Getting from Point “A” to Point RN: Which RN Pathway Works Best for You?
So, you want to become an RN?
Even if you don’t plan to accumulate as many nursing credentials and degrees as Sandra Lindsay, becoming an RN involves intensive training and education. But what skills should you have? What kind of training and education does an RN need? Are there different RN “flavors” to choose from?
The options can seem pretty daunting if you don’t have a guide, but DailyNurse is here to help! We consulted with an expert on RN education—none other than Adriana Glenn, Ph.D., MA, MN, RN, FNP-BC (see above re credentials and degrees). Dr. Glenn was a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) for three decades and has been an educator for over 10 years. And, as Director of the RN-BSN Program Track at the George Washington University School of Nursing, she is the go-to person for nursing students who… need to find out what they need to know. Below, Dr. Glenn answers the questions she often gets from her GWU nursing students, along with a few that they should ask.
What are the most useful skillsets for an RN education?
Focus on developing strong study skills. Here are six important skill sets that will serve you well as a student and as an RN throughout your career:
- Effective note-taking – explore the different methods of note-taking. There are some formats that work better for some courses than others in terms of recording and recalling information.
- Reading skills – engaging in active learning strategies when reading the text by developing questions from readings for your study group or to ask in class. Read with intent and focus on mastery of key concepts emphasized in your course objectives and lectures.
- Listening – really listen to the instructor/professor’s voice inflection as well as verbal indicators of important content.
- Recall and memory – review class notes and concepts that are challenging daily, think about making flashcards (hard copy or electronic), and take advantage of learning the various acronyms and mnemonic available online (via images, YouTube videos, etc.).
- Critical thinking – Develop intellectual curiosity; make it routine to be curious, creative, and think critically!
- Time management – it is critical to learn how to use your study time in an efficient and productive way. Nursing school requires mastery of vast amounts of content that must be balanced with your life obligations. There are many great approaches you should explore that can help ranging from the use of a day planner to spaced learning review, prioritizing tasks, or assessing for “time wasters” in your life.
What are the key points I should consider when selecting my RN career path?
Of course, all prospective nursing students should consider the general aspects of a nursing program, like accreditation, NCLEX-RN® pass rates, location, education delivery format (i.e., in-person vs online), class schedules, and pacing. However, as an individual potential nursing student, you really need to reflect on:
- The type of learner you are (auditory, visual)
- Your proficiency and comfort with technology
- Your financial resources/financial plan
- The amount of time you have available to pursue a nursing degree.
If finances are an issue, you may enter the nursing profession in stages. For example, a person may elect to attain their Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) credentials and then move on to an ADN which allows them to work as a nurse while moving through the coursework needed to become an RN. This is a path, but it is not a necessary or required path. Attaining the LPN is not a guaranteed path to attaining your RN; while both tracks provide the end result of a license, the licenses are different and the nursing responsibilities are different as are the level and types of knowledge required.
What are the different RN pathways, and what kinds of career options do they prepare you for?
Regardless of the path you choose, you will have to pass the NCLEX-RN® exam, but you can approach the test from four different pathways. From the least common to the most common, you can select the RN path that best fits your goals, interests, finances, and life situation:
- RN-Diploma
- Direct entry masters (MSN—not to be confused with an advanced practice MSN)
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
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RN-Diploma Program (not a degree)
This is a hospital-based apprenticeship-type program and is how “professional” nursing started if you will. Less than 100 of these programs still exist mostly in the East and Midwest with the vast majority in PA and NJ. These nurses will only be able to work in hospitals/acute care settings.
RN-Diploma programs are fairly rare, and I will not go into detail as they do not lead to a degree. However, one thing they have in common with the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) path is that they are generally the fastest way to becoming an RN. The programs are generally 3 years in length, require a high school diploma/GED for admission, and these programs are affiliated with hospitals. There are less than 100 of these programs nationwide. The diploma pathway prepares the RN to practice exclusively in the hospital as that is how the program was designed on an apprenticeship type model.
Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing (MSN):
Sometimes referred to as a generalist entry master’s, this path is at the opposite end of the educational spectrum from a diploma program (if you dream of a Sandra Lindsay level nursing career, at some point you’ll need not the direct entry master’s, but an advanced practice nursing MSN).
This MSN degree is designed for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree who want to become RNs. It is what’s known as a generalist master’s degree in nursing, and is offered by a number of colleges/universities. The aim is to provide a non-ADN/non-BSN graduate with a nursing education that will allow them to be eligible to take the NCLEX. It is an alternative to the accelerated BSN and may help with regards to obtaining aid packages since it is not another bachelor’s degree. It usually takes up to 24 months to complete a direct-entry MSN program. This degree should NOT be confused with the MSN needed (currently) to become an APRN.
One benefit from this pathway is that in addition to making you eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam, you will also be eligible for certification as a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). A CNL is a nurse who is prepared to be a leader at the bedside and at the organizational level particularly in health care facilities like hospitals. It is notable, many share clinical experiences in this pathway are limited. The point I want to emphasize here is this: nurses with a generalist entry master’s are not advanced practice nurses (APRNs), and this type of master’s degree does not guarantee automatic admission into a program that yields a master’s as an APRN.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) :
An ADN RN can be employed in a variety of settings, but they tend to work in acute care and long-term care settings (i.e., hospitals). The ADN pathway is one of the faster ways to attain the RN (barring the long waitlists for many to get accepted or get the needed classes).
ADN programs are mainly located on community college campuses. They prepare great “bedside” nurses which is what we need in the hospitals, and ADN-prepared nurses can also work in other settings like rehabilitation centers or in the community. This is a common path for people who have financial considerations or those looking to change careers.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN):
A BSN from a college/university is the recommended entry-level education for the nursing profession. The best-rounded (and best paid) RN nursing professionals have a BSN. A good program will prepare you for a nursing career in a variety of traditional and non-traditional settings, as the curriculum includes required courses like leadership, nursing research/evidence-based practice, and community/public health. A BSN education will help you acquire a broader knowledge base than an associate degree or diploma program and BSN/RNs are rewarded with greater pay and income potential.
Of course as a nursing professor, I want everyone to take the BSN pathway which aligns with what professional nursing organizations have advocated for as the entry-level degree for many years. The BSN offers the most comprehensive classes and supports greater employment opportunities as an entry-level nurse.
However, I am keenly aware the ability to obtain the BSN at the start is not a practical reality whether is stems from the amount of time, finances, or even on the university/college end the inability to accept applicants due to a faculty shortage and the fact clinical courses must maintain low student, instructor ratios for safety reasons and in accordance with state laws. In general, the long-term earnings and career opportunities are far greater with the attainment of the BSN.
In addition to the traditional BSN track, other options at this education level include RN to BSN programs (for those who have an associate degree) and accelerated BSN tracks.
Does one path better prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam better than others?
All pathways prepare nurses to provide safe, patient care meeting the minimum standards recommended by the profession and in alignment with our code of ethics. Passing the NCLEX-RN exam reflects an individual meeting the minimum standards. So, in terms of the exam, all pathways will prepare the individual for the NCLEX-RN.
What is your best advice for students considering becoming an RN?
Embrace all learning opportunities. Many students have their heart set on a specific area or specialty in nursing which is great. However, you can and will learn from every clinical rotation and you should embrace the opportunities offered to you fully.
Ask questions! Ask questions in class, connect with your faculty in and out of the classroom, explore your interests with faculty and get their perspective as well as ask for clarification of challenging course content. Faculty are people too and we worked (and some still work) as nurses! Also, connect with cohorts of nursing students ahead of you. Many nursing students are very happy to share their trials and errors in learning the material and managing clinicals
Develop your intellectual curiosity: this is done by asking questions but also by seeking knowledge outside of what is required for exams and quizzes. Try to connect concepts between the courses. Everything you learn in nursing school will apply to what you do as a nurse in some way. Also, engage in reflective practice (which is what we nurses do) how can something be done better or differently in a situation that may present again in the future.