Seeking guidance for pursuing a second bachelor's--In Nursing

RunBabyRN · Jan 8, 2015

Yes, you are correct- you can do your prereqs through a community college (or university, if you want to spend the $$, but there's not generally an advantage). You will need to apply for the programs separately, and once you graduate, you will be eligible to take the NCLEX (once you apply to the state board and they send you your authorization to test).

There are ABSN programs for those with a bachelor's degree, and you can look to see if SFSU or CSUEB have these options. I know SSU has a 2 year traditional BSN program, but I'm not sure how long the other two are now.

Each program will list the necessary prereqs on their web pages, and each program will vary some, so it's important to check thoroughly and frequently, as they may change from one semester to the next (minor changes, usually).

sheruns83 · Jan 8, 2015

Your best bet would be to find a school that has an accelerated BSN program or 2nd degree BSN program. Once you find a school then you would need to find out what other pre reqs you need that you don't already have. Most BSN programs want you to have chemistry, statistics on top of ap 1 and 2 and microbiology. If you aren't in a rush to start nursing school, then this is the route i would go. However if you are like me and need to start the program right away then try to get into a BSN or ADN program. Im doing ADN and then RN-BSN or RN-MSN depending on money.

ThatBigGuy · Jan 8, 2015

Understand that staying in Ca for your nursing degree will mean that you are looking at a significantly longer road to becoming a nurse, simply because the schools in your state are so impacted with applications.

Every school has a set of pre-requisites they require, and every school has different requirements. So before you begin taking your pre-reqs, you need to determine which schools you would prefer to attend, and then make a master list of all the pre-reqs.

Your next step is to take those pre-reqs, preferably at a community college that will transfer the credits to the programs you have chosen. You need to contact your chosen nursing programs directly to make sure the classes will transfer.

Then you need to get all A's in your pre-reqs, because nursing programs in Ca have so many students applying that they can choose the very best.

Once you have completed all your pre-reqs, then place applications to every school you can. Your previous degree will improve your chances generally, because you've already proven you can complete a degree. However, the sheer numbers of applicants in your state means there are plenty of second degree seeking students as well.

Then you wait. Once accepted into a program, the rest is easy: you pass, graduate, and sit for the NCLEX. Once you pass the NCLEX, then you're officially a Registered Nurse.

It sounds easy, and in many states, it is. You spend a year on your pre-reqs and two years on your BSN, and then you're an RN. However, this can stretch much longer in Ca. This three years could easily stretch into 6 years or longer, especially if you have poor grades in your previous degree or stumble in your pre-reqs.

The biggest issue will be the wait to be accepted into the schools you applied for. Where I am in the Southwest, as a second degree student, I had zero wait time. You'll find that your wait in Ca will oftentimes be years. Moving from the coast will help diminish that wait time, but that's a decision that should not be made lightly.