When I first got accepted into a local ADN program, I was excited... However

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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It's a local community college. I live in a big college city where one university completely dominates. The local university (VCU) has a waiting list, and while the community college was competitive to get into, obviously the big university is even more competitive. Every time I tell someone I made it in and am starting soon, they always ask "Oh nice! Are you going to VCU?" to which I reluctantly say it's a 2 year program at a local college, and once I graduate and get my RN license I'll be doing a bridge BSN program at either VCU or ODU.

Everyone is happy for me, but I downplay the community college aspect and to be honest I feel it won't be the same. I haven't started yet, so I could be wrong, and I've been told otherwise, so I'm starting to think I may just be taking it for granted. I had to choose between going on the waiting list and just hope it happens soon, or buckling down and attending the community college for 2 years. I chose the latter. Anyone have any experience with the two?

I know nursing school isn't easy, and if I'm investing a ton of time and effort into this, I want the best schooling and experience I can get. I quit my corporate America job at 26 years old to pursue something that would provide much more satisfaction for my hard work.

Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.
So rn to bsn programs allow to you start them before you have your rn :)

Actually, look around because I know of at least one that does. They allow dual enrollment while you are doing your ADN program. Don't know if it is available everywhere. I couldn't imagine doing that though, my ADN program kept me incredibly busy.

I had a similar experience. Where I live we have a university and a community college both with RN programs. I got into community college and every time I told someone I was in school to be a nurse it's "oh are you going to 'university name'" and it made me feel like shame on me for not getting into a BSN program. You know what, I finished school...I'm an RN... I took the NCLEX just the same as the BSN students. I should not be shamed that I got an ADN first and plan to bridge later. I am proud of my school. And apparently the community and local hospitals love us too because most of my class has found work.

OP do not downplay your school. Be proud that you are being trained in a respected profession where, even with "just" an ADN you can make a very stable living. You can get your BSN later. But don't let others make you feel bad for not jumping straight in or waiting for the BSN program.

Specializes in hospice.

You're 26. Let me tell you something you will KNOW in 15 years. The big name brands are usually overpriced and not worth paying the premium that comes with the name.

CC ADN programs have been turning out good nurses for decades, and their graduates have less debt to pay off.

Drop the shame, work your butt off, and become a nurse.

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

You say "VCU," so I am assuming you live in the Richmond, Va area. Look around. There are lots of BSN programs in Virginia if you are able to relocate a short distance. ODU (in Norfolk) has a dual enrollment agreement with Thomas Nelson Community College (with a campus up around Williamsburg somewhere) if you have a BS in another field. You take your nursing clinical classes at the CC, but take the nursing theory, research, etc. courses online through ODU. For most people, it means 1 more full time semester to finish the BSN after they get the ADN from the Community College. They have similar agreements with some other Community Colleges, too.

But ... if you have to go to the Community College ... it may be OK. A lot of the Virginia CC's have pretty good nursing programs. It's the for-profits that are the problem in Virginia. Avoid those.

Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Where I'm at, the community college actually has a better reputation for turning out good nurses than the 3 other universities in the local area. So, I'm saving money getting the ADN first. I'll work as an RN while I bridge to BSN (at a big name school) and have good prospects for getting hired. Can't wait to be done this May!!!

A lot of good advice in here. Glad to hear similar situations have worked out great! Thanks for the feedback. To clarify a few things - I was accepted into the RN program at a local community college. I was number 38 out of 70 accepted applicants. I have a 3.6 GPA with a year and a half of prereqs finished. Here are my current options:

Finish ADN with CC then pursue bridge program with VCU (or other schools offering it at that time)

Complete BSN classes along with my ADN in a concurrent program with ODU. This will give me a BSN in two years, which is great as I am in situation where I can focus solely on school, until I want to be a CNA/tech for the experience, which will be in 6 months to a year.

I am from and reside where VCU is located. And I see nothing wrong with the path you have taken to become a nurse by attending a CC. I am going back to school and attending a local CC is the best option for me. I think people automatically assume it is VCU because it is the main college in the area. And a good thing about CCs in VA is that credits are transferable, especially prerequisites. Just be sure that some of your credits taken at the CC can satisfy both your CC program and go towards a Bachelors of Science at ODU/VCU (Esp. your math).

Really? You're like the mob wife who wears the mink coat, but won't admit that it fell off the back of a truck. If you're embarrassed to go to a jc then don't bring it up. In my state students wait up to 2-3 years to get into a ADN program at the jc

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