Need help making a decision RN VS BSN

AliNajaCat · Nov 14, 2016

RN is not a degree, it's a license. You will be an RN once you graduate from any school accredited to prepare people to sit the NCLEX licensure exam by your state, and then you sit it and pass it. However, you will need the BSN to get into any graduate program, including CRNA or NP (and the good ones are getting picky about those online courses, so don't hang your hat on doing that quick-and-dirty).

You will never get into CRNA school right after you graduate from your BSN school, because there will be years of people with more experience in critical care ahead of you (a big prerequisite). So ... in the interests of time and better education, investigate reputable brick-and-mortar BSN programs, see if they will accept any prereqs from your local community college if time and money are issues, then get great grades, get admitted to the BSN program, and go to work for 4-8 years. Then ...

rfutrell · Nov 14, 2016

Thank you for the reply, my question however wasn't how the process goes I should have made that more clear, I am aware that I will need to have my BSN and have ICU experience. The school I would like to go to actually requires a year however they recommend two years of ICU experience. I'm just trying to decide if I should go to this RN program I was accepted into or go the BSN route. I have a 3.7 GPA so I'm not worried about not getting in. Thanks again for the info.

andrea3434 · Nov 14, 2016

If you go to the "RN" school (I'm assuming that means it's an ASN? I might be confused), what is your plan to get your BSN you need to obtain your CRNA? What is the reason you would choose this school over the BSN school?

rfutrell · Nov 15, 2016

Yeah ASN sorry I figured either term would be appropriate. If I go the ASN route which I already am currently accepted and would start in janurary I would go to a university to do my RN to BSN. The other option I have would be to apply this semester I would start in the fall. I only am concerned because of one the schools grading system, time isn't an issue for me because it would be such a short period of time. I know for CRNA school they want high GPAs

UnicornMagic · Nov 15, 2016

Most nursing schools have a tougher grading scale.

rfutrell · Nov 15, 2016

They have tougher grading scales but they're on a +/- scale. Not a 93% for a B

andrea3434 · Nov 15, 2016

I would probably just go to the school you were accepted at. A lot of people will put thoughts into your head about nursing school being next to impossible. I am getting better grades in school now then I was in prerequisites. It might be tougher for you but I'm willing to bet the other school is tough too. Just do the best you can.

rfutrell · Nov 15, 2016

Im not saying one school is easier than the other. I want to be challenged and pushed to the edge I know CRNA is going to be insane. Heard from my uncle who is a CRNA. I'm just worried about the grading system. Not to mention someone I spoke to graduated 2nd in their class with a 3.0. Yes you'll be able to raise your gpa doing your BSN but how much you know?

UnicornMagic · Nov 16, 2016

They have tougher grading scales but they're on a +/- scale. Not a 93% for a B

Actually, many are. Just search grading scaleâ€ on the forums here. There are a ton of threads on this topic.

Getting an A in nursing school is possible, though very difficult. If you put the time in, anything is possible :)

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 16, 2016

I did the ADN first so I could work as an RN and gain experience while completing the BSN. It enabled me to get a jump in to critical care (ICU) over people I know who did the BSN. We're actually finishing our BSNs at the same time, but I've got nearly 2 years' experience. When I'm ready to apply for NP, I'll more than fulfill the 2 years critical care requirement. The ADN program I attended had a tougher grading scale than the university BSN program in our area. All exams had to be 81% or higher or it was considered a failure. Med math had to be passed with 95% or higher or it was a failure. The BSN program only required a C- or higher (C- = 78%). So, those of us who made it through the ADN program had terrific GPAs. Getting an A in nursing school is definitely do-able. I had a 4.0 in all my courses, except 2 (just missed a 4.0 by 0.3 points and 0.7 points, respectively).

If you've got a guaranteed seat in the ADN program, I say go for it. You can work on your BSN while you're working as a nurse. If you want to be a CRNA, you're going to need to work on an acute care or step-down unit to get some experience before you transition in to critical care. We've got people here on the ICU simply getting their 1 to 2 years experience in order to apply for CRNA programs. Many of them did the same thing and got the ADN first and worked on the BSN after getting a nursing job. Just my own personal 2 cents :)

It's all about what fits your goals & needs. Check with some of the nurses in the hospitals you want to work in and see what the hiring climate is like for ADN vs. BSN.

rfutrell · Nov 16, 2016

Thanks for the input, as for the hospital I want to work at they will hire me right out of the ADN program, they actually like people graduating out of the ADN program I'm in. I'm just worried about the grading scale. I know nursing school is challenging a lot of the schools in my area are on a +/- scale which helps the GPA a little. I'm leaning more towards the ADN program and I think that's what I am going to do. I appreciate all the advice from everyone. I guess this way once I finish the program I'll be able to work on my CCRN after getting hired and all that as well as getting my BSN.