Recommendation for friend

[fiercedeity085]

Hi,

I have a friend who is a freshman in college and is also an international student. Their end goal is to become a CRNA. Just as an aside, they're single, have no kids, and are willing to relocate for school/work within reason (has to be a safe location. Etc.)

For the sake of being the most time efficient, they're thinking of enrolling in an ADN nursing degree and then working as an ICU nurse upon completion of the program. After that, they're wanting to do a bridge program from an ADN degree to a BSN degree.

One concern that I brought up is the difficulty of finding an ICU job upon completion of an ADN degree. Do you think this is a valid concern? Or would a direct approach to a BSN degree be better?

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

It may be difficult getting an ICU job as a new grad, both ASN and BSN depending on location. Their best chance is a BSN with a Capstone/Externship placement in an ICU. They will get one on one training with a nurse for 6-8 weeks. It is essentially a 6-8 week job interview. If they did very well in their Capstone/Externship, they may get a job offer after graduation.

CRNA schools require a high GPA in your BSN program and 2-5 yrs experience in ICU.

[fiercedeity085]

Thanks for the insight. I actually graduated with my BSN in December 2011 and am working as a CRNA now, so I am a bit out of the loop as far as what the job market looks like for new grad RN nurses.

I'm just trying to guide her in the most time efficient way possible. With that said, she doesn't plan to work while she gets her ADN-BSN bridge if she goes down that route. I guess with that in mind, you would not really be saving any time, correct?

Thanks again

[Etak, BSN, RN]

39 minutes ago, fiercedeity085 said:

I'm just trying to guide her in the most time efficient way possible. With that said, she doesn't plan to work while she gets her ADN-BSN bridge if she goes down that route. I guess with that in mind, you would not really be saving any time, correct?

This might depend on area but I know where I am, going ADN-BSN is not a time saver at all. It’s the opposite. The prerequisites are nearly the same (at least all the core sciences are) and then once you get into either program, it’s 2 years to your degree.

The only benefits to getting an ADN first are (that I can see):

1. It’s a way to become an RN in impacted areas that have few seats in traditional entry BSN programs. Once an ADN-RN, getting into a bridge program is a path to a BSN when there might not be another option. I am in no way knocking this work around, it’s one I’m looking at for myself if I’m unable to secure a spot in a traditional BSN.

2. The person wants or needs to work ASAP.

3. Whatever the career goals, an ADN fits those needs. (This again, will really depend on the area)

I can’t think of reason ADN to BSN would be the path to choose when relocation is an option unless they need an income to pay for the BSN. It certainly won’t be the most time efficient route.

[Rionoir, ADN, RN]

ADN to BSN is a great way to go since she will need a year or two experience anyway. There’s no benefit to paying so much extra (is she paying international tuition?) when an employer can contribute to the BSN later on.

Timewise, BSN might be slightly faster for a lot more out of pocket.