Should I Even Try Becoming An RN?

Take my advice, do well the first time. Get your A's the first time. You have no credit and no credit is better than bad credit.

Second, get your BSN now. Why get an ADN if you have nothing stopping you from getting your bachelors?

Take my advice do well the first time. Get your A's the first time. You have no credit and no credit is better than bad credit. Second, get your BSN now. Why get an ADN if you have nothing stopping you from getting your bachelors?[/quote']

If she has to get a job pronto, she probably doesn't have the four years to wait for the same RN she could get in two through the ADN program.

You could always go for your BSN while looking/working as an RN. The job market really depends on where you are. I'm pretty close to NYC, so I'm well aware that I may have to move to get that first job experience.

You will have more financial assistance available to you once you move out on your own. Look into government student loans, grants, and scholarships. Avoid private loans if possible. Go for your BSN and not ASN. It is better to go to school once (BSN) than to have to go back when it isn't necessarily convenient for you later (RN-BSN).

The problems with new grads finding jobs is primarily in saturated states and metro areas with many nursing schools close by.

Come January, the FAFSA will become available for the 2014-2015 school year. DO IT. This is the key to getting federal funding. Also, many scholarship entities will request your FAFSA, so it's good to have it already done. Note that you will need your parental information because you will still be considered a "dependent" student until you are 24 years old, get married, or have a dependent of your own.

We live in a similar area in Washington (I'm further north than you.) From the jobs that I've looked at, a BSN is what you want if you plan to work in a hospital. You are so young, so power through that BSN! You can complete your direct transfer degree at Edmonds and then transfer to one of the universities like UW, WSU, ect. I say this because from doing running start, you probably have a lot of your general ed done and are that much closer to your BSN.

Good luck!

The one difficult/irritating thing about the FAFSA is that it asks for parental information as it seems to expect that parents will contribute to school. If there's some way that you can show that you won't be getting any financial assistance from your parents, then you have a very good chance at getting FAFSA-connected loans and grants to pay for school. In my particular case, since I have a Bachelor's degree, all I qualify for is a tuition fee waiver. Just having the tuition fees waived helps, but I would be much happier with scholarships and grants that would pay for my costs of living, books, etc so that I wouldn't have to work while going to school.

Also. What does a job have to do with the type of degree? Nothing. It takes the same amount of time no matter what you do. You might as well do it now before life gets in the way

If she has to get a job pronto she probably doesn't have the four years to wait for the same RN she could get in two through the ADN program. You could always go for your BSN while looking/working as an RN. The job market really depends on where you are. I'm pretty close to NYC, so I'm well aware that I may have to move to get that first job experience.[/quote']

Since when does an ADN only take 2 years? With pre-req's it's more like 3-4. Adding in possible wait lists and who knows how long it will take.

OP, I would do your research about schools in your area (NCLEX pass rates, accreditations, reputation) and make your decision based on that plus what the job market is like in your area. Here in NV, it's still possible to get a decent job with and ADN, in CA, not so much. Good luck.

Since when does an ADN only take 2 years? With pre-req's it's more like 3-4. Adding in possible wait lists and who knows how long it will take. OP I would do your research about schools in your area (NCLEX pass rates, accreditations, reputation) and make your decision based on that plus what the job market is like in your area. Here in NV, it's still possible to get a decent job with and ADN, in CA, not so much. Good luck.[/quote']

At my school it's completely doable in 2. I decided to do it in three, but there's a few girls in my class doing the 2 year route. It is, of course, different in different areas of the country and dependent on the school.

And I agree, always do your research for a few different schools before jumping in!