The RN to BSN program is a great way for RN’s with an Associate’s degree to further their education. This is important for a lot of reasons. One reason is because a lot more hospitals are switching to using BSN nurses instead of ADN nurses. Another reason is because obtaining your BSN will allow you the option of going even further with your career (management) and nursing education (MSN or DNP/PhD).
I’m a bit biased, but in my experience, the nurses that started out with their Associates seemed to have a stronger clinical basis compared to those in a traditional BSN program. I think this is because of the differences in the curriculum (at least in the area I got my ADN). The ADN programs are very clinical based. The additional information necessary to complete a BSN is focused more on other areas, such as leadership, research, and community health.
I went to my community college (in Delaware) and completed my ADN. In their nursing program, after you completed your first year of clinicals, you were awarded a diploma in nursing and allowed to take the licensing exam to become a LPN. Then you continued on for your second year of clinicals and were awarded your ADN and the ability to take the licensing exam to become a RN.
I worked full time through my whole nursing program. In the beginning, I was working at a local grocery store, then once I completed my first year of clinicals, I got a job as a LPN. Once I finished my ADN, I stayed at my job as a LPN and just started working as a RN.
A few years later, I entered into a RN to BSN program. The program I was in was mostly online (there were a few things that had to be done in person). It took me about a year and a half to finish, but I didn’t take a full course load one semester because of moving. I could have completed it in a year if I took more classes. Now I am looking into MSN programs and trying to figure out what direction I want to take next in my nursing career.