Which would you choose, and why?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Option A: Good Quality ADN program, 1 hour away, starts asap, total cost for 2 years will be $8,000. Can complete RN-BSN after that, mostly online, for $10,000 more, while working.

Option B: Good Quality BSN program, 30 minutes away, doesn't start for 9 more months, scholarship covers most of tuition except $8000 so costs same as community college, but must work in whatever dept they want to put me in for 3 years, although in excellent hospitals.

What would you choose, and why?

:smilecoffeecup:

Tofutti

Specializes in Cardiac Care.

I like the idea that you can get either degree for about the same cost!

My own personal opinion is that I would take the ADN route, get the degree in two years and begin making RN wages ASAP. That way, you can work on your BSN and still make decent money. That is, in fact, my educational path right now. I'm not certain I like the idea of a work contract after graduation (is that what you meant by working three years in a department of their choosing?). Opportunities happen all the time, and I don't think I'd want to be locked into something I couldn't get out of. But then again, it's job security.

This doesn't help you at all, does it?

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I prefer flexibility over stability, so a long-term 3 year contract would be out of the question for me. If the workplace situation declines in any manner, I would rather have the option of resigning gracefully instead of continuing in a contract situation where I am obligated to work for the place. If you resign or are fired before the 3 years has elapsed, you will have to repay your employer thousands of dollars in tuition. This is just some food for thought.

Good luck with whatever decision you make!

Specializes in Psych.

I think I'd go with the ADN program, too. I don't like the idea of being locked into something that may or may not be a good fit for three years. I'm a little bit of a control freak and my destiny is pretty high on my control freak list.

I tend to agree with the posters who say being tied down to a commitment may turn out bad. I know of people who have taken these options and things didn't turn out, they had to pay back the money one way or another. Another aspect that appeals to me is that with the ADN program you get your RN quicker and can put it to good use quicker. Gives you other options quicker. You can always work on your pre reqs for the BSN prog as you go and pay for them w/your RN pay that you get from the ADN prog.

Specializes in LTC, cardiac, ortho rehab.

i would go for the adn route. think of all the experience you can gain right after adn. the money is cool too, but experience is whats gonna make you move forward. im actually goin lvn-adn right now and then going adn-msn and then going to stanford for the fnp/pa route. i could go fnp/pa right after adn, but starting in 2008, all aplicants must have an msn for the fnp portion of the fnp/pa program and 3000 hours of bedside care. i think i got atleast 1000 already but more experience wouldnt hurt.

when your on the floor, it doesnt matter if your adn or bsn, all that matters is that your an RN.

Specializes in icu,ccu, er, corrections.

I went the ADN route, and do not regret it at all. My first regret as a nurse was the sign on bonus I took that made me required to work at hospital for a year....and i ended up hating that hospital. I am very picky now about obligating myself to a hospital......probably why traveling works for me. I, at this time, have not pursued my bsn, but am currently looking for online programs, since I don't stay in one spot long.

Good luck, whichever way you go

Specializes in Med Surg, ER, OR.

I am going the ADN route right now for the exact reasons the other posters mentioned. Its nice to be an RN after 2+ years of education, make decent money, and then go back for a BSN to advance yourself even more. Good luck in nursing school no matter what route you choose! We all know what you are going through.

Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

I think the deal breaker for me would be being obligated to someone for 3 years. There's a whole lot of things that could happen between now and when you graduate, never mind AFTER you've graduated....three years is a LONG time to be locked in to something....

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