Which route should I go- ADN or BSN?

[litchi]

I need some opinions, please. I'm currently looking to start nursing school in the Fall '10 semester and don't know whether or not going the ADN route or BSN route would be best.

A little background- I currently have a BA in fine art. I'm finishing up my last two pre-reqs right now, A&P I and II, at a community college. I had been previously enrolled at the local four year university but, due to issues with the A&P instructor there, dropped the class. I had actually been accepted into their BSN program for this semester, but dropping A&P I set me back a year to have all my pre-reqs completed before entrance. I don't regret it, though. I love the teachers at the little CC I'm at and feel like I'm really learning.

Right now, I'm planning on applying to both the ADN program at the CC I'm at now and the BSN program at the university as well. I'm fairly confident that I'll be accepted to both. The thing is, I'm not sure which I should choose if I do get accepted to both programs.

I could have either my ADN or BSN in the same amount of time. Based on that, the BSN seems like the most logical choice. I might have a little advantage in getting a job as a new grad with a BSN as well. However, the courseload is much heavier and with previous issues with instructors on that particular campus I'm slightly concerned. I would like to eventually go on to get my MSN in something, so it's important to me that I do well and actually learn. If I choose the ADN program I'll only have one or two classes to take per semester, so I'll be able to focus my attention and more than likely do better. I could do the online RN-BSN bridge program while getting the experience I'd need for whatever MSN program I end up choosing. Either way would eventually get me to where I want to go.

It doesn't really matter to me if one takes a little longer, what's important to me is that I get the best education I can so I can be a great nurse.

So.. given the situation, which route do you guys think I should take?

[OrthoFNP]

I was in the same boat. I have a B.A. also. I ultimately decided to go with the ADN, due to a scholarship I was awarded for my ACT score. So, for me it was a matter of finances. I also want to get a master's. At first I thought I would have to do an RN-BSN bridge and then do a master's program, but I recently discovered that is not the case. You can actually go straigh to a master's program as long as you have a bachelor's and your ADN! They are ADN-MSN programs and several schools have them!!! So...that is my plan.

[theykallmekem]

in my case, i decided to go with the ADN first purely because of financial status. the BSN program was just out of reach money wise and would be a huge commitment as well. not to say the ADN is not a huge commitment, but since i work, i need my job to pay for school and if i enrolled on the BSN program, i most likely would not be able to keep my job.

if you can, go for the BSN and get it over with. with the ADN, there is a chance you might not want to go back to school, which is my fear when i finish my program because ill be so eager to work. but seeing as money does not seem like an issue to you, i have heard that the ADN has more clinical experience VS the university BSN.

my friend is in his 3rd year at BSN program. he only goes to the hospital once a week. he started going to the hospital this year only. i am in my first semester in my ADN CC based program. i go to the hospital twice a week. he also has classes at the university, and i have only 1 lecture a week for 3 hrs, and workshops along the semester with nursing skills. i already took all my prereqs so i am good with school.

its all a matter of what you want to do, i do agree the CC teachers are really nice and helpful and have alot more clinical experience because they are based on the hospital. and i am learning alot from them that is not on the curriculum.

so the choice is yours. if it was me, i would do the BSN program because of the time as well as "getting it over with". but i am quite content with my current ADN program. best of luck with school.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Earn your BSN degree if your ultimate plan to make a career out of nursing for the years to come. If you become injured while doing physical bedside work or your body becomes simply no longer able to handle the demands, a BSN degree will more easily open the doors to the less physical jobs in management, insurance, education, etc.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[CuriousMe]

If clinical time is important to you, I'd check out how much is in each program and the quality of it. I know one of the things that I love about my BS program is that I have clinical experiences outside the hospital....so, locked-psych units, wound care clinics, immunization clinics, local school systems, hospice, etc.

I confess that at first I was less than enthusiastic about all these experiences....after all, the real stuff to learn was in the hospital right? But, what I've learned at the rest of these places has changed everything about how I interact with my patients, no matter where we are.

These placements might not be improving my specific clinical "skills" (ie, IV's, foley's, managing patient load, etc)....but they're drastically impacting my clinical judgement, assessment and communication skills. Coming back in to the hospital now (we're in the hopsital--at minimum--a third of every year), I expect the concrete skills to be a lot easier to layer on top of the other skills I've developed and anticipate that I'll have plenty of time work on the integration of all my skill sets during my 6 month one-on-one preceptorship before graduation.

My point is, look at the numbers (do compare how much clinical you'll get in each program) but I'd talk to grads of each as well if you can and see what they thought about their program.

Personally I chose the BS program I'm in because it has more clinical hours than the ADN's in the area (but it's also a three-year program, so a year of pre-reqs and three years of program, including clinicals...this year--my2nd--we have 15 hours a week). I think it will better prepare me for my future goals.

Additionally, unless the A&P Prof is part of the nursing department.....I wouldn't judge their program by him.

I wish you the best of luck as you apply and the best of everything as you make your decisions.

Peace,

Cathie

[litchi]

Thanks for all the replies! I still haven't made up my mind, but you guys gave me some really good points to think about. I really do appreciate all your input.

litchi

[Chapis]

which school is a better school?

then which ever is the answer, go for that one.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

I'm doing an RN (ADN) because I already have a BSc. If a BSN seems needed once I qualify I hopefully will be somewhere where they can help me pay for it.

[OrthoFNP]

I am with DolceVita! That is a great point. Once we obtain the ADN, we will be able to take advantage, once working at the hospital, of education reimbursement possibly! Plus there is the whole BA+RN to MSN program. I made my decision based on financial reasons. Everyone has to weigh their options. GOOD LUCK!!! Either decision you make will be the right one.