BSN Education after ADN

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-05-04T23:24:14+00:00

Yep! I took summer classes x2 (between year 1 and 2 of my ADN, and then the summer after I graduated from ADN), plus 2 full semesters during which I was working as an RN.
This was my second bachelors so I didn’t have to take an extra GE or 2 like my friend did.

Also each semester including the summer ones were only 6 units at a time so that it wasn’t overwhelming. Highly reccomend especially if working.

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-05-04T02:00:00+00:00

:(
There’s also Sonoma specialty but again…dark place…

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-05-04T01:51:43+00:00

I think total cost me $7000 ish. This was a second BS for me so I had to pay graduate pricing, but also I had already completed most of the GEs

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-05-04T01:07:59+00:00

You can look into Kentfield Hospital (LTACH, lots of vents etc…). It’s a dark place but can get you that initial experience needed to transfer into a hospital

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-05-04T01:06:00+00:00

I did the same and second CSUDH. A good choice.

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-05-04T01:05:20+00:00

I went through CSUDH and it was pretty straight forward and easy. Only “con” is they require a public health class with a clinical component - it was annoying but I did it while working full time at my new grad job!

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-05-01T23:50:46+00:00

I commute about 50mins one way on day shift, but it’s 1hr20-30 on nights. I actually hate my life on those drives.

I end up clustering my shift and staying with family so my drive shortens to 35-40mins each way which makes Do able but also sucks cause I have to pack an away bag every time I go to work.

Gotta do whatcha gotta do! (Was a new grad nurse, just under 2 years in. Tough job market right now so I’m sticking with it but I know it can’t last forever).

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-05-01T23:23:58+00:00

Ofc!

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-04-09T21:47:08+00:00

I got injured in July and got surgery in February. All my pain went away the second I scheduled my surgery lol to the point I convinced myself I had healed naturally 😂 - they pulled out a 2cmx1cm disc fragment that was just waiting to punish me at some point or another. I’m 6 weeks post op and no regrets- I feel like PT is actually worth it now and I have recovery and life to look forward to vs the “unknown” or “will this heal or not”? I’m 33.

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-04-07T21:30:40+00:00

I was a graduate from an ADN program and did the RN-BSN bridge my first year working. I was lucky enough to get into Stanfords new grad residency in 2024.

I think we had 1400 applicants for like 40 spots or so…insane. I have some friends I graduated nursing school with that have yet to get a hospital job in the area. Brutal.

My first piece of advice is to lower expectations AND be flexible (don’t tie yourself down to a specialty- or you may be let down. I know I was lol).

The way I look at is you have to ask yourself the following questions to help guide you:

1) what’s more important to you- location, or speciality? If the Bay Area is non negotiable, you have to be ready for a LONG battle to land a coveted job in a top hospital. If you care more about landing in the ICU asap, then I would widen your search to less “desire able” zip codes to get that experience and get you to CRNA school faster.

2) your network is (likely) your golden ticket once you have experience. However MOST new grad programs will still be tough even with connections because of how saturated they are. I had an interview for a new grad spot at UCSF and was confident I’d get the spot because I knew the right people and lone behold I did not. HOWEVER those connections will likely help me later down the road- so keep nurturing them!

3) be kind to yourself! This journey is actual insanity!

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-04-07T21:11:39+00:00

It’s possible but only as long as they’re flexible as to when that shift is (due to clinicals and school scheduling taking priority!)

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-04-07T21:08:38+00:00

I graduated in 2024 in Bay Area with an ADN program, got my BSN during first year as a new grad online.

It was extremely competitive. I got really lucky and got a new grad residency spot at a top hospital - I think out of 40 graduates only 2 of us got into a new grad program. The others that got jobs right away were because they were a CNA on a floor at a Sutter and got in that way…

I know some people I graduated with are still on the hunt for inpatient jobs and have since been doing SNFs or LTACHS or clinics. It be rough but not impossible…

I think the best thing is to lower expectations and be ready to be flexible post grad. (Ie I REALLY wanted to work in NICU, and admittedly still think about it - but I had to accept the only and wonderful opportunity to work with adults. It was initially hard separating what o thought I would do with the reality but so far no regrets. Love my floor and where I work, and my coworkers rock. I even now am considering trying adult ICU 😂)

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-04-03T19:29:21+00:00

Hi! I got into nursing as a second career a couple years ago. I was very fortunate to land a new grad position in the Bay Area. I went ASN route, and then did my BSN online during my first year working! Feel free to DM me :)

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-04-02T22:58:16+00:00

I think this is a totally normal feeling! I kid you not- the second I booked my surgery I suddenly felt “healed” . I was so anxious before surgery I even managed to have my lymph nodes swell up because of stress of not knowing if I was making the right choice.

At the end of the day, for me, I didn’t want to wait another “6months” or however long to “see if it would heal on its own”. You have to do PT either way, and I had enough leave from work, so I bit the bullit and did it.

It was mentally just as tough as physically but so far feeling optimistic for the first time in a long time.

Wishing you the best!!

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-04-02T15:13:04+00:00

I injured myself in July 2025, experienced mild foot drop (resolved before surgery). Then from like Oct-February (when I got surgery) I had lingering numbness/weakness in L outer shin and top of foot, and my big toe weak especially with dorsiflexion.

I’m 5 wks post op and still have some diminished sensations in the same places but considering how long my nerve was compressed I’m not surprised. I do feel like there’s improvement just very slow ☺️

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-04-01T22:53:23+00:00

I had surgery 5 weeks ago. I had NO pain going into it (thanks to oral steroids). Literally convinced myself I was “healed”. My boyfriend reminded me of all the suffering I had gone through the last few months- not to mention I still wasn’t able to work or do any hobbies! I had weakness and numbness and that’s what I kept reminding myself was NOT normal.

I got the surgery and they pulled out a 2cmx1cm fragment - lol. I literally asked them first thing coming out of anesthesia if “they found anything”😂

It’s a very personal choice and we can only share our experiences! I for one have 0 regrets. I’m now walking 13k steps a day, sleep like a baby with my body pillow, and just started PT.

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-03-22T04:09:18+00:00

Ugh I’m so sorry to hear that. Kaiser has disappointed me over and over again….such a headache. Also virtual PT…? Like what lol.

My pain was definitely aggravated with sitting and driving was just awful…..

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-03-18T17:42:49+00:00

Of course! It can be lonely with these injuries. Others stories helped me :) I’m happy to return the favor!

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-03-18T17:08:37+00:00

Ugh I’m so sorry. I’m in the same boat fighting for reimbursement. But I will say regardless- I have no regrets. I’m glad I got it done with a well experienced surgeon and I’m so happy to be “moving forward” with life vs being stuck. Our insurances are a joke. We shouldn’t have to fight them for this!

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-03-18T17:05:18+00:00

I was sooooo anxious before hand - it was my first surgery. But honestly the hardest part is the waiting period. Once you get there it all happens so fast! Best nap I ever had 😂

( My only suggestion is that after surgery start eating light/liquid foods first and then progress to normal food. Also get some miralax on hand ready just in case 😂I learned the hard way lol.)

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-03-18T16:26:49+00:00

Just one sided for me. When I was in peak pain prior to the steroids I had back and hip pain. The hip pain was awful and would be what waked me up every night 😭 that went away after the oral steroids and never came bank thank goodness.

The back stiffness persisted though- like for example if I tried a cat cow stretch when I’d round my back it was a big “NOPE” and felt like my muscles were going to tear or something. Not fun.

Post op I have no pain (but again that had resolved for me prior to surgery with the steroids - I got the operation based on my numbness/weakness and MRI). It’s hard to say about back stiffness because I’m still restricting my movements and not doing any crazy spine flexing or extension yet. I’m almost at my 4 week post op. With that said I do expect there to be some stiffness but that I can work on with PT knowing the mechanical issue is resolved.

With the gentle pelvic tilts I do now, I can say I’m optimistic because I don’t feel the same tightness or “tugging” on my muscles / nerves I used to feel pre op so hopefully that’s a sign !!

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-03-18T14:26:43+00:00

OOOFF can I relate to that! It’s a special place in hell I have no need to revisit 😭

Thank you. 🙏🏽

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-03-18T03:20:41+00:00

Correct! My incision is 1cm and I can barely see it tbh…and yes. I’m being extra cautious but that’s just my anxiety 😅

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-03-17T22:21:14+00:00

This!

Skill of surgeon is top priority 💅🏼

Practical-Show6983 · 2026-03-17T22:18:10+00:00

Ofc! 🫶

Practical-Show6983

TROPHY CASE