When to start BSN after ADN

Published

Hi everyone

I'll be graduating from my ADN program in the near future. I want to get started on my BSN as soon as possible but I'm worried about starting to work as a new nurse and also balancing a RN-BSN program. I'm really excited to start working as a new nurse and I'm mentally preparing for the challenge. I know it'll be difficult adjusting to the life of a floor nurse. My question is for the ADN graduates, how long did you wait if at all to start a BSN bridge program after getting your first nursing job. Do you have any suggestions on good bridge programs? I've looked online at some already, and price is not an issue. My college is opening a new BSN program at my school but I'm not sure I want to do that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinical Pediatrics; Maternal-Child Educator.

I waited about a year and a half before returning for my RN-BSN. This gave me some time to scope out programs, save up money for tuition, and develop a better understanding of nursing.

Recommendations for bridge programs are pretty specific to the area in which you're in. You can expand out if needed. My bridge program was located at a university about two and a half hours from me and was completed mostly online. I did chose to do a program that required leadership clinical which I greatly enjoyed. I felt like I gained a lot of good insight and experience from that. Most local or state schools are better options than universal online programs as far as quality and employer recognition in my opinion.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I went right into a BSN program as I started my internship as a brand new nurse. For me, it was a big mistake. Being a new nurse is pretty anxiety inducing and overwhelming. My internship program was rigorous, so coming home to more studies put me in information overload.

I dropped the BSN program, got my feet under me, then returned a year and a half later to not only finish it, but go on to sequentially completely my MSN.

By my own experience, wait at least a year would be my advice.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 5/7/2020 at 6:27 AM, Nurse SMS said:

I went right into a BSN program as I started my internship as a brand new nurse. For me, it was a big mistake. Being a new nurse is pretty anxiety inducing and overwhelming. My internship program was rigorous, so coming home to more studies put me in information overload.

I dropped the BSN program, got my feet under me, then returned a year and a half later to not only finish it, but go on to sequentially completely my MSN.

By my own experience, wait at least a year would be my advice.

Thank you for the advice. This was my concern.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't know why I asked this question knowing dang well I was going to do it anyway. & y'all were right, I should have waited haha but oh well. I'm so busy & stressed all the time. I am determined to finish what I started here though. Literally just came back here to rant, ugh.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion