Need advice - bail on my accelerated BSN for an ADN?(long)

lannisz · Oct 15, 2006

I felt this way and I did a 6 semester BSN. Nursing school is a crazy time, so I would get it overwith as soon as possible. It doesn't get any better. It's so hard to get into a program, and who is to say that you won't have to start all over in an ADN program. I would stick with it and battle in the trenches as best you can. Nursing school is hard, so try to keep your chin up and always remember to look at the big picture. Good luck!

I'm glad you decided to stick with it! I agree with this. You are half way there! I know it's hard, I know there's tons of BS in the program (I hated the theory classes too!). Relax your grade standards just a tad and spend your energy on keeping your sanity and learning the actual nursing tasks. The ADN program is not any easier, and as my granny always said "Don't change horses midstream - you may fall off!" Nursing school is something that takes over your life no matter what program you are in...just hold on and Get-R-Dun!

DUECSON · Oct 16, 2006

I'm glad that you followed your heart to stay in the program . It will go by sooo fast. We're almost into 2007 when it seems like it was just 2005 not so long ago. It's good to talk to others that are experiencing the feelings. :wink2:

vaccinator1 · Oct 18, 2006

Bail!!! You are catching on! I have been a very proud ADN RN since 1973. You don't want to know my story ( too Long). Go ahead and get your two year RN, work for a hospital that will pay you to go back to school for your BSN. After working, gaining experience etc. you may decide nursing is not your thing. You will always keep your license and pursue another career. I am very happy not having my BSN. Never felt I needed it. Experience is where it is at. Bail!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BSNtobe2009 · Oct 18, 2006

Since you are in the 2nd semester, I would encourage you to stick it out, or, continue in the program until you have guaranteed admission and an enrollment date at the ASN.

I already have a BS in another field, but getting my ASN at a CC and then plan on getting my BSN part-time while working full-time. That will cut my loans to zero.

I know you would save $20K, but I would gladly go into that much debt (it's not like it's $50K or anything) to be in a program such as yours.

tinkrbll_bel · Oct 18, 2006

Fleur, and really anyone else who feels a duality between considering to continue with a BSN program vs. an ADN program.

First, I want to let you know that mulitcollinarity and anne74 have had some great advice, and much of what they have already said is what I wold say.

Second, I am relieved to read your Oct 13th posting talking about speaking with your fellow students! Isn't it amazing the peace of mind these serendipitous findings can bring?

I graduated in Aug 06 with my accelerated BSN. Now, I want to first say that every concern you have voiced in your postings is identical to how I was feeling almost EVERYday of nursing school, especially when I think back to a year ago. I even went to the CCs in the Denver area (there are like 6 that have ADN programs) and every single one of them were reluctant to take someone who left a BSN program, no matter how much I could give examples for why I wanted to leave (again, the same as what you said were your concerns, plus the BSN school I went to had some major organizational problems so I felt like I wasn't receiving the education I could have gotten at a CC where the atmosphere is more hands-on and intimate...if anything, this is a major plus to the ADN nurses out there). To address the organizational problems...in no other programs will you be able to manifest your destiny than in nursing programs because it is reliant on your own self will/determination through self-learning, so don't worry about the equivalent of learning in an ADN program vs. a BSN program: everyone is still subject to their own abilities to learn in the clinical setting and how much they will put themselves out there.

Also, like you, I didn't realize my counterparts were having the same concerns at the same time...and you know what, we are the ones that got ourselves through nursing school: not the teachers or instructors, etc. If you started an ADN program you'd see that they are in the exact same position with a LOT of stress and a LOT to learn, and MAJOR feelings of inadequacy that saturates your entire life. But truth is, if you started the ADN program you'd already be light years ahead of your fellow students, since you've already done a bit of the transition into nursing school that they haven't yet experienced (and most likely you'll find yourself bored and feeling awkward at that). On the flip side, if you stay with your current program, you guys already have a bond and are already supporting each other: I know this because I was in an accelerated BSN program and looking back on it, I realize now how lucky we were to be in the same boat. It's not because there are "certain" people in your program or anything, it's because you guys are experiencing this together, and in some weird way, the stress you are experiencing together and the changes you are experiencing as a result, make you bond. That is priceless. In the first few semesters we were all uncomfortable with each other, and did anything to prevent making mistakes in front of each other. In the latter half of school we felt more like brothers and sisters (heck, you spend so much time together!) and we really found we fueled each others' learning (humor, serenity, sanity, comfort, etc).

Now, the $$ thing: just as some have said: you can't equate the 20K to what CC ADN program would cost. You are comparing apples and oranges in that sense. To compare apples to apples, you'd have to factor in the cost of more semesters + the cost to get you to a BSN after your ADN. No matter what the ADNs tell you, it IS a different degree (and I am not trying to spark a superiority dispute about ADNs vs. BSNs either: you just have to admit that they are different because they are...anyone who had an ADN and then went to get a BSN will probably second that they are different: you can't listen to an ADN who says that there is no difference when they've never lived what you've lived). I've spoken with MANY RNs who first had ADNs and went back for the BSN completion: every one of them said it was much harder to do this and that there are monumental differences.

Plus, on the $ front: how much money would you be not earning waiting to start your ADN/taking the extra time to get your ADN, that you could be earning in the months that you finish your BSN earlier? I am sure that 20k would be at least equivalent to what you'd be losing.

And you are right, the theory classes and management classes seem kind of frivolous, but the second you stepped into an ADN program you'd find yourself asking "yeah, but if this happens..." or "why wouldn't you look into that?" Besides, you'll find yourself using some of that stuff by the time you are through...believe me, it will just sneak up on you!

