PreNursing completion, ADN or BSN?

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Hello all

I am looking for ideas and opinions on transferring to a nursing program. I am currently at a community college and will have all my prerequisites completed in 2 months... Wow, it's been a journey of 2 years of full time just to prep my journey in a nursing program.

What I'm trying to figure out is if I should be doing ASN or BSN. I know I want to work in a hospital and that all the ones here pretty much only hire BSN RN's. Both programs are 2 years in time. The BSN program at CSULB from what I know is 2 years, 3 semesters a year and the ADN at LBCC are 2 years with 2 semesters a year. There is a bridge program from LBCC to CSULB which is 1.5 years of full time making a BSN 3.5 years to complete.

My main issue is that application periods and I can't just apply to both. My LBCC application would be in march and I would start in August. The CSULB would take applications for me in September and would be for the next semester. I would have to either accept admission at LBCC or not accept and take my chances at getting into CSULB.

My grades are good, and I have a 4.0 cumulative GPA. Nursing programs are competitive and well I don't want to end up not having any program to attend, or play it safe and add additional 1.5 years to the wait to get a job at a hospital.

Sorry for my rambling I just really want to work in a hospital where I live.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

If you already know you want to work in a hospital, and you already know that you will most likely need a BSN to do so, then I think the answer is pretty clear. I know a lot of people opt for the ADN with the intent to complete the BSN later, but sometimes life has other plans.

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Yeah, almost everyone I know is doing ADN and supposedly going to bridge right away to BSN after they get their RN. I am just scared of not doing ADN and not getting accepted into BSN and having nothing. The CSULB program is very impacted and competitive, so I worry I won't get in.

Also my councilor told me that I can't apply to the BSN program while in the ADN program and If I get into the BSN program to quit the ADN program after only doing 1 semester at the community college. Not sure if it's an actual rule, or if it is just considered bad form.

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

What do each of the programs base their acceptance decisions off of?

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Ok, I know it's a difficult decision to make but you really need to look at all the options. Do the hospitals around your area really only hire BSN's? A lot of people make statements regarding that topic without really knowing all the facts. You can utilize this site by asking (or searching) about those particular hospitals that you are interested in and if there are ADN's being hired. Also, there are a lot of online RN to BSN programs that could be done while you are already working as an RN.

I really would not put 'all my eggs in one basket' so to speak, California programs are too competitive to take that chance. I would apply to every program you are willing to commute to in your area. Once admitted and beginning a program, stick with it, do not quit a program!

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

The OP is in southern California, one of the most competitive employment markets for new nurses in the entire country. My advice is to skip the associate degree at LBCC altogether. Go straight for the BSN degree at CSULB.

Even with a BSN degree from CSULB, there is a chance the OP may not secure employment for six months to one year after graduation. Contrary to what this person may have heard, there's no nursing shortage in southern California.

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The OP is in southern California, one of the most competitive employment markets for new nurses in the entire country. My advice is to skip the associate degree at LBCC altogether. Go straight for the BSN degree at CSULB.

Even with a BSN degree from CSULB, there is a chance the OP may not secure employment for six months to one year after graduation. Contrary to what this person may have heard, there's no nursing shortage in southern California.

I understand the difficulties of finding a job for new grads in California. I also understand the difficulty of getting into a program. The Admission stats for CSULB are crazy...Fall '15 was 655 applicants, 70 admitted, 485 alternates. I don't think it's wise to only apply to that program. What if OP doesn't get in?

OP, I am in the same situation as you but in the Bay Area. I would apply to several programs for Fall '16 and go from there, ADN and BSN. If you don't get into a BSN program but do get into the ADN program I would go and immediately bridge over. Unfortunately in California the programs are so competitive, even with 4.0's and TEAS scores in the 90's does not guarantee us a spot in any program!

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You aren't guaranteed admittance to any program, so apply to more than one at a time. As I understand it, most Cali programs have waitlists, too, so you could be in the position of waiting to get in to the ADN program while applying to the BSN.

It would probably benefit you more and get you closer to your goals to hold out for admittance to a BSN program. It would also be better financially to knock the BSN out rather than spend the extra money getting a bridge degree. (Unless you have done your financial due diligence and ADN + bridge tuition is less than BSN.)

Good luck, whatever you decide.

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I think my biggest concern is how LBCC does their admissions to the nursing program by only accepting applications once a year in March and that if I want a chance at applying to CSULB which is extremely competitive to give up my chances at LBCC. If only I could submit applications at the same time that way I could make a decision. I think I am going to give up LBCC ADN and put everything into CSULB.

Thank you, I appreciate all the comments and suggestions.

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