Pre-Nursing Student (TX) needs advice on what track to pursue :)

U.S.A. Texas

Published

Hi,

First of all, thanks for taking the time to read & comment on my post! To give you some background information on myself: I am currently a student at The University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin), but was rejected :down: from enrolling in their upper-division BSN program last year. So, I have defaulted to my back-up plan and am graduating with a bachelor's of science in a closely related major this year :up:.

I have done some research and spoken to several other BSN students, who suggest I re-apply since my grades have gone up and because acceptance varies on the competitiveness of the applicant pool. I do have all my pre-requisites, but in the event that I do get rejected again...I would like to get the ball rolling on becoming an RN. It is my dream to be a nurse :), and eventually a nurse practitioner!

With that said, I have looked at various programs in Texas (where I would like to stay), and am weighing the benefits of each. I am willing to pursue either an ADN, BSN, or AE-MSN, but am having trouble :confused: figuring out which is the best option for me based on factors such as: location, costs, time, program requirements, and strength of the program.

For those of you in Texas who know about these programs (requirements for admission, reviews, etc.), or those who know about the benefits (aside from career advancement/promotions) of having an ADN vs. BSN vs. MSN, please feel free to comment with any info. you have!

Here are some of the programs I am interested in:

  • UT-Austin Alternate Entry Master's in Nursing (AE-MSN)
  • Austin Community College (ACC) ADN Program
  • Texas Tech Accelerated BSN
  • Texas State BSN (accelerated?)
  • Texas Women's University BSN
  • The University of Texas-Pan American BSN program
  • South Texas College (STC) ADN program

Once again, THANK YOU! for your time. I look forward to hearing from you all.

Best,

JT :redbeathe

x-posted in Students> General Nursing Student Discussions

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Specializes in PICU.

Hi JT,

Well, there are benefits to each different degree. If you get and ADN you are done with school and working that much faster. I have a BSN but work alongside ADNs in an ICU and they know just as much as I do. Many of them decide to go back to school for a BSN and our employer covers a lot of the costs. So, that's a positive. On the other hand, if you just go straight to the BSN you're already through and can go back for your masters or move into management that much faster. A masters degree will get you a job that, at least in the hospital setting, is usually not as physically demanding and you might get payed more too. I work with some PNPs who got their masters without any prior nsg experience and they are very intelligent, however, many people think that it's a good idea to work bedside for a while to gain some experience. I've never met a masters prepared nurse who didn't love their job. I guess what all this tells you is that you have to decide what's best for you. Good luck!

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Thank you so much for your reply! Very helpful! :)

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I would caution you to be wary of "alternate entry" programs. You can search on AN & discover that many people have discovered that they cannot get reciprocal licensure in any other state because their 'alternative' education does not meet the requirements set out by the new state. You never know what is going to happen in the future, and there may come a time when you need to obtain licensure in another state.

Good luck on your nursing school quest.

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HouTX, I did not know that, so thank you for letting me know! I still have more research to do!

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I am about to graduate from Texas Woman's in Dallas and I can tell you it is a pretty well respected program locally. That being said, the ADN's are respected as well. I know that our school has a fast track program for people with a bach degree already and you could finish in one full year by going year-round (I think it starts in June and ends in August???). But I would say go to a fast track BSN since you already have all the prereqs etc. Getting an ADN would be going backwards. And then let a hospital pay for you to get your MSN or go to Nurse Prac school etc. Good luck!!!

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I am about to graduate from Texas Woman's in Dallas and I can tell you it is a pretty well respected program locally. That being said, the ADN's are respected as well. I know that our school has a fast track program for people with a bach degree already and you could finish in one full year by going year-round (I think it starts in June and ends in August???). But I would say go to a fast track BSN since you already have all the prereqs etc. Getting an ADN would be going backwards. And then let a hospital pay for you to get your MSN or go to Nurse Prac school etc. Good luck!!!

Sorry for the late response. Thank you so much for your input! Since my post, I have sent in applications to a variety of programs, so all I can do is wait. Btw, congrats on graduating! : )

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I would be cautious of accelerated BSN programs. My school has one but a lot of our faculty doesn't support it. Our ABSN students start with 20 credits in a summer (12 week) semester, and it doesn't get much better.

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