Not ur usual ADNvsBSN ?? please answer

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Jul 1, 2011

I was going to say "The employers around you will be the deciding factor". No harm in getting the ADN (you plan on going far beyond that anyway) IF you can find work with it.

You already have an LPN license, so I guess wherever you are working offers tuition assistance? Or am I wrong? Either way, I guess if I were in your shoes, I'd go LPN 2 BSN, save the time (hence save tuition more than likely) then get my feet wet working as a BSN. Once you are settled enough to go back to school, make sure w/e employer you choose has tuition reimbursement..........then roll on from there.

Plus, and this might matter more with having a child.........skipping the ADN might save your from moving, which might help them. Having the BSN gives you a better opportunity to find work right where you are at. Unless you prefer to move.........then that don't matter so much.

jazzystudent · Jul 1, 2011

Hi, Thanks for your quick response as i need all the help i can get. However maybe I explained something incorrectly. I am not an LPN I am still an undergrad student trying to decide whether getting an aas in nursing(RN) with a year is worth me doing first while working non my BSN, rather than just getting my bSN in 3.5 years?

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Jul 1, 2011

Hi, Thanks for your quick response as i need all the help i can get. However maybe I explained something incorrectly. I am not an LPN I am still an undergrad student trying to decide whether getting an aas in nursing(RN) with a year is worth me doing first while working non my BSN, rather than just getting my bSN in 3.5 years?

Ah. Well, I did (am doing) the ADN 2 BSN 2 MSN track. Being able to earn an ADN salary while in school is a big help, and I do get tuition assistance. I've been nursing a little over 5 years now though and I've just started back to school. That was too long to wait, even though 2 years of it was spent travel nursing.

I guess it does come down to........finding work as an ADN. If you can, then it might be best. On the other hand, if you can't.........BSN is kinda what people are looking for these days. With being willing to relocate, if you are willing to work off shifts, I imagine you will find work though. Another thing to consider (again, because you have a child), is you might have to have a little bit higher standards on where you are willing to move to than some other GNs. Can't move into a bad neighborhood for the work if its not right for your young one.

Well, I guess if I had to choose I'd still say go with the BSN, avoid having to move somewhere you don't like and you're more likely to be better off when its time to work full time AND continue school.

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 1, 2011

If you're willing to relocate, why not finding an accelerated BSN program? Some take only about 15 months I've heard. It will be crazy, with your pregnacy especially, and you won't have a life, but you can get your BSN fast.

loriangel14, RN · Jul 1, 2011

If the OP doesn't already have her LPN then why does she mention taking the accelerated LPN-BSN program?

caliotter3 · Jul 1, 2011

Most people go with the program that accepts them or the program that accepts them first. If you have multiple admissions, then pick the best of the lot. If given the choice, go with the BSN and get it out of the way now.

ms_sgr, BSN, NP · Jul 1, 2011

Hi jazzy student,

My advice is to make sure that you have a good support system. Being a new mom and juggling nursing school can be challenging. Clinicals start at 6:30am, so keep that in mine because this is where your support system comes into place. I know that you want to take the shorter route, but sometimes that isn't the best route to take. A traditional nursing program is stressful, and an accelerated one is even more. A lot of hospitals offer externships, which is something to consider if you want to go the bsn route. I actually lived in Memphis, went to Southwest TN community college. I was on nursing program and dropped out because the clinical hours interfered with my childrens daycare hours, so i changed my major to accounting then computers. I finally graduated from University of Memphis, and here I am 14 years later back in nursing

school. I've been in school since 2009, and let me tell you time flies by. I have a year

left, thank goodness. I decided to go for my BSN, and I was able to land an externships. I'm in GA now, so if you feel like you have to relocate, hey by all means do it. Just take some time and really think about what you want to do, have realistic goals and a good support system and I believe that you will be able to accomplish what

eslvn · Jul 2, 2011

I am thinking that in your area, an ASN program is to get your LPN??? Just a little confused. If you know for a fact you will get right into the LPN to BSN program, do that, the increase in salary will help. However some LPN/LVN get stuck there, meaning to go back but never do because of family circumstance, fincancial, etc. I am an LVN thinking that would be faster to my RN. WRong there is no fast way to RN. If I had waited to be an RN I would still be on the waitlist. Its hard to say, but if it were me and I was accepted to a BSN program, I would do the BSN!!! Employers will choose a BSN over an ADN due to limited jobs.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Jul 2, 2011

What is it that you want to do with a PhD? How you answer this is key. If you know, for instance, that you never want to leave your hometown or region, and that you would like to teach at the local community college or state U, I think you could do either. However, if you have higher aspirations, you should be aware that there is significant bias in many academic settings against the RN to BSN route that will "taint" you. If you want a tenure track academic career at a top ranked school, better to get the BSN at a strong 4 year University.

A person who is interested in a tenure track academic career of some prestige must plan very carefully. One does not end up tenured faculty at UCSF or Penn starting out at Small County Community College, no matter how strong their program and how good their NCLEX scores. If an Ivy League, "FAAN" career isn't what you are envisioning, you can be less anal, lol.

Good luck.

TinyRNgrl · Jul 2, 2011

I am confused. Your not a LPN?

I am wondering what RN program you think you can complete in only 1 year.

Are you maybe thinking of a LPN program? That you could complete in 1 year.

And like someone above metioned, if you are not a LPN, why are you considering a LPN-RN route.

Your post doesn't make sense.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jul 2, 2011

Oh you have me wringing my hands OP. Nursing is far from a sure thing.

It used to be a sure thing about 10 yrs ago, but that's long gone. Along especially with the post about needing support because you just will not be home with your child much during this process, so many are advancing their edu to nowhere but debt. Simply it's not going to get you better income. Sure it might help with employment, but here's something to consider. Spending money and time for nursing gets you nothing but barely qualified for nursing jobs these days. Most employers now refuse new graduates. Very few feel any need to train new nurses. You see, it's only about profit now. Nursing like becoming an MD used to have an assumed "residency" period. This training was supplied by hospitals. Now they don't care to provide this training much. Simply you cannot practice without it and not harm someone or chance your license. There are thousands of nurses out of work, mostly newer grads from the last 3 years or so. Many are defaulting on loans. They cannot interview in the outside business world and take a decent paying job because, well, nurses can only do nursing, and still suffer from the "handmaiden" syndrome.

I wonder if you might have another interest for education, that would give you opportunity outside nursing? and then pursue nursing when you are somewhat on firmer ground. That way, if nothing pops for you in nursing, you can keep the outside job... I have as of late seen many medical/dental office management jobs. Just a few admin classes, and you are off. OK money, and some stability for when you need it.

Pursuing nursing can be a lot like panning for gold. You get so excited, but soon you realize you are not going to hit that jackpot (career-wise, finacially) after all the effort, and none of it is anything that you can control, there are too many other forces at work.