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Discussion

Start out with my ADN or wait and go for my BSN?

Currently, I go to community college and I am pursuing my ADN, but recently, I have been really worried that is the wrong choice because I hear California has too many nurses and it's really hard even for nurses with BSNs to find jobs.The reason I am pursuing my ADN first is because I can't afford a four year school and I don't qualify for financial aid...so I was thinking that I would do a program like surgical tech or respiratory therapist first then transfer to a four year and actually be able to pay for school myself. Should I just go straight for the ADN and shoot for places like SNF/ALF? What do you think of this idea? Has anyone ever done it this way before? Thanks

P.s. I am a CNA now but not interested in working full time because even then I would be living pay check to pay check if I was to go to a four year, so I want to do something that makes a little more.

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    according to your previously stated situation i would go ahead and do the adn then move to vegas! much better market here

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    • Author

    I hear vegas is an even worse economy and on top of that, its way too crime ridden. I am willing to move, but not down grade.

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    kinda rude...I have lived here for 22 years and my grandmother is has been a charge nurse here for 25 years...I think I know my city and its job market. Anyways...all I ever hear about the california market is how impacted it is and how long the waitlists are there. We don't have waitlists here because it is merit based and also the schools are cheaper...CSN is about $4000 a year. CSN also has a 98% first time NCLEX pass rate.

    btw I have also lived in Cali and Texas and I feel the safest here honestly..

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    • Author
    kinda rude...I have lived here for 22 years and my grandmother is has been a charge nurse here for 25 years...I think I know my city and its job market. Anyways...all I ever hear about the california market is how impacted it is and how long the waitlists are there. We don't have waitlists here because it is merit based and also the schools are cheaper...CSN is about $4000 a year. CSN also has a 98% first time NCLEX pass rate.btw I have also lived in Cali and Texas and I feel the safest here honestly..
    Sorry if that offended you, it wasnt intentional. Of coorifice school is cheaper in nevada the cost ofliving there is cheaper. Thats the reason why my BSN future sister in law makes $26 per hour.in ohio and my old LVN teacher makes $30 here in cali.The job market is not what it was 22 years ago and I just replied to a post about a month ago who was complaining about how she couldnt find a job in vegas. for crime, I am going off statistics. Personally, I feel safe anywhere, but the statistics do exsist for a reason. Also, schools are doing away with wait lists and most schools in nor cal are merit based. Its only hard to get in because the states population is huge. I dont really want to move away from california because this is where my life is.
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    If you decide to pursue a different medical field at community college first, please make sure that you take all the pre-reqs that you would need for prospective BSN nursing programs. I would hate for you to have to spend more money and time for more nursing pre-reqs on top of an RT or ST program. Luckily, I think most of these programs require many of the same pre-reqs.

    If you want to be a nurse, I would probably just go with the ADN! Then, you can always complete a RN-BSN program afterwards. I would think this would be the better option because it prepares you for the bachelors and program ahead of you.

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    • Experts

    I used to think that I should have went for the BSN first.

    Now, having worked as a ADN and being in a RN-BSN program, I have to say I'm glad I went this route. My experience gives me an appreciation for the subjects I am studying, as well as letting me connect-the-dots on things better than I did when I was an ADN student. I am able to work so I can pay for this out-of-pocket and not carry a loan...and FYI, ADN does NOT limit you to working in only SNF/LTC--I and many of my classmates have been hired in acute care facilities since we graduated with ADNs. Plus, there is a lot less pressure on me in the RN-BSN program because I've already taken the NCLEX. No matter what happens (short of academic dishonesty), they can't take my license away from me :)

    That being said...you're right: CA is overrun with nurses and it's "BSN preferred" wherever you go. And even those BSNs are struggling to get jobs even in SNF and LTC, let alone hospitals.

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