Question by Allyson: FOR NURSING: Community college to university or straight to 4-year university?
I want to go to college for nursing.
I would like some advice on which route to take.

Option 1:
Go to a community college for 2 years, and get my RN license, and then transfer to a University for another 2 years to get my BSN.
The reason I would do this is to 1) save money, and 2) get a part-time job with my RN while I am going to school to get my BSN. So, I would be making good money while still in college, allowing me to pay back my loans quicker. I don’t know, just a thought.

Option 2:
Go straight to a 4-year university to get my BSN.
I heard some colleges have like a 5 year waiting list- what’s this mean? Also I heard it is difficult to go straight to a BSN, that you should have your RN, which makes the material you learn easier to understand..is this true? I wouldn’t be able to find a job in nursing, because I wouldn’t have my RN license, but would it just be better to go this way?

I am really confused on what to do, and would love as much info as I could get.

Thank you all for your answers.

Best answer:

Answer by Dave
Option 1.
1. Nobody really gives a damn about where your two year degree came from. Why spend the money.
2. As a registered nurse you can work and really master what you have learned. I was an EMT, but and could have gone straight into Paramedic, but working as an EMT I really learned what my certificate said I already knew. This really helped when I went to take Paramedic. The same is true of nursing, the more patients you get under your belt the better you understand the reason for the things you learn.
3. BSN isn’t necessary (at least here in florida) to have a long and glorious career in nursing. It equalls out to 1 dollar an hour more. Get your BSN if you are planning on becoming a Nurse practioner.
4. You really need to work in nursing to see if it is what you want to do. I have been a paramedic for quite a while and I’m finaly seeing that it isn’t what I want to do anymore. A lot of people site how much money and time I spent getting my license, but after the umpteenth exposure to MRSA, SARS, ORSA, and god knows what else. I just don’t enjoy it anymore. Believe me, many nurses quit after a few years. Its a good job, and very rewarding, but it isn’t for everybody.

Give your answer to this question below!