I need some advice. I just found out that I didn't get into Sac State's Nursing School for Spring 2015. I am Alternate #19. I had 71 points on my application (87.3% on my TEAS and 3.932 nursing GPA, no optional points). We have been told that Alternates 1-5 have a good chance at getting called on, but that's about it. **SUPER BUMMED. I'm 38 and have worked really hard to get this far. It's pretty discouraging.** I currently attend Sac State (CSUS) getting all my general education requirements out of the way. I have been accepted to American River College (ARC) for their ADN Nursing Program in the Spring 2015... I am supposed to start on Jan 20, 2015.
My question is... should I wait and reapply for Sac State's BSN program for Fall 2015? Or should I take the ADN seat this January and just do an RN-BSN program (12 months) after I complete the 2 year ADN program?
Obviously I am worried about wasting the tuition costs and longer wait to get a job if I only have an RN certificate. I've been doing nursing pre-reqs for so long, I really just want to start a nursing program... but I would love to hear from working BSN's and those that just have their ADN... and from BSN/ RN students.
Assuming that the ADN program has decent NCLEX pass rates, I would so be in that program ASAP. Would you be guaranteed acceptance in the spring or summer at the BSN program? Probably not which means you could get your ADN then continue your BSN quicker if you start now. Plus you can work while getting your BSN.
You may not get the job you want as an ADN RN, but there are still jobs available in clinics, long term care, and even some facilities. It is true that many facilities would like BSN's but you can still find employment as an ADN.
Thanks, rob4546, the NCLEX pass rates at ARC are quite good for a community college program. Earliest chance I would have at getting accepted to the BSN program is Fall 2015. I'm taking the ADN seat and will consider reapplying to the BSN program. :)
I asked my Pharmacology professor about the difference between BSN and ADN and she said it was about a dollar more an hour and 75% of the people in the hospitals are ADNs. Most hospitals want to know you will get it and some will pay for it.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Thank you for the advice, caliotter, but, ouch! "Applying again probably won't yield much better results"? That's a bit harsh. The whole idea of applying again was supported by an action plan of increasing my application score with a better TEAS score and additional points for completing a volunteer program. Thanks for the vote of confidence! :-/
First...The best nursing school plan is the one you can get into.
Second...the ADN is NOT, and I repeat, NOT a CERTIFICATE program. It is AN associate college degree.
Third...I think it is bad form to take a seat from someone else that wants the associate program just to leave the program for another program. While it is true facilities are leaning towards hiring BSN grads you can find a job if you aren't picky while you finish your BSN bridge.
Why wait another year for a chance at a possible seat in a program that already denied you. Take the seat you have been awarded.
Second...the ADN is NOT, and I repeat, NOT a CERTIFICATE program. It is AN associate college degree.
.
Thanks for the advice, Esme. I guess I should have clarified that I already have an Associates Degree in General Science, so it would just be the addition of the RN certification/ licensure. But, yes, normally community college RN programs result in earning your ADN.
If you "only have an RN certificate"? What is an RN certificate?
Putting that aside, I don't know how much the colleges you are talking about cost, so I can't factor that into my advise. But generally speaking, if I were you, I'd go ahead with the ADN program and then bridge over if you choose to.
I am graduating from an ADN program in a couple of weeks. I went this route purely because it was the least expensive way for me to reach my goal. YMMV. I already have a BA in another field and if I continue it will most likely be RN-MSN.
Everline: I have an Associates of Science in Gen Science from the same community college I will be taking the ADN seat with. Since I already have an Associates degree, the ADN program will just earn me the RN cert. I do not have a BA or BS in another field.
Wow, there are some people on this site who seem like they really enjoy giving you the backhanded compliments or just being outright critical. Good to know! I figured this would be a safe forum to get inspired by other nurses and nursing students. Or maybe it's just that ancient "better grow thick skin" mentality.
Thanks for the advice, Esme. I guess I should have clarified that I already have an Associates Degree in General Science, so it would just be the addition of the RN certification/ licensure. But, yes, normally community college RN programs result in earning your ADN.
Regardless if you already hold an associates degree. If you graduate from the associates nursing program you will have another associates degree. Many people hold more than one associates degrees and many people hold more than one bachelors degree.
You will not have any certificate. You will graduate with an Associate Degree in Nursing and when you pass the NCLEX you will receive a nursing license. I am an ADN graduate so I may be impartial...start the ADN program. Life has no guarantees. Like you said you aren't getting any younger. You will have 3 years in a BSN program at least. Meaning graduation in May 2018, if you get in September 2015. If you start the ADN program in January 2015, you will graduate at the end of 2016 (I assume). Even if you didn't enter the workforce right away for some reason and went to a 12 month RN to BSN program, you could still graduate from that in Dec of 2017 (6 months before you ever would have graduated from the BSN program IF you got in the next term). Chances are you would want to work though so that would be an additional year and a half of experience and money in your pocket.
My hospital has a program where they pay for the tuition of new grad ADN nurse residents that agree to enroll in an RN to BSN program.
My BSN program was only 2 years. :/ However, I do agree that starting the ADN program will undoubtably get the OP to the NCLEX faster. I think it is important to stress that reapplying for the fall does not guarantee an acceptance into the BSN program- in fact, fall semesters tend to be more competitive than spring start semesters, which means you *might* end up further up the wait list, or not get in at all.
You will have 3 years in a BSN program at least. Meaning graduation in May 2018, if you get in September 2015. ....
My hospital has a program where they pay for the tuition of new grad ADN nurse residents that agree to enroll in an RN to BSN program.
Thanks. Loo17. The BSN program at SacState is actually 4 semesters. So I would be looking at graduating end of May 2017. But, yes, I understand what you are saying. Like I said before, it's just a hard decision to make when I have been working my butt off at 38. And yeah, I'm not getting any younger... thanks for pointing that out.
My other concern is that over the next 2 years, more and more hospitals may change their hiring criteria and make it much more difficult for ADN-prepared nurses.
I'm going off of information I was given at a pre-med/ pre-nursing conference I attended in October.
My BSN program was only 2 years. :/ However, I do agree that starting the ADN program will undoubtably get the OP to the NCLEX faster. I think it is important to stress that reapplying for the fall does not guarantee an acceptance into the BSN program- in fact, fall semesters tend to be more competitive than spring start semesters, which means you *might* end up further up the wait list, or not get in at all.
THANK YOU, newhospicern! That was articulated very nicely and your advice is respectfully taken! You're right... I could study my hardest and still only improve my TEAS score enough to makeup 3-6 points on my application for the BSN program, where the point cutoff for the program usually goes up that amount of points every semester.
I figured this would be a safe forum to get inspired by other nurses and nursing students. Or maybe it's just that ancient "better grow thick skin" mentality.
lifelearningrn, BSN, RN
2,622 Posts
Take the ADN seat and get started, what happens if you end up on the wait list AGAIN? That puts you behind another year.