Need help!

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2015

dude you need to go to the schools and come up with a plan. You are asking about whether classes will be "obsolete" if you do this or that. No one on this board can say exactly what classes will be "obsolete" if you go to "CSU" or wherever else.

You either get an ADN in nursing or a BSN. If you get the ADN you can then go for an ADN to BSN program if you desire.

What do you want to do? Some places do not hire new grad ADN and others do. Many management positions require a BSN. Grad school requires BSN. You want to do bedside nursing only then an ADN MAY be all you need.

slow your roll and come up with a game plan working with the schools. And statements like "I heard"....from WHO? If you get facts then work with those. "Wouldn't it make things easier"?? What "things' and define "easier". You are assuming we all understand what you think is "easier" is and what "things" are.

MongoSmash · Jul 2, 2015

Look into hiring rates for ADN in your area. If you can find a job then that may be a solution so that you can at least get on your feet. After that you may be able to find a bridge program from ADN-BSN or even straight to a Masters. You can use the rest of your financial aid and stretch as far as possible.

Most pre-req classes don't really expire. Some of the sciences do but they are typically good for 5-10 years. You just have to check with the program about that.

Are you using the GI Bill? I know they send out the letter stating how many months left and all, but some schools can help you stretch this out by only submitting certain classes. If you qualify for a grant or loan that may help you make up the rest. Also if you are a veteran, find out if any of your training will apply to anything. You should at least get PE type credits.

Tasp72 · Jul 2, 2015

Thanks for the advice, Mongo. My area has a pretty decent hiring rate of ADNs. While the ultimate goal is to become an RN, many hospitals in California are now converting to hiring just BSN RNs. However, hospitals such as my hometown urgent care actually have programs that provides funding for ADNs that pursue their BSNs within 2 years. While I would love to work on my ADN first, I cannot do that until next year. Right now, I am looking for people who have been in the position of starting the pre-licensure to BSN track and then suddenly stopping to obtain their ADN and seeing if the time spent in the pre-licensure track was accumulative to the existing ADN to BSN track. While I have yet to speak to my CSU until my appointment on July 15th to "make a plan", I wanted to obtain the viewpoint and advice of nurses who MIGHT have been in similar situations (keeping in mind random variables such as specific class requirements) and ask if stopping in the middle of the track was, for lack of a better term, "worth it". I just want to know if I am allocating my resources well and what better place than a website full of RNs. Oh, I am not a vet.

MongoSmash · Jul 2, 2015

Oh ok. Sounds like your schools may do it a little different. Here I can go take my ADN at the community college. It still requires a number of pre-req's, all of which would transfer to a BSN program if I were accepted. May have to take a couple more classes prior to the BSN (which is my current situation) but anything pre-req's I take for the BSN woud also transfer to the community college if I end up having to go that route due to non-acceptance.

But we don't really have the pre-licensure set up like your talking about. For example at the 4-year college I am attending there is a core class setup that is common to all degrees. Then there are some classes that are specific to prepare you for your degree program. But only one of those is an actual nursing type class. Which is a healthcare professionalism class. The other classes could be applied to any biology major if I chose to go that route instead or they could be applied to the ADN program.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jul 2, 2015

You need to realize in CA, it is very difficult for new grads. It is a saturated market out there, which is why it is so difficult to get into a school. And that is why most hospitals are going to hiring BSN only. Because they can.

You need to figure out what path to take and talk to the school about the requirements to apply, as each school is different. You will need excellent grades and a good score on whatever entrance exam they require.

LJR89 · Jul 2, 2015

I'm sure it depends on your school. But a lot of places allow you to petition to extend financial aid. I'm in that process right now and talking to financial aid advisors. It's been an easier process than I thought it would be! I've already been accepted to a program which makes it significantly easier to argue, but I still think it would benefit you to speak to a financial aid advisor/officer. Good luck! And stay positive!

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2015

How the heck does the PA know what you can and can't do? Talk to somebody in the admissions office/academic advising/financial aid office and get the real scoop.

Good luck! Let us know what happens!

Tasp72 · Jul 31, 2015

UPDATE: Thank you all for the advice. I was able to go to my CSU orientation and asked the lady a million questions. I feel better going there but ran into another problem. For the Prelicensure program, I will need to raise my TEAs score a little to make the average on acceptance. (Overall average GPA is around 3.81 with a TEAs score of 81 while I am at a 3.4 with a TEAs score of 74). I plan to retake the TEAs and apply for the prelicensure program in December while I contemplate where I am going to retake Anatomy to get my GPA up a little (The only C that I have. Killing my overall GPA and science GPA). I freaked out awhile ago but a few friends were able to encourage me, stating that they are sure someone in the program has at least 1 C. They told me to focus on getting a better TEAs score. Any advice or encouragement is welcome. Thanks everyone!