Should I accept my seat?

[Stressed1998]

So, I applied to a few second degree nursing programs ranging from some 12 month long to 2 years. After hearing back, I think I will be going to a nursing school in the area. The program is 2 years long, I have a place to live, and I will be taking around $50,000 out in loans. I already am $10,100 in debt from my first bachelors degree (biology). This was actually the cheapest out of all the programs. Also, I have family in the area, which is nice.

Nonetheless, as always I am having some doubts. My concerns are mainly focused on making sure that I will be prepared enough. The overall graduation rate for the university is 36%. I tried reaching out about the graduation rate for the nursing school specifically and they told me that they exceed the benchmark for overall BSN retention. While reading some reviews on some of the professors I learned that for one class year a good chunk of students ended up not finishing and around <10 students went on to take the NCLEX (I am not sure how many students were originally in the class). I am probably over thinking this and am looking for something to be wrong. The school is accredited/ has had high NCLEX pass rates the past couple of years (I am not sure how many students took it during these years).

I guess I just want to be reassured that I am making the right decision to decide to go here. I know getting my ADN then doing an RN-BSN program would be another option/cheaper, but my family is happy that I have somewhere to go and I would have my BSN in two years versus the three that it would take for the ADN route. Also, I'd like to start working soon so, two years sounds good to me. But, yeah am I making the right decision?

[Triplepoint, ADN, RN]

$50,000 is a lot of money for a program, but you have to take into consideration more than the cost. How old are you? If you are in your early 20's then taking an extra year to do an ADN and save some money may be a really good choice. If you are in your late 30's you may want to be done sooner so you can get your career started ASAP.

The fact that the university you are considering had a large portion of their cohort not go on to be eligible to take the NCLEX is concerning. If I were you, I would wonder if the big bucks I am spending on my education would get me to my end goal. In my area, one of the fancy private nursing schools with an accelerated BSN program had some people doing their senior practicums at flu clinics.... A university or private BSN program does not absolutely guarantee you a good education or great clinical placements, so make sure you ask them about what their recent clinical placements have been. 

Another important thing to consider is the area you are in. In some parts of the country hospitals hire new ADN grads all the time, even into areas like ICU and ED. In other regions of the country, you cannot get into a hospital unless you have a BSN. What is it like in your town? This is important info to know, so find out! If you can easily find the work you want as an ADN grad, you could have a job in 18 months and then finish your BSN online. 

Your family may be happy you have somewhere to go, but they don't have to live your life..... whatever you decide, make sure that it is truly YOUR decision! You have to live with the consequences! 

[Stressed1998]

27 minutes ago, Triplepoint said:

$50,000 is a lot of money for a program, but you have to take into consideration more than the cost. How old are you? If you are in your early 20's then taking an extra year to do an ADN and save some money may be a really good choice. If you are in your late 30's you may want to be done sooner so you can get your career started ASAP.

The fact that the university you are considering had a large portion of their cohort not go on to be eligible to take the NCLEX is concerning. If I were you, I would wonder if the big bucks I am spending on my education would get me to my end goal. In my area, one of the fancy private nursing schools with an accelerated BSN program had some people doing their senior practicums at flu clinics.... A university or private BSN program does not absolutely guarantee you a good education or great clinical placements, so make sure you ask them about what their recent clinical placements have been. 

Another important thing to consider is the area you are in. In some parts of the country hospitals hire new ADN grads all the time, even into areas like ICU and ED. In other regions of the country, you cannot get into a hospital unless you have a BSN. What is it like in your town? This is important info to know, so find out! If you can easily find the work you want as an ADN grad, you could have a job in 18 months and then finish your BSN online. 

Your family may be happy you have somewhere to go, but they don't have to live your life..... whatever you decide, make sure that it is truly YOUR decision! You have to live with the consequences! 

Hi, thank you for your response. I just turned 23. I guess another thing I'm curious about is with ADN programs will I have to take any general education requirements again (e.g., English composition, math, etc.)?

Also, how to I discern what are good clinical placements and what are not good placements? Looking on their site they have clinical placements at Medstar Washington Hospital center, Children’s National Health Network, Sibley Memorial Hospital / John Hopkins Medicine, Psychiatric Institute of Washington, Carroll Manor Nursing and Rehab. So, it seems like a mixture of hospitals and rehabilitation centers.

I'm in the MD/DC area. How do I find out if hospitals hire new ADN grads/what is it like in my area?

Would it be smart to at least try a semester and see how it goes? Or would that be potentially wasting $12,000?

[Triplepoint, ADN, RN]

You would have to look at the ADN program requirements to see if you met them with the classes you took during your bachelors degree. Did you already take pre-reqs such as anatomy, micro, and college level math? If so, you probably won't have to take much, if anything additional for the ADN. You'd really have to do your research to find out though. 

As for clinical placements, call and ask the programs to see where students have been going during COVID. From what you've listed, those seem like pretty impressive clinical sites that any nursing student would be happy to get. Call the ADN program you are interested in. Ask them where they have been placing students. 

The best way to find out what type of education hospitals want is to look up job postings for hospitals and units you want to work in. They will say if a BSN is required, preferred, or if they just want someone with an RN license who graduated from an accredited program. 

I would not throw away $12,000 just to see how it goes. Make a decision about where to go after doing research on multiple programs and their requirements. Take into consideration your career goals and the requirements of hospitals that you want to work at. Then you will be able to make an informed decision about what the best choice is for you. 

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

Although this might not be you, I’m just going to throw this out there: many people think an ASN is like any other two-year degree, but it’s not. By the time you get thru prerequisites (again, not everybody comes at this with a preexisting bachelors in biology) you’re in it fir at least three years anyway. Then they think they can get right to work and finish up their BSN (required for so many career nursing options these days)  while earning a living, not realizing how all-consuming your first year or two of work is going to be. Best to go straight to the BSN and be done with it. For the OP, particularly, it might be easier w the prior degree. 
Whatever your decision, make it soon. Most programs will not accept coursework in transfer if the credits are more than X years old.