Traditional BSN vs. RN-BSN

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Hello Everybody!

I do apologize if this topic is posted elsewhere. I have been Googling since yesterday and decided to become a member on this site since I feel that I may be able to get better answers from real nurses. I am new to this site so please bare with me, as this whole forum thing is new to me.

I am a pre-nursing student in Ohio currently enrolled at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). I am already accepted into the ADN program and I actually start this January. I plan on obtaining my BSN, because I eventually plan on obtaining my Master's because my goal is to become a CRNA. My plan was to transfer to Cleveland State University (CSU) after that and do their RN-BSN program. I am a planner and I think ahead, so I have been on top of my pre-reqs.

I was excited about starting the ADN program up until about April. Tri-C is currently having accreditation issues. They are still accredited by the state of Ohio, so that isn't the problem; their national accreditation is in hot water. Long story short, ACEN wanted to deny Tri-C of further national accreditation because of their lack of nursing professors who hold a Master's in Nursing (they expanded the program and apparently didn't follow certain guidelines). Tri-C appealed and the hearing was cancelled last week because they have come to an agreement with ACEN. According to ACEN, Tri-C is complying and is placed on "accredited with warning" status and will be reviewed again in April, and ACEN will make a final decision in June.

Tri-C is a very good college on the community college level and is nationally known. Everyone keeps telling me that things will work out and that I shouldn't worry. Well, of course this bothers me. I have seriously been considering going to CSU for their traditional BSN program. The thing is though, I need to make a decision ASAP, as the deadline for early decision is January 1st. I would also like to make up my mind so that if I do decide to just get my BSN, I can tell my community college that I will not be attending their ADN program (keep in mind I start there in January).

Getting into CSU's BSN program is not an issue for me. I have already met with the nursing advisor and my classes are good to go, and my GPA is high (3.98) and she told me with my GPA I would not have an issue getting in. I would be applying to start at CSU in Fall 2014.

If I stayed at my community college, I would graduate in the Fall of 2015, and I'd apply at CSU to start their RN-BSN program starting in the Fall of 2016, and I'd have my BSN at the end of summer 2017.

If I transfer to CSU for their traditional BSN program and start (hopefully) in Fall 2014, I would graduate in the Spring of 2017. So both routes don't have much of a different time frame, and that is because I have been on top of my classes.

I am extremely torn. I would be very upset if my community college does not gain their full accreditation back. I actually have a feeling they will be OK, but there is always a chance that they won't. If they don't, I can still get my BSN without a problem, but I would have an issue getting a job at a magnet status hospital in the long run (this is what I was told). This is important to me because the master's program I plan on doing later at Case Western Reserve University is partnered with the Cleveland Clinic, and they are a magnet status hospital. It is also my dream hospital in which I would love to work at.

The ADN and then RN-BSN route is obviously way cheaper, but I am willing to go $30,000 in debt if it means having a secured future. I really don't know if I should stay where I'm at, or just call it a day and go straight for my BSN. I actually do not plan on getting a job with my ADN, unless I get an offer, maybe. I am getting my BSN regardless. All in all, this all boils down to the accreditation factor. Yes, my community college is still accredited. But I do not want to graduate from there unless they regain full accreditation. What should I do? My family and friends don't realize how much of a big decision this is for me. Hopefully someone can provide some insight. Thanks in advance!

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I forgot to add something... are both BSN routes looked at differently to hospitals? Would a RN that graduated from a RN-BSN program make less than a RN who graduated from a traditional BSN program? Or does it not matter since both routes end in a BSN anyway?

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Bump :)

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Bump?

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I got my ADN, have worked almost 2 years and am starting RN-BSN this week. Having the ADN, will let you get experience while you are finishing. I am happy with my choice. I think I learned more skills and was better prepared for that part having the ADN first. Just my opinion.

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I got my ADN have worked almost 2 years and am starting RN-BSN this week. Having the ADN, will let you get experience while you are finishing. I am happy with my choice. I think I learned more skills and was better prepared for that part having the ADN first. Just my opinion.[/quote']

That's what I've been hearing. I'm just a little worried about this whole accreditation issue.....

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Anyone here going to NAU(AZ) for BSN?

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Anyone here going to NAU(AZ) for BSN?

Nah I'm from Ohio.

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It seems like you'd get done faster if you were to directly go into the BSN program. I live in Ohio as well & our CC lost their nursing accredidation back in 2009 and are hoping to have it back this month. Personally, I wouldn't want to waste my time in a program that's stupid enough to lose their accredidation, definitely no offense to you!!! CC is def cheaper however if you don't mind waiting till next fall to start & are confident in your acceptance then why not go for the BSN up front? Good luck in whatever you choose!

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I forgot to add something... are both BSN routes looked at differently to hospitals? Would a RN that graduated from a RN-BSN program make less than a RN who graduated from a traditional BSN program? Or does it not matter since both routes end in a BSN anyway?

In northwest Ohio it doesn't matter one bit. My friend got her ADN then got a hospital job, she was also doing the RN-BSN during that time & still made the same. Here, whether you're an ADN, BSN, or MSN you make the same starting out.,a BSN is a BSN, it shouldn't matter what route you took to get it, as long as you got it!!

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

I was a young nurse who swore I was going right back and start working on BSN courses. 20 years later I finally actually did it (well, I don't graduate until December, but I'm registered for the last course to start Monday). If you are in an area of the country that easily hires ADN nurses, then great, you will be employed. But, then you will find it that much harder to restart school when you have a reasonable income coming in. The majority of my RN to BSN classmates are ADNs who either cannot get jobs or are dissatisfied with the kind of jobs they are in and cannot get the kind they want without a BSN.

I always regretted not being able to go straight to BSN. I feel like I wouldn't have had to work any harder, as it was I took very heavy courseloads for every available school session completing 90+ credits with only an associates degree to show for it.

You also asked if hospitals cared whether one had RN to BSN versus BSN and they don't, it doesn't make a difference. Some hospitals show a preference for one university they feel is more prestigious. Pay is the same for all types of BSNs, the only other factor should be years of experience.

I would be very suspicious of an institution struggling with their accreditation. I know nothing of the CC you mentioned but I would be leery of believing all their troubles are behind them if they are the ones telling you this. I would want independent verification of that information.

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