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Discussion

Please help me choose!

Hello everyone.

I am planning to apply to several RN programs (ADN, ABSN, and BSN) in my area. I have a Bachelor's Degree already, and I'm trying to figure out which is the best route for me to take. Eventually I would like to have a BSN.

The main problem I have is that I need to work part-time. I am not sure how I will be able to make ends meet living off of student loans only, and I really don't want to do that anyway. However, I am open to hearing feedback/experiences about not working during the ABSN programs.

I have the following options (I live in South Florida):

FAU - ABSN, public university, they do not permit students with a BA/BS to apply for their generic BSN track. I love the idea of being finished with a BSN within about 1 year, but I will not be able to work at all. I also wonder how much student aid I would qualify for having already earned a Bachelor's Degree. Campus is nearby home.

Broward College - ADN, significantly more affordable than both the private and public universities in the area, offers a hybrid (online didactic/in person clinicals) program, and eventually I can choose to do their online RN-BSN program. Earning a BSN will take longer than the other options obviously. Campus is nearby home.

Nova - Traditional BSN, expensive private university, I will have some flexibility with working and come out with a BSN rather than an ADN. But like I said, expensive! Campus is nearby home.

FIU - Traditional BSN or ABSN, public university, less expensive than Nova, but the campus is very far from me (at least an hour, maybe more depending on traffic).

So, the ADN program at Broward College is very appealing to me right now with the location, cost, and flexibility as to working, but getting an ADN concerns me considering how valuable having a BSN seems to be these days. Does anyone have any insight? Assuming I am even accepted into all of these programs...ha! :(

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    I am not sure if I am posting in the correct area, forgive me. I am somewhat new to this website.

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    My sister went to Nova (for something unrelated to nursing) and her boyfriend is currently in their DO program. I know they both really like the school. She had a roommate that was in Nova's nursing program. I believe the roommate liked the program, but I do remember my sister stating that the curriculum was rather intense (as most nursing schools can be at times).

    I would figure out what you would like to do after you graduate, whether you plan on working on a hospital unit, public health, clinic, etc. This sometimes determines which degree is needed. Certain specialties will only hire BSN nurses. In addition to that, if there is a particular hospital you would like to work at, I would check out their requirements for hiring. For example, the magnet hospitals around me almost only hire BSN nurses, although I'm sure they do make some exceptions for tons of experience. (The only-hiring-BSN was told to me at a presentation by a recruiter from the nearby Children's Hospital.)

    It does seem to me that the ADN programs near me better prepare their nurses for actual nursing practice - better/more clinical experiences, etc. Although I am not in Florida, so I am not sure how it is down there.

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    I'm in BCs program at north campus & I love it [emoji178] also am able to pay out of pocket and won't be graduating with any debt. Their BSN is either a year or 18 months not sure so I'll be doing that right after my ASN is finished. It's a great program and hospitals love BC nurses. I also work on just the weekends fri sat and Sunday it's a lot but definitely possible

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    I'm at BC north as well. I heard some rough things about the other bc sites but I love the north campus program. I also pay out of pocket and work 20 hours a week. I travel from west palm to attend because they have the highest pass rate and a lot of students are getting jobs prior to graduation (there's an article you can google). Broward health system is one of the largest in the nation. Bsn bridge program is designed for the working nurse and is online. So once you graduate in 18 months, you can work as a RN while doing your BSN online. Some hospitals will even pay towards the BSN! There are a lot of hospitals that will take an associates or if they require a bsn they will provide a contract that states you will complete your bsn by a certain time (generally 3 years or 6 years is what I've seen).

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