Please Please Help What ....

NurseWeasel · Dec 26, 2002

I voted ADN since rarely is the BSN worth the extra time and financial investment in the long haul. You can always go ADN and then bridge to a BSN later. Just get those all important RN letters behind your name and get working, girl! :)

Take no more than two sciences at the same time. I'd also advise against trying to take a science class during the summer session (or any accelerated session) since you'll need the time to "process" the information and keep up with the homework. Many people will say take only 1 science at a time, but only you know your capabilities and available time, so that's up to you.

Are you able to go to school full time or will you also have to work? That will make a difference. I'm one of those people who prefer a really crammed schedule so I get done sooner, but I'm also blessed with brilliance (grin) so I can handle it.

If it was me I'd do the Bio-01, Mth03, Eng01, ist-117 (whatever that is), Hlt-143, spd-100, and std-100 first if at all possible. That's a lot of classes though. Just start whoopin' out the 01's or 100's and go on from there. The higher the number the harder the class.

Make an appointment with your advisor at the community college or wherever you're going, and take a list with your multitude of questions along. You'll feel alot better after the talk.

Good luck and I wish you peace.

renerian, BSN, RN · Dec 26, 2002

I voted BSN. Not much money but your options for employment are much higher. Depends on if you want to stay in a staff position or try management. In Columbus a BSN or BS is on most job descriptions. You can work as an ADN.

What do you think sounds better to you?

renerian

researchrabbit · Dec 26, 2002

I voted BSN. However, you need to factor in money and time as well. (school isn't cheap!). You can do more with a BSN. Then again, getting an ADN now doesn't keep you from doing a BSN later.

It also depends on what kind of nursing you want to do.

You might consider taking some of your courses correspondence or TV (lots of schools have this option now). You just have to be self-directed enough to finish them.

plumrn, BSN, RN · Dec 26, 2002

Go for the BSN. You will glad you did once its all done. Nursing is changing and who knows what things will be like in 5 or 10 yrs.

Always be prepared.

BellaTerra2002 · Dec 26, 2002

Since I'm not a nurse I probably don't have a real vote in this, but I agree with that a BSN is not necessarily the first way to go. You're in your 30s. Get your ADN and start working. You can get a BSN later if you want to or have to.

As for having to have a BSN in the future tp be a nurse, I am sure that will happen. However, I have a lot of 'work experience' behind me, and what I think will happen is one of two things: Nurses who already have their ADNs and are working will be "grandfathered (or grandmothered) in." In other words, if you're already an RN, RNs with only ADNs will hardly be given their pink slips. The nursing shortage is too real and very bad. OR nurses with ADNS will be given a period of time in which to complete the BSN, say 3-5 years.

Last year the job requirements for my job changed and there became three tiers instead of just two (along with a hefty salary increase for the third level). To even apply for the job, you must have an AA degree in something (but there are so many people now who have a Bachelors Degree and who need a job that someone with only an AA degree probably wouldn't make it). Then you need four more 'points' (of which a BA/BS degree is only 2) to make the highest third level. I don't even have a AA degree until next June, but I was 'grandmothered in' to the highest third level because I've been working at this particular job for almost 20 years.

So, for all it's worth, that's my two cents. :) Frankly, thanks to this board, I'm thinking about becoming an LPV/LVN first. Sounds as though it will be good training and make nursing school easier. If nothing else, I'm sure going to take a medical terminology course.

Stay around here, lurk, read, ask. The LPNs/RNs have a great deal of information that you're going to need before you start nursing school (or even your pre-reqs!), and they're always willing to help. I can't believe what I've learned in just two or so weeks. I can't believe how totally ignorant I was. This is a great place!

NurseWeasel · Dec 26, 2002

I feel obligated to be forthright here. I'm going for my BSN and that's what I always intended to do (even almost 20 years ago before I got talked into switching to business [blech]).

However, I gave you the advice I'd give anyone else. Get the ADN out of the way if it's the quickest route to a job as an RN. Then once you're employed bridge to BSN if you're so inclined.

In my area there's not a whole lot of difference in employment options or salary between the two, and I'd rather see someone working as a nurse a year or two earlier than still slogging through classes and accumulating student loans.

In my situation I found an accelerated program that recognizes my prior bachelors degree and it's actually faster for me to go through this program and get a BSN than it would be for me to get my ADN at the local community college. Kewlness!

Again, just clarifying. Good luck to you. Follow your heart and wallet.

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Dec 26, 2002

The BSN is only necessary if you want to go into management positions.

I was at the same point as you....trying to figure out which one to go for. I chose ADN because it will get you working faster. Plus, most hospitals around here offer tuition reimbursement to pursue further education in the nursing field. Also, it seems like the ADN program provides more "hands on" experience as opposed to the BSN which entails a lot of theory.....which is typical for any type of bachelor's degree.

Bottom line though, you need to figure out what will work best for you. You also should check to see what the waiting list is like at each school you plan to apply to.

How did you get your LPN? I ask this because the college I go to has a transition program for LPN's wanting to become RN's. There are still prereq's to take, but not nearly as many as someone who doesn't have LPN experience. Plus, you get to skip a semester of fundamental nursing-----since you have the nursing experience already.

Have you talked with a college counselor? If not, I would definitely check out all of your options. In the meantime, take the classes that would be required for either program....like english, anatomy, psychology..........and whatever else until you get more information as to which degree to pursue.

It's a good idea to get started now. I am hearing more & more about how they are phasing out the LPN's in the future.

Let us know what you decide.

Jen

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Dec 26, 2002

You can always bridge later.

**SKM-NURSIEPOOH, BSN, RN** · Dec 26, 2002

you could bridge into a lpn to adn-rn program & take two years to complete...including your prerequisites...providing if your a full-time student of course then you could bridge into the rn to bsn program which usually takes nine months to complete full-time.

or you could just go for the rn-bsn program...now some universities are even offerring lpn to rn-bsn bridge programs which completes within 18 months...this would certainly depend on where you live & again, if your going full-time. the traditional bsn programs usually doesn't give any credits for lpn courses & you would be considered a generic student...as if you had no prior nursing at all. these programs usually take 2 years full-time...providing that you're transferring in the junior year from completing your prerequisite at a community college.

at any rate, both the adn & the bsn programs require the same prerequisites in order to be accepted into the nursing program. it usually takes a full year of roughly 15 to 19 credits per semester in order to complete the adn program in two years time...sometime i've seen people take three years (a total of four with the prerequisites) before graduating from an adn-rn program...again, it all depend on your school. i can't say that you'll be more marketable with a bsn than an adn with this nursing shortage...but sometime down the line, we might have a surplus of nurses (probably unlikely) & hospitals might get picky/choosey as to what speciality an adn/diploma rn would continue to practice in....one never will know.

any road...good luck in your endeavors.

cheers!

moe.

Love-A-Nurse · Dec 26, 2002

regardless of your choice, much success to you.

peachsncrem29 · Dec 27, 2002

Well thank you all for your replys....

looking for more replys too this

Please Please Help What ....

what should i do