What would you do?

[xobeachbrattxo]

If you had the choice of either taking 2.5 years to get your ADN and then taking another year and a half to get your BSN making it a total of 4 years to get a BSN but getting to work with an associates degree for about a year or not getting your ADN and going straight into the BSN program and taking 3 years to finish up, which would you do? The pro's to going straight into the BSN program are finishing up sooner and getting a bachelor's degree but the con's are not having the year of work experience. I'm having a really hard time between this decision. Either way I will get my BSN but which would be the best way?? I'm also afraid that I would get really worn out by working and finishing my degree at the same time. Any help on this topic would be greatly appreciated!!

[Mona Mona, BSN, RN]

I, personally, am getting my ADN. Everyone's situation varies though. My ADN is still going to take about 4.5-5.5 years though. I have been on the waiting list since November 2004. I am taking my pre-requisite classes as I wait. I hope to get in Winter 2007. Then, it's 5 semesters of the actual Nursing Program.

However, the community college that I am going to has a way better pass rate for their NCLEX than do the two 4-year BSN offering universities in my area. Not to mention it is a WHOLE lot cheaper! I'm married with bills and a mortgage--I need to work as soon as I can. :)

I don't know if this helps you out at all....but for me, getting my ADN, then working part time and finishing up my BSN at one of the universities while gaining experience is the way that I am going.

Good luck to you!

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

Of course all our reponses are going to vary but if I were you I would get your BSN out of the way. I go to the University of Central Oklahoma and it has a good NCLEX pass rate and that is my main reason for choosing UCO--plus every nurse I have talked to always has good things to say about UCO's nursing program (OSU-OKC is another program, ADN, that I hear a lot of good about-- even from my own nursing instructors). I posted a link on here showing the NCLEX pass rates for all the colleges here in Oklahoma....I would start there first (at least I did).

Also find out what the retention rates are for each school you are interested in, it's not a good thing if most of the students are dropping or flunking out ya know?

Good luck!