How long for BSN?...

16 posts · started Sep 9, 2007

Boochie1 Sep 9, 2007, 7:44 PM
Hi Everybody! I was wondering if anyone knows how long it takes to get your BSN if you have your ADN AND have all of your GEC's done already. I have read online that it can take 1-2 years but I dont need any GEC's... Has anyone done this before from RN-BSN? Or does anybody know anything about it? Any info would be awsome... Thanks so much :D:confused:
pipingmad Sep 9, 2007, 9:20 PM
I would say that 1-2 years sounds right. I'm not sure because I didn't go that route, but I think the only real differences between ADN and BSN education is the extra classes that prep you for managerial roles. At my program, those would be professionlism, and leadership. Oh, also you'd have a research class.

As with any education, it really depends on how much time you can put into it. Would you be stuck taking only one class per semester/quarter, or could you take a few at a time?
pipingmad Sep 9, 2007, 11:53 PM
AmandaWIRN wrote:You'll also have public health or community health nursing classes- something that isn't included in ADN programs

ah yes. wasn't sure about those. In fact, I didn't even remember them. lol
cassioo Sep 10, 2007, 2:40 AM
It depends on what else you have to do (ie work, family etc) but 1-2 years should do it. There are lots of online classes now with less clinical work I took 4 years just because I did 1 class at a time while working and having 3 little kids. The best way to find out is check with the school you want to go to and see what they require.
SoldierNurse Sep 10, 2007, 8:46 AM
My RN-BSN program was via UTMB, Galveston School of Nursing. We had to go to the campus at the start of every semester, as well as a few times each semester. I was working full-time as an RN [ADN] while in the program. I took two courses [except one semester took only one course] every semester and finished less than 2 years.

The other post were correct regards to the additional BSN courses R/T research [which I hated], and community health, as well as nurse management courses. I encourage all ADNs' to pursue a BSN sooner, or later. The benefit being a BSN can open doors to other nursing career paths. Nonetheless, ADNs' are still great nurses. My wife has been an ADN for almost 15 years and can do circles around most BSN educated nurses.

Good luck!
Boochie1 Sep 10, 2007, 3:32 PM
Thanks for all the responses!... The school im interested in has 6 required nursing classes and I think that will be all I need. My situation is that I attended the school I am interested in for 3 years ( as a marketing major), left this year to pursue an ADN but I plan on returning to that school when I finish my adn.

I dont want to work during and I dont have any children so I hope it will take a year or less since the school does semesters & I could take 3-4 each semester. Thanks again everybody....:D

MagRedC5-- You think a BSN is definately worth it tho? My sis is in the same situation & she only wants her ADN but I would like to have my BSN....
SoldierNurse Sep 10, 2007, 6:31 PM
Boochie1 wrote:...MagRedC5-- You think a BSN is definately worth it tho? My sis is in the same situation & she only wants her ADN but I would like to have my BSN....

Yes, a BSN is definitely worth it in the long run. However, my wife is an awesome nurse [ADN] and she has no desire for BSN.

... only you can decide what is best for you

:)
pipingmad Sep 11, 2007, 12:23 AM
one of the things about the length of time to get either degree is the requirements/prereqs to get into an ADN program. My understanding is that often it takes 2 or more years to get those done, in many cases before you can even apply to get into the ADN program. In that same time, you'd already have 2 years of a BSN done (if you were accepted right into it as a freshman or transfer in).

Granted, that also depends on the BSN program and size of the school.
SoldierNurse Sep 11, 2007, 6:59 AM
pipingmad wrote:one of the things about the length of time to get either degree is the requirements/prereqs to get into an ADN program. My understanding is that often it takes 2 or more years to get those done, in many cases before you can even apply to get into the ADN program. In that same time, you'd already have 2 years of a BSN done (if you were accepted right into it as a freshman or transfer in).

Granted, that also depends on the BSN program and size of the school.
It has been my experience that ADN programs have shorter waiting list than BSN programs. Plus, BSN prereqs out number the ADN prereqs. So, IMHO your logic seems a little backwards.
pipingmad Sep 12, 2007, 12:36 AM
MagRedC5 wrote:It has been my experience that ADN programs have shorter waiting list than BSN programs. Plus, BSN prereqs out number the ADN prereqs. So, IMHO your logic seems a little backwards.

all depends on the size of the program. It worked for mine which is a small private college. yes, larger universities probably would have big wait lists.
SoldierNurse Sep 12, 2007, 4:59 PM
pipingmad wrote:all depends on the size of the program. It worked for mine which is a small private college. yes, larger universities probably would have big wait lists.
You must admit, the prereq list for BSN will be longer than for ADN. :p
cougarnurse Sep 12, 2007, 10:56 PM
Yes, it is. I'd done the LPN to BSN bit, and had about 4 or 5 extras to do. Took me about 2 years part time, and 1 year full time to get my degree. Then again, I worked pretty much full time, have a mortgage..... :D :p :D It all depends on what you want/can afford.

BTW...I went to a private college. It was worth it.
OldSquidNewNurse Sep 12, 2007, 11:17 PM
MagRedC5 wrote:You must admit, the prereq list for BSN will be longer than for ADN. :p

I'm in an ADN program, and having less prereq's was one of my attractions to it. Despite what some people think, in my program we do take community health classes. Having a BSN gives people a leg up on positions in management, public health, etc. In may case it doesn’t make any sense since I already have two bachelor degrees. I'm looking at a direct to MSN program specializing in nursing informatics.
pipingmad Sep 13, 2007, 12:25 AM
MagRedC5 wrote:You must admit, the prereq list for BSN will be longer than for ADN. :p

why do I have to admit that?

As all of us do, we speak from our opinions, education, experience, and first-hand knowledge.

As I said, I went to a small private college. My program didn't have a huge waiting list. It didn't have a list of prereqs that had to be completed before being allowed into the major or before you could take the first few nursing related classes. For freshmen, the "prereqs" were incorporated into their first year. For transfers, they were simply plugged into the program and had to take anything they had not done prior. Sure there was an occassional course they had to take before some others or concurrently, but they were not excluded from the program.
SoldierNurse Sep 13, 2007, 11:17 AM
pipingmad wrote:why do I have to admit that?

As all of us do, we speak from our opinions, education, experience, and first-hand knowledge.

As I said, I went to a small private college. My program didn't have a huge waiting list. It didn't have a list of prereqs that had to be completed before being allowed into the major or before you could take the first few nursing related classes. For freshmen, the "prereqs" were incorporated into their first year. For transfers, they were simply plugged into the program and had to take anything they had not done prior. Sure there was an occassional course they had to take before some others or concurrently, but they were not excluded from the program.
I can definitely appreciate your first-hand experience. Yes, your BSN program is set-up in a way for quicker entry than others. However, I'd bet your transcript has more courses listed on it than someone with an ADN. Again, I think it is awesome your BSN program had less of a wait than most other ADN, or BSN programs for that matter.

You certainly don't have to admit anything. This is not some kind of show down. My only show down is with terrorist & insurgents but I digress.

BTW, I can hardly wait to get back to the Puget Sound area, but until then I'll deal with the Sandbox.