Start RN-BSN right away?

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 2, 2012

I'd wait, but that's just me. I am a second career nurse and frankly I don't know if I'm feeling it's worth all the extra money to do that for what nursing has to offer these days. I was planning on doing a lot more, when I was doing the change, but nursing as a profession has drastically changed since then.

I'm not sure I feel it wise to put much more into it. If you are one of the few who have landed a great position at a great supportive facility and have got over that 6mo to 1 yr mark, and still want to, then I'd say go, go, go. If I had that situation, I'd be doing it now, but I haven't and don't see that too many great situations are even out there anymore for nurses to give most of us a reason to remain nurses.

If the situation had been as it is now at the start of the whole going back to college thing for me, I'd have changed my plans and not gone the nursing route.

AZMOMO2 · Jan 2, 2012

I have friends that were in my LPN program with me that graduated with their RN and went straight ahead to the BSN portion while they worked at LTC locations as RNs. I plan to go the ADN route, but have already started taking my BSN coreqs so I can bridge straight away as well. I am in no hurry, since there aren't really any jobs, but its the plan. I also plan to continue straight through towards my MSN Ed.D as well.

I say if you want it go for it. Since most RN-BSN programs are online, you can still look for a job and or work, while you take classes 1 at a time. Sometimes, saying that you are enrolled in a BSN program already is the kicker to sparking interest on an application for a Hospital RN position.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jan 3, 2012

I passed my boards in August 2008 and was in an RN-BSN program by October 2008. However, for me, the BSN was a means to an end -- I wanted to join the Army, and a BSN is required for active duty. (It used to be that ADNs could enter the Reserves at the time, but as of now, a BSN is also required for Reserves.)

I guess it just depends on your goals. My employer offered tuition assistance, which paid for a big chunk of my BSN. I was already in school-mode, it made sense to continue. And I was also simultaneously still running as a paramedic once a week, doing an ED nursing fellowship and orienting to my ED, and working a part-time freelance graphic design/desktop publishing job. It can be done.

allnurses Guide · Jan 3, 2012

I agree that it depends. There was a group of great students who had just graduated from an ADN program, had found good jobs and were in my RN-BSN program. We met one night a week - it was an accelerated program.

Three of them then started an NP program after the BSN.

What do YOU want to do? It seems to me like it is ALL doable.

Good luck!

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2012

I worked full time while doing my ADN. It sucked. I did it because I needed income while I was in school. Now I'm working full time on a pedi hem/onc floor. I have to start my BSN by August (condition of getting hired) but I chose to wait till then because I thought starting the job, plus doing classes (which overall seem time consuming and tedious lol) would be too much.

I'm glad I waited, because my floor is hard. I felt like I was studying for classes for all of my orientation. I still research stuff constantly, trying to figure out why we do things a certain way. By the time my BSN classes start, I'll have a year of experience under my belt and be a lot more comfortable.

Someone I know started her BSN the week after we began orientation. She regrets it and is taking this semester off.

CBsMommy · Jan 3, 2012

Thanks for everyone's input! Spidey's Mom - I just don't know what I want to do, which is weird because I'm usually a very decisive person. I've applied for my RN-BSN and want to get started, I just don't want to shoot myself in the foot at my new RN career. The RN-BSN would only be 1 class at a time, but it's fast, 13 classes in 1 year, most of which is writing papers but it would be all online. I would still be eligible for a Pell Grant this year, and would love to use that, without taking out any more student loans. I don't have a job lined up yet but I am hoping for somewhere that would provide tuition reimbursement (although I can get by without it). But I do think that it's A LOT to get used to working somewhere as a RN for the very first time, while starting back up with classes at the same time. Like ShantheRN says, I guess if it gets to be too much, I can take a semester off. I guess I will concentrate on the job hunt for the month of January and see how I feel after I start. Thanks to all for their input though!

NoviceRN10 · Jan 3, 2012

I would see what you think of being a nurse before you go after further education. It isn't anything like I expected. I am happy with my Associates and grateful I don't have any student loans looming over my head, dictating that I stay in this profession.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 4, 2012

I did start right away...at least I started with the pre-requisites. They took a year to wrap up because I took them one at a time. By then I had a year's experience under my belt and was ready to get the program started

tokidoki7, ASN, RN · Jan 5, 2012

I graduated in May but I didn't want to start a BSN program until I passed the NCLEX and got a job. Now that I've achieved both, I'm waiting for an acceptance letter so I can began in March; I would have my BSN in a year. Unfortunately, I work two 12s and two 8s at my job and there is no way I'll be able to do anything working that kind of schedule, so now I'm looking for a job where I can only work three 12s.

srobb11 · Jan 10, 2012

I just graduated with my ADN in December and I'm planning on applying soon to an RN-BSN program that I will begin in the Fall of this year. It's all online, 3 semesters to complete. I would do it sooner if I could, but the particular program I want doesn't start again until the Fall. I figure by then I should hopefully be set with my job, plus I'll be able to use the hospital's tuition reimbursement.

Morainey, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2012

I graduated with an ADN in May of 2011 and started working FT in a hospital in July. At first I was all amped to start my BSN, but then I got engaged :lol2: *bounces* I'm getting married in September, so I don't think my profs would be thrilled with me asking for two weeks off. I also work nights, and I don't think I could handle a three hour lecture about nursing research right after working a 12, ya know what I mean?

That being said, at this point (for me personally) I feel like my work experience is more valuable than school. I feel like working as a nurse really cements nursing for me. Lots and lots of AHA! moments.