Which path should I take to become a BSN?

[eharrison821]

My plan was to take the necessary prereqs at my community college and then apply to BSN programs at several four-year universities. I only have to take two more sciences until I'm ready so I figured it was time to meet with a counselor.

Well, I just got back from seeing the counselor who crushed my goals entirely. She said It was much too hard to get into those programs (BTW: My GPA for my nursing prereqs is 4.0...so far, and my overall GPA is 3.6). Furthermore, I was told that I would never be able to afford it (I am a mother of four small children, so I pay for my schooling with fee waivers and financial aid). She told me that the best path for me would be to apply to their 2-year ADN program and then bridge to BSN once I finish.

My fear is that, first of all, their program accepts 40 students from an application pool of roughly 400. From what I've read on the internet, many BSN programs at California State Universities have a much higher acceptance rate. Secondly, doesn't bridging from one degree to the next take longer?

Was I informed correctly? Is the bridge process the route to take, for someone like me? Just looking for some friendly advice. It really seemed like this counselor had an agenda to push students into the ADN program. My kids are growing older and needing more of my attention at school and in their social lives. I would like to finish my schooling within the next few years. Any wisdom from anyone who relates is useful! Thanks!

[RunBabyRN]

Was this a nursing counselor, or general school counselor?

I say apply to any CSU you can feasibly attend, along with ADN programs. See what works out. You have a good GPA and great prereq GPA. Have you taken the TEAS yet? Also, many CSUs are moving to a 2 year model for BSN, so you'd have your BSN in a shorter time than if you bridged later. You are correct- in general, doing an ADN program then bridging to BSN takes longer, but for some, it's the only route they can take for various reasons.

The acceptance rate at the CSUs was about like the school you mentioned- most schools received about 10x as many applicants as they had spots. I applied to 10 schools and got into 2. I generally advise people to cast a wide net and see what happens.

Do you have good support at home? A parenting partner that's able to step in as much as possible with the 4 kids? Nursing school, as I'm sure you already know, is very demanding, and support is absolutely VITAL when you have kids. Rally up support wherever it's available, have the numbers of babysitters available, have friends available to help where they can, buy a freezer to stack with make-ahead meals, etc.

Don't let this counselor crush your dreams. Honestly, she's talking out of her you-know-what.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Going straight through will get you there sooner. You will be eligible for state university grants - called seog or something like that to cover tuition if you attend a cal state university. You can also get a pell grant. You can also apply for loans.

The ADN nursing program is 2 yrs long. 4 semesters just like the nursing school portion of the BSN. You'll just have to add in the graduation requirements.

I planned to go straight for my BSN and did all the prereqs for it. Then life happened and I ended up getting my Lvn and then finishing the prereqs.

I will pursue the 1 yr bridge program at community college next.

Then I'll transfer back to a state university and earn my BSN. It is taking me longer, but I earn good money as an LVN while finishing up my prereqs.

You can do anything you put your mind to.

I think you have a good plan to avoid the waiting lists by applying to a competitive program. (-: