Need advice on nursing route

[sbarry0506]

I need opinions please! I am trying to figure out the best (and hopefully cheapest) route to take. My overall goal is to become an NP in pediatrics oncology. I have already completed all prereq's for California ADN and BSN programs. With my husband working on his Biochemistry degree, deciding where to go and which route to take, that would be the best for both of our degrees, has become a huge headache. Here are my current, and top,two choices:

1: Stay in current town and attend the ADN program Fall '14 (after being on the waitlist for 3 years) at the local CC then bridge to a BSN then MSN.

2: Skip ADN, move to one of two cities for a CSU to attend a BSN program Spring '14. I was only 4 points away from school A in the Fall, and with my current TEAS score and total points I have a great chance to be accepted into school B. Both cities scare me, mostly because of the recent jump in crime and my husband would be commuting 2 hours to school so I could be living alone the majority of the week.

More than likely neither of us would be working so we would likely be surviving on financial aid and student loans. Does anyone know approx how the bridge programs cost in California?

[TexRN, BSN, RN]

Stay safe, away from crime and student loans. They aren't worth it.

[ambitiousBSN]

Based on your description of crime rate and the fact your husband would have to commute 2-hours, you should attend an ADN program. It would be less money for your degree, and you wouldn't have to move and cause your husband to commute back-and-forth. Not to mention, once you finish the ADN program and get a job in a hospital, chances are you could get tuition assistance to help when you complete the bridge program. Many bridge programs can be completed online, too! :-)

[zoe92]

ADN! The factors in your case make it a better choice. It would also help you financially.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Given where you want to live after graduation ... What will your job opportunities be if you choose the ADN route? In some places, new ADN grads have a little chance of finding a decent job. In other places, it is not so bad. But don't assume you can get a good job in a hospital as a new grad ADN unless you have thoroughly checked out the job market in your desired location.

[sbarry0506]

My main concern about the crime is how much of a baby I am when I'm home alone at night or driving into the wrong side of town. My husband has family in the same city as school A so I would always have help when I am alone or stuck. Someone from my previous classes is attending school B so with some luck, I could have one of the best study buddies. Also, my husband will be attending school B a little over halfway through whichever program I choose so there's still a possibility of commute or he might have to postpone his classes (which I would never ask him to do no matter how many times he says it would be okay). I have looked into bridge programs, and both schools offer an online option. I know California is becoming strict with hiring ADN vs BSN. The local hospitals here are only hiring BSN's at this point. But we will be moving to Texas for my husbands masters and doctorate after we complete all classes/programs in California.

[ScientistSalarian]

I was sort of in the same boat as you last year (minus the husband) and I went with my local community college ADN program. With the scholarships I've been awarded they're actually paying me to attend, and I've also been able to keep my part-time lab gig in order to save up for my BSN while I'm going through the 2-year program. I know that it's nigh on impossible to get a job here in CA with just an ADN so I'm planning on applying to CSU RN-BSN programs immediately; if I can get work as an RN while I'm completing my BSN, great, if not, no big deal. As far as I can tell CSU bridge programs charge the same tuition rate as the traditional BSN route (~ $3000/semester); you'll just be paying for fewer semesters of instruction depending on which program you enroll in.