I recently graduated from an ADN program and would like your advice on my career plans. I plan on completing my BSN, but I am torn between two options. I can start at Purdue Northwest in August, or I can take 3 prerequisite classes (2 in the summer - Psych and Sociology; and one in the Fall semester - Life Span Human Growth and Child Development) and attend UIC. I would really like to know if there is a difference in the jobs I can get or even future degrees if I choose Purdue Northwest over UIC. I would love to attend UIC since it's one of the top nursing school, but does where you get your BSN really matter as long as it is accredited?
Also, would you recommend starting as a CNA before getting a BSN? It would be at a prestigious hospital and the pay is higher than average for CNAs. I did my clinicals at the hospital and the level of care is amazing. I would really love to work there one day.
Do you recommend other schools or other options that I have regarding my career plans?
Ya I think you have to work at the highest license you hold, unless you just recently obtained that license. When I was a CNA I was given 6 months to find an RN job before the hospital would terminate me, as they said it's a conflict to work with RNs and not report something if needed, etc. plus, nothing is more annoying than working as a CNA knowing you are an RN. Luckily I found a job pretty quickly.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
My advice is not to get a BSN. I suggest skipping it and doing RN to MSN. It can be done in 2 years or so, so it longer than a BSN, but shorter than RN to BSN to MSN.
USMCRN2015
186 Posts
Ya I think you have to work at the highest license you hold, unless you just recently obtained that license. When I was a CNA I was given 6 months to find an RN job before the hospital would terminate me, as they said it's a conflict to work with RNs and not report something if needed, etc. plus, nothing is more annoying than working as a CNA knowing you are an RN. Luckily I found a job pretty quickly.