For those of you who did a bridge from RN to BSN, did you work while in school?
Im super fortunate that I didn't really have to work during my ADN, (I am done in September) and Im wondering if completing the BSN is as challenging as the ADN program.
Have you seen many people struggle with working and in a BSN at the same time? Is it like the ADN, where everyone tells you NOT to work at all?
Input from other programs as well! Did you work during your MSN, or PA, or ARNP or CRNA program?
I am doing an online RN to BSN program, and it is completely doable for me working full time nights. But if I was doing a classroom program requiring face to face time, that might be a different story. I worked during my ADN too and it was rough but I made it.
Do you mind sharing how you were able to work and do the ADN program? I'm always looking to hear stories like that for inspiration and encouragement.
I teach in an RN-BSN program. I also work in a hospital and have several friends who are in RN-BSN programs.
The fact is that some schools are more rigorous than others and require more commitment on the part of the student. If a program requires a level of work and commitment equal to a traditional, high-quality education ... a "full time" student should expect to work the number of hours equivalent to a "full time" job -- 35-40 hours per week. With such a program, it is almost impossible to do a good job if you both work full time and go to school full time. However, it would be possible to do one (work or school) full time while doing the other on a part time basis. It would also be possible to do both on a part time basis. Most of the people I know do one (either work or school) full time and the other on a part time basis. In other words, they either work full time and take 1 or 2 courses per semester ... or they go to school full time and only work part time.
However, there are a lot of RN-BSN programs out there that are not all that rigorous. They may require a lot of "busy-work" to complete, but they don't require the deep intellectual work that necessitates you spend 10 hours per course per week. If that's the type of program you are planning to attend, then you may be able to handle more working and/or more courses per semester.
Any pointers for this? What should I look for to determine academic rigor? Thanks :)
lebelesprit_
64 Posts
Do you mind sharing how you were able to work and do the ADN program? I'm always looking to hear stories like that for inspiration and encouragement.