ADN nurses with other BS degree

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone. I recently was accepted in my local community colleges AAS RN program (they have a FANTASTIC program there). I chose this route instead of an accelerated BSN program because of the course schedule and know I can further myself to a BSN or MSN after my RN. I guess what I am asking is, did you find that having a BS degree helped you at all after achieving your ADN in finding jobs or furthering your education? I see so many threads and info on needing the BSN now to get a job or get into a MSN program even though they say another BS is acceptable. My BS degree is in biology/animal science with a pre-vet track so I have had many additional classes than the regular biology degree (2 semesters of biochem, 2 semesters of Ochem, genetics, human parasitology, reproduction, disease, graduated with honors with my own research) and I also went to vet school for a year and did well (I left for financial reasons). I'm sure all these factors led to my acceptance in the ADN program even though my GPA wasn't ridiculously high, my NLN was as high as you can get. I'm not exactly worried about it, just curious really if I have a leg up or not. Thanks.

Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

I have a BA in psychology and an ADN. I believe that the BA might have given me an edge in getting my first job (on a mental health unit). Also, if I ever did decide to go back for another degree, the general education stuff is already done.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

BS in anything other than nursing counts for nothing.

BSN = BSN

ADN + BS in any other field = ADN

Magnet hospitals will consider an ADN with a BS degree to be an ADN.

I have a BS in bio and went the ADN route....it was great for me. The BS was helpful in getting scholarships etc too. All the science came easily to me but I still had to learn the "nursing" part of things. That is a whole new world. Just graduated btw!!

I find that the BS is helping with jobs too. The market is a little slow for new grads, but I've had recruiters tell me that my previous degree gives me a leg up.

Good luck to you!

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

You don't need a BSN to get an MSN. You can go from ADN to MSN directly and bypass the BSN completely. This is true whether or not you have a BS in another field or not.

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

when we hire for a staff nurse we PREFER a BSN simply because the program lasted long enough for the individual to get an idea what nursing is about and was exposed to more concepts in learning. However, most of our staff is actually ADN. Our hospital is small, so few MSN positions available. MSN without experience would not be attractive to our Directors.

I have a BS in Health Care Administration and am currently starting my last year of an ADN program. Does anyone know a good MSN program that is online and accepts previous BS degree. Thanks.

Specializes in LTC.

I have a BS in Business Admin and am about to finish my ADN next summer. My previous degree certainly helps when selling myself. I too like the above post am planning on skipping the BSN and going directly into an RN-MSN program. REason being first I have a pasion for education, and second I feel at this point that getting a BSN only will end up with me still being in the same boat possibly given the market for nurses. I am taking a leap so to speak and plan on becoming a nurse practitioner!

Hello everyone. I recently was accepted in my local community colleges AAS RN program (they have a FANTASTIC program there). I chose this route instead of an accelerated BSN program because of the course schedule and know I can further myself to a BSN or MSN after my RN. I guess what I am asking is, did you find that having a BS degree helped you at all after achieving your ADN in finding jobs or furthering your education? I see so many threads and info on needing the BSN now to get a job or get into a MSN program even though they say another BS is acceptable. My BS degree is in biology/animal science with a pre-vet track so I have had many additional classes than the regular biology degree (2 semesters of biochem, 2 semesters of Ochem, genetics, human parasitology, reproduction, disease, graduated with honors with my own research) and I also went to vet school for a year and did well (I left for financial reasons). I'm sure all these factors led to my acceptance in the ADN program even though my GPA wasn't ridiculously high, my NLN was as high as you can get. I'm not exactly worried about it, just curious really if I have a leg up or not. Thanks.

The area hospitals in Philly that require a BSN don't consider an ADN + previous 4 year degree as a substitute. I know there are grad programs that do consider a degree in another subject to substitute though.

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