestige of a nursing school affects the chances of getting a job. BUT, since you want to be an NP anyway, it's wise to think about that anyway for that purpose alone! Hey, good luck!

sholmsen · Jul 14, 2009

All really good points that you make. I just came back from a doctor's appointment to get my health clearance and immunization paperwork signed off on and my doctor said the same thing as you just mentioned, both about how if the relationship with my boyfriend is meant to be, it'll happen, and about having a leg up with the BSN as opposed to the ADN. The Georgetown application process was time consuming, but it was mainly stressful because I had to apply there at the same time as I applied to many other schools. The application for Georgetown was due February 1, and they responded fairly quickly. My grades are good but not perfect, so I think the essay had quite a bit to do with me landing an interview. My interview was late-March, and within a few weeks I had my response. Then, to apply for the Washington Hospital Scholarship you have to write 2 short essays, and those were due mid-April. If you want to live in the NE I would totally recommend applying to Georgetown, and I haven't even started! (Yes, I've made my final decision. My doctor's recommendation and reasoning really made it clear that it is the wiser choice.) The school is awesome--all of the advisors, nurses, etc. are very helpful and responsive to all of my questions and e-mails. You can apply while still completing your prereqs. Just refer to their website for specifics, as I think they have just made some minor changes http://nhs.georgetown.edu/academics/BSN2nd/index.html. Oh, btw, I did apply to two accelerated second degree BSN programs out here in Cali. Denied from both, USF's and Samuel Merritt's. It's SO impacted out here and extremly difficult to get in to school, let alone get a job once you've graduated. So few hospitals are hiring new grads now. Anyway, enough rambling. Thanks again for your advice!!! Good luck!

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2009

That is great to hear ... very happy for you! There are a couple of posts somewhere on this site by a GU alum who totally said that the school was not worth it. I can't recall exactly why she said that but I do recall that she said that the GU name is not well known beyond the DC metro area, a comment which I find sooooooo hard to swallow. She did say that she got a job in Chicago but that it was due to some family connections she took advantage of. She's the only one that I noticed actually had negative things to say about the school and I will have to chalk that up as a bad experience for her. The school is what you make of it, and I feel that your experience so far will be as pleasant as it has been. I for one say you made a wise choice :)

sholmsen · Jul 14, 2009

Wow, I'm shocked that a graduate first off, didn't like the program, and secondly said Georgetown was not widely known. Everyone I tell that I'm going to school there had totally heard of it, and knows that it has a good reputation and respected name. Huh. Anyway, I hope it all works out. I am confident it will. Thanks so much and good luck!

mimilaroo · Jul 14, 2009

Only you can decide what is right for you. With that being said I did my pre-reqs at College of Marin and got accepted to a far away BSN program and I went for the BSN program. Throughout nursing school I had wish I had stayed at College of Marin. Less debt, less BS from the nursing school, quicker graduation. At the same time, now that I am finally getting ready to graduate this year I am so glad I will have a BSN. In this economic climate not a lot of hospitals are hiring and the ones that are seem to really want a BSN. Not to mention I want to be a NP. So it's a hard call. I would say go to Georgetown just be sure to talk to someone who has been through the program and make sure it's worth the move, the money, and the sacrifice. Good luck to you. Those are two excellent choices!!!