So, I had said I was in your position just a year ago, and now I am done. Hands down I am happy that I stuck with it 20,000 times over! It didn't kill me. And it didn't kill my relationship with my husband or my family, it didn't ruin my life, and it didn't ruin my career: it made every single one of them better (much to my surprise)! Besides, I kept figuring that even though I was thinking "what if" about not going to the ADN program, if I dropped out to be in the ADN program, I'd still be thinking "what if" about the BSN program.

Ask any experienced nurse if they learned more in nursing school or on the job and 99.99% of the time they will tell you it was after they had their license that made for the most learning. Oh, and I think it was Anne74 who said that the nursing school stress peaks in the middle: this is absolutely true! It got easier after that 3rd semester (I was in a 5 semester program) and while Med/Surg 2 seems scary after Med/Surg 1, it IS...but it pays you back because this is really the time you start to realize that you DO know what you are doing AND you REALLY HAVE learned something since you began! Plus, you begin to get see that you have more questions about why things are the way they are in Med/Surg 2 and that you end up getting them answered by the content you are learning

Oh, and you mentioned that the CC at least knows you. I bet by the time this semester is over, you will feel just as comfortable in your program as the CC...again, back to that bond thing. You'd be surprised how much that dept. of nursing at your school notices about you. Sometimes talking to them, just as you did with your school mates, will bring great clarity, and maybe you can learn something from their hindsight.

Fleur, the best wishes. I promise you will not look back and regret that you stuck with it in the end! You will be a better person for it, and it will really teach you that the potential you have is far greater than you could have ever imagined!

-Bri

subee, MSN, CRNA · Oct 18, 2006

I can tell you what I would probably do. Stay right where you are. You are half-way there. It is HARD to get into nursing programs. You are in one.
I would adjust my expectations. The 4.0 is not a necessity. Aim right now to be a 'C' student. Yes, I know, the unthinkable!
This would shave a few hours of study time per week off your life. You could then devote that time to your husband, your horse, and sleep. Dust bunnies aren't important right now.
If you think you need a high GPA to get into grad school later on - remember that they do take course load into account. Worst case scenerio you could talk your way into an MSN program on probation for the first semester.
While the ADN program wouldn't be accelerated, it certainly wouldn't be a walk in the park.
I'd stay right where you are at, and learn to live with lower grades in order to have a better quality of life. A=nurse, and C=nurse too.
Again, this is what *I* would do (while moaning all the way that I can't lose the 4.0!).
Student stress is temporary, but a BSN is forever.

Multi: Your last sentence is sheer wisdom. To the OP: You can NEVER predict the future. You can't know now what your needs will be in ten years. No one ever died from an education. This is your stress speaking. You're going to have to do less classroom and more clinical as you move through the program you're in now. The day may come when you'll be grateful that you have the opportunity to move into another aspect of nursing that requires that hard-earned degree. The stress you're going through now will pass - all worthy goals require sacrifice and you're simply doing your hard time now. Better now than at 50, I assure you.

Avery205 · Oct 18, 2006

I'm glad to hear you are sticking with the program. I just graduated from an accelerated second career program in August. I don't think there was one person in our program who didn't question the decision they had made to go through the program at some point. We only survived because we were all there to support each other through some very trying times and we all made it through. Most of us have started jobs here in Michigan and across the country. You will get through it and based on your posts you will do fine. Similar to a previous post, my program was very unorganized and I didn't always feel like I was getting the best education for my money (I too spent about $20,000 in addition to losing a year of income from not being able to work for a year). My advice is to make the most out of it. It sounds like you take the initiative to learn and get the experiences you want and need in clinicals, that's the best thing you can do. Good luck to you in your program and in your future career as a nurse! You'll do great!

Summitk2 · Oct 18, 2006

Good job in sticking with the program--I think the only reasons to leave an accelerated BSN would be: not succeeding, some kind of emergency, or if you find nursing isn't for you.

It's absolutely true, that the REAL learning occurs after graduation. Nursing school is just a broad foundation and to prepare you for the NCLEX. So why waste time in school? Get it over with as fast as possible and get out there in your field of interest--especially as a 2nd career and with a spouse.

One big point to mention related to money is your additional income due to finishing school 1 year earlier. You'll probably have ~$50k extra before you would've been graduating from the ADN. This will certainly offset the extra costs of the BSN and will put you ahead in the field.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Oct 18, 2006

Stick with it you are half way through. Most ADN programs have long waiting lists, a year at least!

1studentnurse · Oct 18, 2006

Fleur-de-lis:

I know what you mean. I just finished my second semester of clinicals today. I got one C (a C+ actually) last semester and I worked so hard for that.

My program is one calendar year (May to May) and I am sticking it out. My husband (who is from a family of MDs and RNs) told me he'll do whatever I need because he knows that the longer you drag it out, the worse things become.

I bet the house on this baby, and I ain't losin'! So far, in my various careers, I've always made money on what I've spent in time on education and this is no different. It may take a bit longer to recoup my initial investment (lots of loans), but I need to work until I retire, and I know I can as an RN.

Good luck!

Bermuda · Oct 18, 2006

Absolutely hang in there... it IS work.. but you will be glad you did. You wanted to do this and if you stay focused you can follow through. Once you start with the BSN I believe your end result should be that. Your handsome man will be waiting for you and so will your horse. Time out for you! Hang in there! Good luck in your decision ...bottom line is " do what you think is best for you..." :wink2:

fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2006

Wow - the wisdom just keeps on coming! Thank you all so much!