Nursing School

[Wired]

So I am tied between two different schools that offer completely different nursing programs. I'm planning on going for a Bachelor degree in nursing. At the first school it offers a straight Bachelor degree program and it could be completed in 2 1/2 years. It cost close to twice the tuition of the other school though. At the second school, I could get my Associates degree and get a job as a full-time RN while completing the rest of my Bachelors degree online. Which path should I take?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Select the school with the most affordable tuition that is accredited by the ACEN or CCNE. It makes no sense to pay more for a nursing degree than necessary.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I would look at the quality of both schools -- and the opportunities for financial aid. Sometimes, a more expensive school has more aid available that lowers the cost significantly. Don't rule out the expensive school if it is truly a better program and has financial aid available. I would never go to a school of poor quality -- even if it were free. My time is valuable.

I would also assess your local job market. What type of jobs are available for new graduate ADN's. In some communities, there are decent jobs available. But in other communities, the good jobs all require BSN's. The ADN route is only a good one if the ADN school is a good one and you can get a good job as a new graduate.

In short ... you need to do more homework about the 2 schools and your local job market before you can make an informed decision.

[RunBabyRN]

Wat would the cost of the ADN program be combined with your BSN program? How much shorter is the ADN program? Are you guaranteed a job with your ADN?

Look at the NCLEX pass rates, accreditation, overall pass rates, reviews online... There is a lot to consider if you've been accepted to both.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

PPs have offered wise advice.

There is nothing sadder than a new grad ADN who discovers that s/he can't get a job in a hospital while pursuing that BSN. Then - when the BSN is achieved, STILL can't get into a hospital because s/he's no longer a new grad but does not have any acute care experience. The ultimate Catch-22. It happens a lot.

[llg, PhD, RN]

PPs have offered wise advice.

There is nothing sadder than a new grad ADN who discovers that s/he can't get a job in a hospital while pursuing that BSN. Then - when the BSN is achieved, STILL can't get into a hospital because s/he's no longer a new grad but does not have any acute care experience. The ultimate Catch-22. It happens a lot.

Oh, so true. I hadn't thought to include that possibility in my earlier post. But I have seen it happen many times. New ADN grad can't get a job in the field that she really wants to work in -- and eventually "settles" for any job she can get while she gets her BSN -- usually a job that is not in acute care. When she finally gets that BSN, she is not eligible for the new grad programs because she has been working as an RN for a couple of years. She gets caught in a type of nursing that she never wanted while she sees true new grads getting the acute care new grad experiences that will lead them to the jobs she originally went into nursing hoping to get. She becomes bitter.

Yep. I've seen it. So sad.