Please help. ADN or BSN route?

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  1. Which route would you recommend?

    • 0
      ADN
    • BSN
    • Accelerated BSN program

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Hello everyone!

I am currently a student at a CSU and am on track to finish my Bachelors of Public Health by the Fall semester. I was looking into applying into nursing programs for the Spring Semester; however, I am unsure which route I should gear towards to since I have heard both pros and cons for both routes. Would you guys please be kind enough to take the following poll?

It would mean a whole lot. Thank you!

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Many employers in California are "BSN required/preferred." Providing it won't put you in ridiculous debt to do so, I would opt for one of the BSN programs.

Thank you very much for posting!

I have heard that as well. Though, if money is going to be an issue, would you still recommend the ADN route? OR just get loans and go with BSN?

If money is going to be an issue go the ADN route. It is going to be way more cost effective. In California if you qualify for financial aid you may also qualify for the BOG waiver at a community college. It pays your tuition so you are essentially going for free! I'm in San Diego and although I would have liked to go straight for my bsn I can't afford to go into any more debt with student loans. I have the bog waiver so it was a no brainer for me to go the ADN route and then spend about 9-$16k to get my bsn later on depending on what program I choose.

You'll be able to bridge to your BSN right after an ADN program, and many students take classes for their bsn degree in the summer. Most community colleges will be partnered with universities to get your bsn after as well. Almost all the programs here in San Diego are partnered with PLNU, or CSUSM and SDSU.

Yes you are going to need the BSN, but there are still plenty of employment options and hospitals that will hire ADNs, and if you are already enrolled in a bsn program when you interview it will help a lot.

Personally I wouldn't want to go into debt just to get the BSN a year or so quicker then doing an RN-BSN bridge. But if you can find a reasonably priced program or get a scholarship (nurse corps, etc.) then go for the BSN!

If money is going to be an issue go the ADN route. It is going to be way more cost effective. In California if you qualify for financial aid you may also qualify for the BOG waiver at a community college. It pays your tuition so you are essentially going for free! I'm in San Diego and although I would have liked to go straight for my bsn I can't afford to go into any more debt with student loans. I have the bog waiver so it was a no brainer for me to go the ADN route and then spend about 9-$16k to get my bsn later on depending on what program I choose.

You'll be able to bridge to your BSN right after an ADN program, and many students take classes for their bsn degree in the summer. Most community colleges will be partnered with universities to get your bsn after as well. Almost all the programs here in San Diego are partnered with PLNU, or CSUSM and SDSU.

Yes you are going to need the BSN, but there are still plenty of employment options and hospitals that will hire ADNs, and if you are already enrolled in a bsn program when you interview it will help a lot.

Personally I wouldn't want to go into debt just to get the BSN a year or so quicker then doing an RN-BSN bridge. But if you can find a reasonably priced program or get a scholarship (nurse corps, etc.) then go for the BSN!

Thank you so much! I have heard of the "BOG waiver" before. However, the LA county school of nursing does not offer such a fee waiver and I guess it's kinda a "community school"? Their tuition is much higher though I have heard that their education and clinicals are the best (Not to say that other's are not).

If you're in the LA area I know there are several community colleges that offer ADN programs. There's quite a few in Orange County as well. Im

pretty sure all the ccs in California offer the BOG (board of governors) waiver. Even without the waiver you're still going to pay way less for an ADN (less then 10k).

I would check out this link that has all of the BON approved programs in Cali and their pass rates. NCLEX Pass Rates

Im not familiar with LA County school of nursing but they do have high nclex pass rates over the last several years, which is great! $2400 per semester isn't too bad either, might be a little

more then some community colleges but it's still less then the cost of just one semester for some

bsn programs!

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