artha

Thanks for your advice! :)

I guess to get my foot in the door in that hospital, and also so my workload isn't too heavy while completing my BSN. :)

Hello nurses, I recently graduated from an ADN program and would like your advice on my career plans. I plan on completing my BSN, but I am torn between two options. I can start at Purdue Northwest in August, or I can take 3 prerequisite classes (2 in the summer - Psych and Sociology; and one in the Fall semester - Life Span Human Growth and Child Development) and attend UIC. I would really like to know if there is a difference in the jobs I can get or even future degrees if I choose Purdue Northwest over UIC. I would love to attend UIC since it's one of the top nursing school, but does where you get your BSN really matter as long as it is accredited? Also, would you recommend starting as a CNA before getting a BSN? It would be at a prestigious hospital and the pay is higher than average for CNAs. I did my clinicals at the hospital and the level of care is amazing. I would really love to work there one day. Do you recommend other schools or other options that I have regarding my career plans? Thank you so much in advance!

Hey! I am currently in an ADN program and going to graduate in May. I would say to first look at the community college's accreditation. Your school will need accreditation so you can go on to a RN to BSN program. My teacher says that they have been saying that all nurses will need BSNs since 20 years ago, but I know that more and more hospitals are requiring a BSN to get hired and some even require that you a get into a RN to BSN within a year of being hired. Second, see if nurses from that ADN program have been hired at local community hospitals. There should be a Facebook group page to ask other members, or maybe the Nursing Department can inform you. Since you have a family, I would say go for the ADN program if everything checks out. Just because you will be done in a shorter amount of time and the expenses will be much lower. Although be forewarned that RN to BSN programs cost 10-20k or even more! But you can work during the RN to BSN program! Also, make sure you keep your grades up. Most RN to BSN programs that I have seen require a 2.75 GPA - some 2.5. Don't overwhelm yourself with lots of science classes in one semester if you are taking prereqs still. Good luck!