Help with decision about ASN or BSN

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This may seem like a dumb question, but here it goes. I'm 38 and have taken all of my sciences and math classes. I have applied to two ASN programs that begin in Fall 08". I have also applied to two BSN programs. If for some reason I'm not accepted in the ASN programs I really don't want to go to school for another four years. I'll be 42 when I get out, I'm sick of being broke and four more years of this just seems like a sacrafice I may not be willing to make. I'd like to do it in two. Am I crazy? I thought I'd get some opinions from guys who have been in the same situation or who might be making the same decisions. Thanks in advance

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

The nursing portion of the BSN program is two years the same as the ASN.

Do you have other courses finished like Englishes, Sociology, etc. Because if you do the BSN won't take you 4 years, it might take just 2 to 3 years years and that would be worth it to get it out of the way. Because you might find yourself like me at age 48 finishing up an ASN to BSN program.

Good luck in whatever happens.

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Specializes in Clinical Student.

I took any elective that I could apply to my BSN when I was doing my ASN prerequisites. I turn 52 tomorrow and will be starting clinical in ten days. After I graduate I plan on using educational benefits from where I work to get my BSN, which will only amount to six classes total. If I want to put myself into it, that could be done in a year.;)

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Specializes in ICU.

Do you have a previous degree? If so you may qualify for an Accelerated BSN program.

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I do not have a degree. I wish I did. I know many people who have gotten their degrees later in life. I just have to come to terms with the fact that It might take me longer the get to where I want to be.

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Specializes in ICU.

One thing I found in my process of changing careers to Nursing is that there are people of all ages making this move. For me an ASN program would be great, an Accelerated program would be better, but the programs here are so competitive, I would take anything I can get into. Most programs calculate your time do prerequisites as your first year... but it depends on the school.

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

If you think you may ever want to go into management above a charge nurse level, a BSN is usually the minimum required. Diane

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This may seem like a dumb question, but here it goes. I'm 38 and have taken all of my sciences and math classes. I have applied to two ASN programs that begin in Fall 08". I have also applied to two BSN programs. If for some reason I'm not accepted in the ASN programs I really don't want to go to school for another four years. I'll be 42 when I get out, I'm sick of being broke and four more years of this just seems like a sacrafice I may not be willing to make. I'd like to do it in two. Am I crazy? I thought I'd get some opinions from guys who have been in the same situation or who might be making the same decisions. Thanks in advance

I went back to school later in life myself, although not quite as late as you I guess (I'm now 30). However, I've had a lot of the same concerns that you have, and I would definitely encourage you to just go for the Associate's if possible. I now have one semester left in the associate's program. I was willing to do the bachelor's program initially if necessary, but I'm very glad that I went with the associate's.

One thing to consider is that at many schools, if for whatever the reason you fail a semester (and failing is a grade less than 75 at my school), then you have to wait an entire year before you can retake the semester over. Even if you made straight A's in all your pre and co-req classes, as I did, nursing school is still a completely different game and you may or may not manage to still make those kind of grades. Especially if you have work and other responsibilities tying you down.

Plus you can still work on and complete your bachelor's after you get your associate's and start working. The benefits here are that you can do so while making money, and sometimes employers will help pay the cost of getting the bachelor's if you agree to continue working for them.

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions. Hope this helps!

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I'm working on my ASN (RN path) mostly so that I can get my career started as soon as possible. As soon as I am licensed and employed, I intend to enroll in the local university's RN-to-MSN program.

My whole rationale is that, the more I know, the better nurse I can be and the better I can care for my patients.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Go with whatever you can get started with. If you get the option of both I would say it depends on what you want to do..

Management or specialty --- BSN

otherwise ADN

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