Need help to convince parents!

[NateH]

Greetings! I am Nate and I am a junior from high school. I recently just job shadowed at a hospital and feel really destined for it. Before then, my parents and I were looking at 4 year colleges that had the BSN program. I recently had a discussion with the nurses today that said that it but would be wiser if I got my ADN first, then get a job and go for the Accelerated BSN progam to finish up my BSN. Which one is cheaper? Which takes less time? I find the ADN route more appealing because while I am finishing up my BSN program I will get EXPERIENCE, which I understand is a vital part of being a nurse and getting to what floor you want. My parents are mad because I do well in school and that I shouldnt settle for a community college. But at this point, I really don't care what people think of my intellectual standing is( which is not right to judge a person that goes to a community college but this certainly happens) I am just looking for an option that will be better for ME and my career into the future. Any input will be helpful. Thank you!

[JjoBsn]

Go straight into the 4 year BSN program. Do not go for your ADN first. Many of the ADN nurses I work with wish they had done the BSN route in the first place.

[rn/writer, RN]

Welcome, Nate.

Three years ago, I would have said get the ADN and use tuition reimbursement from an employer to bridge to BSN. Back then that was a practical and wonderful way to go. Now with the tightening of the economy, employers may strongly prefer BSN grads because it helps facilities pursuing Magnet status and it reduces the tuition reimbursement money spent down the road.

Another hazard of going ADN first is that life happens. You fully intend to go back . . . after you get a bit of experience, after you've saved up x number of dollars, after you take the trip you've been planning for a long time, after you replace your car, after you pay for the engagement ring, etc. Even if you stay single and childless for a while, other interests and obligations can place detours and distractions in your path.

If you pursue your BSN when you're just out of high school you'll have many more options immediately available to you that might elude you for another decade if you go the piecemeal route. You can work and use tuition reimbursement for a master's degree. You can then go into advanced practice of some kind. You can work for a couple of years to get your feet under you and then do travel nursing all over the country to find out where you want to end up. You can do this with an ADN or diploma, too, but traveling definitely makes BSN completion more challenging.

For those who have to work full time and/or juggle the responsibilities of a family, the ADN is the most flexible option, but I'd encourage anyone who has the resources and time to enroll in a BSN program to make the most of that opportunity.

In the short term, I'd suggest that you look into volunteer opportunities in health care now. And train as a CNA as soon as you're 18. Doing these things will help to familiarize you with terminology and culture of the medical world

I wish you the best in your endeavors.

[GM2RN]

Good Advice here.

If I could have I would have done the college life experience, but I was a single parent, so I went the comnumity college route. It took 2.5 years going full time to get my pre-reqs done, and 3 years of applying to nursing schools before finally getting in, then 2 years of nursing school.

It took me 8 months to land a almost full time nursing job, in a nursing home as all the hospitals in my area require a BSN, so back to school. I have only 12 credits away from the BSN now, but it has been a very looooong road to get here.

While a ASN may figure out to be faster and cheaper on paper, it may be faster just to get the BSN, plus you do get to have the college life experience....something I wish I was able to have had.

I can second this.

I intended to go the ADN route, then get my BSN while working. But nursing is a second career for me. I was out of a job with bills to pay and I couldn't afford to wait 2-3 years just to get into the nursing program at my local CC. I actually finished my BSN sooner than I would have with the ADN due to the long wait to get into the program.

[Bhavana]

If I was your age, and time was on my side, I would go the regular college route. Most of the hospitals in my area are not even willing to consider new grads without the BSN now, so thinking you can get your associates and work for experience while getting the BSN may not work out - Jobs are scarce for ADN's. I'd just get it it all over with in one shot. Plus, the university/college degree does carry a wee bit more prestige! And, you won't have to worry about working while you get the BSN, meaning you can focus on your GPA, keep it up there where it needs to be. Some employers do consider your GPA, as competition out there is tough right now, lots of nurses competing for not many jobs.

Good luck!

[GM2RN]

If I was your age, and time was on my side, I would go the regular college route. Most of the hospitals in my area are not even willing to consider new grads without the BSN now, so thinking you can get your associates and work for experience while getting the BSN may not work out - Jobs are scarce for ADN's. I'd just get it it all over with in one shot. Plus, the university/college degree does carry a wee bit more prestige! And, you won't have to worry about working while you get the BSN, meaning you can focus on your GPA, keep it up there where it needs to be. Some employers do consider your GPA, as competition out there is tough right now, lots of nurses competing for not many jobs.

Good luck!

The part about the GPA is a good point, and I'd like to add that even though you may not have any intentions of pursuing an advanced degree right now, things have a way of changing. In 5, 10, or even 20 years (MANY people go back to school in their 40's and 50's for all kinds of reasons), you may decide to pursue higher education and your undergrad GPA will play a big role, possibly determining whether or not you get into the program of your choice.

[leslie :-D]

i too, think you should take full advantage of your parents paying for a bsn eduation.

the trend in nursing, has been heading in that direction anyways.

i can promise you one thing:

if you don't get your bsn now, you will wish you had.

much luck to you, sweetie.:balloons:

leslie