RN or Straight to BSN?

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2014

Well, your GI bill is viewed as time isn't it and not necessarily semesters? My boyfriend was trying to explain his military GI bill to me.

I'd imagine whatever program will get you in quicker along with shorter time frame as factors you would want to consider. Some programs have four years waiting to get in. I was lucky and I managed to get into my ADN program with just 1 year waiting and I used that time for my BSN GECs so I just have less than 9 months on my BSN to do. However, other people waiting in my program had to wait over 3 years whereas a BSN program let them in earlier.

If you go the ADN route, then look at partner schools too. See what schools will automatically accept your ADN credits and what further GECs you may need to do.

I would also make sure that the students are happy with the school too. See if you can reach out to some that have graduated at least a year and see what their take on the school is. I am not thrilled with my school but they did prepare me well. I know some BSN graduates who cannot pass the NCLEX whereas we have had just one person fail out of over 90 graduates. Some programs also didn't teach any skills at all till the end.

I would also look at getting a job within a hospital before you graduate, especially as a surgical tech. It will let you network and be eligible to apply internally to positions that are posted.

You'll need a BSN from a CCNE accredited school for the military to recognize you as a nurse.

BusiestBSN · Feb 18, 2014

"RN" is not the name of the degree - it is the name of the license. You are thinking of an associates.

Many take the associate degree route, especially if they have to work sooner. If your local hospital still hires associate degree nurses, then it can be the better route. Call their human resource department and see if that is the case.

I do think it helps to get the BSN right away if you can, just so you can get it once and for all. But obviously that is not ideal for everyone.

sjalv · Feb 18, 2014

BSN means Bachelor's (degree) of Science in Nursing. People who obtain a BSN are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become an RN.

ASN stands for Associate (degree) of Science in Nursing. People who obtain an ASN are eligible to sit for the same exam to obtain the same license.

I view the ASN route as a way to become an RN faster and work (start gaining experience) while in school to transition to the BSN.

mrnightinggale · Feb 18, 2014

I am a retired AF guy in nursing school right now (BSN program). Using my GI bill. Where/why type of nursing do you see yourself doing? With many hospitals trying to earn Magnet status, they are not hiring as many ADN RNs as BSN RNs. Keep in mind, should you use the GI bill, you will get a housing allowance and a book allowance. That should help with how much you're working.

USAFscrub · Feb 19, 2014

I am a retired AF guy in nursing school right now (BSN program). Using my GI bill. Where/why type of nursing do you see yourself doing? With many hospitals trying to earn Magnet status, they are not hiring as many ADN RNs as BSN RNs. Keep in mind, should you use the GI bill, you will get a housing allowance and a book allowance. That should help with how much you're working.

I would probably go towards the OR for now since I am very familiar with it already. I am already a competent circulator and first assistant but as we both know....us military guys could do more in the service than we will outside the service. Scope of practice shifts dramatically. I'm not sure about that housing allowance and all though. I think that's under the Post 9/11 GI Bill and I'm pretty sure I'm under the Montgomery GI Bill. Not sure though.

Thank you for all the advice guys. It's appreciated :)

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 19, 2014

If you go the ADN-first route, be aware that it's not like the 2-year degree in English you get at the JC. It's 3 1/2 years, because you need to take and pass prerequisites before admission to the 2-year nursing program. If you go for the BSN, which everyone is beginning to realize is the preferred degree for hire in more and more places, that will take you 4 years. Do it right the first time and get it done with. Besides, if you ever want to go back into the service, they require the BSN. There's a reason for that.

christina731 · Feb 20, 2014

I would definitely do the BSN route as long as the school is reputable. I am currently in an ADN program but my program still has a high NCLEX pass rate and affordable tuition which is why I chose it. It's also relatively easy to get a job in my area with an ADN. With that being said, I still plan on completing a bridge program for my BSN as soon as I can after graduation just in case I ever move out of state. So what I'm getting at is, it was a good decision for me in my area but I would still recommend the BSN program since that seems to be what's required nowadays.

tg982 · Feb 20, 2014

I would recommend the bsn route for many of the reasons others have stated. Research the schools available. In my area you can go to the board of registered nurses and look up NCLEX pass rates of the schools in your area. As far as the GI BILL research that a little more too. If you qualify for the post 911 gi bill sometimes that's a good option and you can either swap over to that or exhaust your gi bill and get an extra year of the post 911 one. Just look at the numbers for the pay rates and BAH rates in your area and see which direction will get you the most money. I completed my BSN degree using the gi bill.

Also, most BSN programs the actual nursing program is just two yrs the same as ADN programs. It's just the matter of how long it takes you complete the prerequisite courses. Good luck to you!

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2014

The issue with both programs is that a lot of BSN schools will not admit you right away. Everyone makes it sound like once you're in, you're in. It's two years of pre-reqs and if you're lucky, you get into a clinical spot at the end of 2 years. However, you're competing against everyone including those who did not get a clinical spot the semester before and the community college kids who did not get in to their program. Don't get into he mindset that you are automatically guaranteed an admission spot. Talk to the advisors and learn about the admission process. Most universities accept under the pre-nursing and then give out clinical seats. So find out on a average how many clinical seats they accept (they may give a bs answer it depends on how many seats the hospital has) and how many applicants total they receive. If it is 300 applicants and only 50 clinical seats, them good luck.

Everyone should have three schools they want to go to and work towards fulfilling those pre-reqs. Most schools, even admit programs, are axing he waiting list in favor of selective admissions.