Two ADN programs

[ASTA4]

I really needed to write this out since I have no one to really talk to about it.

I’m 31, Male all pre-req’s done for these programs. I have an Associates in Arts that I received in my 20’s but didn’t try too hard. I wasn’t very mature back then.. so my GPA wasn’t great 2.7 with pre-req’s for nursing it’s now 2.94 (all A’s and 1 B) 

Anyways, 

There are two programs near me, 

1. ADN 24 months (summers off), 5 min from my house, clinical’s will be closer, their handbook states “minimum of eighty (80) percent of students matriculated into the nursing program will graduate” This program is more difficult to get into based on their point system so I will have to take a class to get 10 extra points before I apply but this class will finish before the next round of applications anyways. I was told March applications open and closes in May for an August start date. Even then..I’m not sure, I will even get in with the 10 extra points from this class. Their point system changed recently. 
 

2. Program # 2, 30ish min away , 53% graduation rate, much easier to get into. I have almost the max amount of points to get in since they only count pre-req GPA not cumulative like program 1. Not sure if that’s the cause of the graduation rate or not. People with less than half the amount of points I have get in. I would be able to start in May. Since they have 3 start dates instead of 2 like program 1 does.

 

I was hoping typing this out would help me realize but me not actually knowing if I’ll get into program 1 even with the extra class and waiting around to find out when I could already be attending classes for program 2 is really making this hard for me. 

 

 

 

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Good luck to you. It’s a little disconcerting to think that students in the second program will wash out so frequently, but it sounds like you would be an above-average student in that program. 
 

Something you might check into: Do these programs have full approval from your state board of nursing? In my state, we can go to the board’s website and see whether a school has full approval or whether it must continue to meet certain conditions because of concerns noted by the board.  

[ASTA4]

30 minutes ago, EricJRN said:

Good luck to you. It’s a little disconcerting to think that students in the second program will wash out so frequently, but it sounds like you would be an above-average student in that program. 
 

Something you might check into: Do these programs have full approval from your state board of nursing? In my state, we can go to the board’s website and see whether a school has full approval or whether it must continue to meet certain conditions because of concerns noted by the board.  

Hey thanks for responding. Yes, they’re both approved by Florida board of nursing. Both community colleges near me. Program 2’s NCLEX pass rate is a little higher. 
 

I’ve also been thinking about WGU’s prelicensure program. Since all my pre-req’s are already done for this. And I would graduate with a BSN in 2.5 years . Only con to this program is the clinicals/labs are 2ish hours away. So hotel or Airbnb would be a must. 

[ChiefJacobs]

9 hours ago, ASTA4 said:

I’ve also been thinking about WGU’s prelicensure program. Since all my pre-req’s are already done for this. And I would graduate with a BSN in 2.5 years . Only con to this program is the clinicals/labs are 2ish hours away. So hotel or Airbnb would be a must. 

A hotel/Airbnb every time you go to clinicals and a 2ish hour drive?! That seems really expensive and brutal just to upgrade to a BSN. Don't get me wrong, earning your BSN in the long run is really good idea. However it might make more sense just to apply for an ADN to BSN program later in life.

Beyond that, I would go for #1 school if you can but if the logistics are too hard to manage I wouldn't worry about it too much. With the advent of the internet it's far easier to overcome the challenges a worse school might provide. Best of luck to you.

[Quest5, BSN, MSN, RN]

I’m concerned that you are missing several key issues in your analysis. Program 1 has a matriculation rate that suggests good support of all admitted students; the matriculation rate for Program 2 (and their better NCLEX-RN pass rates) suggest their emphasis is on their pass rate and “weeding out” the weaker candidates in their cohorts. (Knowing WGU well, I don’t think that’s the best option for you currently.)
One reality of all undergraduate nursing programs is that the strength of the cohort helps each student, no matter what their GPA, to successfully complete the program. In a program that loses nearly half of each cohort by matriculation, it is easy to imagine in Orientation you will hear “Look to the left and look to the right…” and know that nearly every other person will be gone. Keep in mind you will one of those to the right or left of someone equally sure they will be retained. The biggest focus/ fear of everyone in that type of cohort quickly becomes “Am I next?” not “Am I learning to a good nurse?” 
If you opt for Program 2, try to find some graduates/ current successful students and ask them about their experiences from application on. Personally, I’d recommend Program 1 from the likelihood of better cohort experience and better overall program support. ‘Best wishes for your success, no matter what your choice.

 

 

[ChiefJacobs]

6 hours ago, Quest5 said:

In a program that loses nearly half of each cohort by matriculation, it is easy to imagine in Orientation you will hear “Look to the left and look to the right…”

That's a terrifying thought. On reconsideration, that makes option #1 for ASTA4 look way better despite the challenges.