LuLuLady

Hi Wimeraww, I'm in an ADN program in this area. I've been living here forever. Like you, nursing is a career change for me. My previous BS is in Biology and Masters in a health related field. I am taking the ADN route because I too couldn't afford doing a ABSN, so I had to do what I had to do. I've been working in the health care field for a while. Worked for Inova, Prince William hospital, NIH, etc., and have worked with plenty of seasoned nurses so I'm aware of all the ADN vs. BSN talk and here's my 2 cents: There's no nursing shortage in the DC area. ADN students should get their BSN asap. It's going to be hard to find a job, but I'm going to use my "go-getter" skills and people I know to try to find a job with my ADN degree, preferably a hospital, while I get my BSN. There are a couple hospitals here and there that will accept ADN students. Inova keeps flipping. 6 years ago when I graduated from college (in this area), my BSN friends couldnt find jobs simply because there's no shortage in DC. Even my friend (BSN student) who worked with me at one of Inova's hospitals as a tech couldn't get a job. Another 2 friends moved to North Carolina to find work. Inova frequently has these "hiring freezes" which is frustrating. Fast forward a few years later, people who graduated with their ADN got jobs in Inova and DC hospitals. Last year's ADN grads got jobs throughout Inova but signed a 3 year agreement to get their BSN. Not sure when Inova will "flip again" but I'd keep Inova in the "maybe" pile. There's also Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington that hires ADNs. I know people who have ADNs that got hired at Sibley and Washington Hospital Center in DC. Believe it or not, I know nurses at Georgetown and GW that have ADN degrees but they're working on their BSN degrees, but I'm not putting GW and GT in the "definite" pile because they are BSN preferred. My friends who work there were techs first and had inside connections. Some hospitals I'm completely unaware of like Shady Grove Adventist and Washington Adventist but it may be worth looking into. So I'm simply trying to say that each person has a different experience. From what I've seen, the hospitals around here really "flip flop" from year to year, probably due to their specific needs. Best of luck to you with your decision.

Hi, I'm in the traditional nursing program at NVCC. Nursing was a career change for me too (previous BS and MS in a non-nursing field) I would not worry too much about taking NAS classes, because there are schools in the area that will accept the NAS route for their RN-BSN Programs. For example, after you have your RN license, George Mason, GW, etc. will allow you into their RN-BSN program. As far as competitiveness, get decent scores on your TEAS, try to get all "As" in your prerequisites and if you can take the co-requisites (pharm, psych II, etc.), I highly recommend it because the nursing classes will keep you busy. Get "As" in the co-requisites too. Do you live in NOVA? Being a Fairfax county, Prince William, Loudon, etc. (NOVA) resident gives puts you ahead of other non-NOVA folks.