Student needing guidance

Jules A, MSN · Jan 14, 2017

Hi and welcome, kudos for making a smart financial choice right out of the gate. My advice would be to keep your grades up and you should have no problem getting into a school for your BSN. The great news is at least in my experience the BSN was a piece of cake after the rigors of my LPN then ADN program. In some areas it is easier for BSNs to get jobs but not everywhere so check around your area and keep an open mind about what historically has been less desirable jobs such as nursing homes, night shift and weekend positions. Hopefully you will get a job where they offer some tuition assistance and will pay for all or part of your BSN. Best wishes.

Amber98 · Jan 14, 2017

Thank you very much! Another question is that through my ADN I'm planning on working pretty much full time, is that a logical plan or do you think in your experience the program requires too much time for a full time job.

Cat365 · Jan 14, 2017

You need to check with local or online colleges to see which ones have an RN to BSN. Then see if they take the credits from your current college. Make sure your current college is accredited and ask the admissions office which four year colleges take their credits.

I would also check around to make sure that getting a job as an ASN is possible in your area. My area has no issues with it but in areas of the country that are more overrun with nurses an ASN is not as competitive.

Jules A, MSN · Jan 14, 2017

Thank you very much! Another question is that through my ADN I'm planning on working pretty much full time, is that a logical plan or do you think in your experience the program requires too much time for a full time job.

I worked around 30h a week while I was getting my ADN but worked full time when I got my BSN.

rnnluvnit2006 · Jan 14, 2017

Most ADN programs require almost the same number of prereqs as a BSN program

My advice to you is this...

Many people start with the thought process of the fastest way to get there is to get the ADN then go get the BSN.

Many people graduate with their ADN and NEVER go back to school and get stuck in jobs because BSN is required for advancement. They become financially dependent on their job, and because they have a job, are no longer eligible for financial aid. Stupid, but true. Most hospitals REQUIRE a BSN for employment. Does it make a BSN nurse better? NO...but in the game of life sometimes you have to fake it to make it, and play by the rules to succeed even if you don't agree with them. So this is not a debate about what is better. You sit for the same NCLEX that a BSN prepared nurse does, so go get your BSN.

If you are going to climb the mountain, why only go half way? Take the prereqs required for a BSN program, and apply for that track. If you are unable to get in, take the ADN as a back up. Many people don't want to do the prereqs for a BSN program because you are required to take statistics and algebra, which are not required for the ADN.

You need to go to the academic advisor who will have the prereq list for area colleges and have her help you organize a plan so that you don't take unnecessary classes, and you maximize your time in college. Its going to take a minimum of 2 years full time to get all of your prereqs done.

GOOD LUCK

Jules A, MSN · Jan 14, 2017

Many people start with the thought process of the fastest way to get there is to get the ADN then go get the BSN.

You make some good points but I wanted to add that that while I was taking BSN classes I made $160,000 as a RN. While I understand life can get in the way and some will not go back to school to me to spend extra money and lose income during those two years in an effort to avoid that is kind of like putting yourself on the idiot program, imo.

rnnluvnit2006 · Jan 14, 2017

Jules

Since most hospitals In todays market are attempting to obtain magnet status, an ADN prepared nurse is going to have a hard time finding employment when the requirement for an incoming nurse is to have a BSN. The competition is higher, and although ADN prepared nurses are grandfathered in, new ones have fierce competition.

It is highly unlikely that an ADN prepared nurse fresh out of college is going to make 160K a year, since most starting wages across the nation fall into the 50K range. Even a BSN prepared nurse is not going to make that.

The

Amber98 · Jan 14, 2017

Thank you for your answer I really appropriate it! I guess my main issue though is the fact that first becoming an RN through my associates degree and nursing program at my community college allows me to get a job and support myself because my living situation is not currently going to work forever. Having to go two years of only prereqs and then two years obtaining the bachelors is four years without having a real job that pays more than $10 an hour so it won't allow me to have a place to live. Even in a situation like mine is this really a bad plan? Thank you for your insight.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2017

Your thread has been moved to the Pre-Nursing Student forum for more replies.

Jules A, MSN · Jan 15, 2017

Jules
Since most hospitals In todays market are attempting to obtain magnet status, an ADN prepared nurse is going to have a hard time finding employment when the requirement for an incoming nurse is to have a BSN. The competition is higher, and although ADN prepared nurses are grandfathered in, new ones have fierce competition.
It is highly unlikely that an ADN prepared nurse fresh out of college is going to make 160K a year, since most starting wages across the nation fall into the 50K range. Even a BSN prepared nurse is not going to make that.
The

I was making just over $80,000 a year with my RN not $160,000. Maybe it is area specific? In my area although BSN is preferred there are plenty of ADN jobs and yes even the high falutin magnet hospitals, snort, are still hiring ADNs.

Apple-Core, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2017

A lot of community colleges are offering a combined ADN/BSN program now - is that possible in your area? That way you will graduate about the same time, but with a BSN under your belt. There is a ton of financial support out there, such as FAFSA and other scholarships, to minimize the debt you will have to take on. I admit I am only a pre-nursing student and not even enrolled in the program yet, but from my research it seems that more and more places are demanding a BSN before they will even look at you. As seasoned RN with an ADN is one thing, but for newbies like you (and I, eventually), the job-market will be a tough one if we have limited experience and "only" an ADN.

Hence, I would strongly suggest that you find a way to get your BSN. Like an earlier poster said.... does this make you a better nurse?? Not necessarily...but it is part of the "game" and the expectation of employers, and while it may be frustrating for nursing students, there is little point fighting the system because it won't help secure you a job!

Many places of employment will encourage and support you to get a BSN, and many will even reimburse you financially. However, getting your foot in the door to begin with will be the hardest thing.

Having said all this, it sounds from your post(s) that you are in a difficult living scenario, and of course you will need to take that into account too. It is easy for us to suggest you take a BSN, but if that requires you staying in a chaotic environment for the next 4 years, then it simply may not be something that is possible for you.

In the long-term, though, set your sights on a BSN (and higher!) just so that you can open doors of opportunity for advancement, otherwise you may find newer nurses (with BSNs) being promoted above you which would be frustrating.