accelerated bachelors vs. AA degree

Nurses Career Support

Published

Hi All,

So I already have a bachelors degree in another field, and am applying to all sorts of nursing programs. The one question that I still don't quite know the answer to is this-- What is the difference between getting a 2nd bachelors degree i nursing vs. getting an A.A. at a community college? I've asked a few nurses, and they told me that getting my AA at a community college is equivalent to someone with a nursing bachelors degree. Please help!

Thanks

they told me that getting my AA at a community college is equivalent to someone with a nursing bachelors degree.

A BSN is preferred by most nursing leaders and provides the best opportunities in today's job market. Some hospitals are now only hiring nurses with a BSN, or prefer a BSN over ADN. You need a BSN, if you want to have a future in management.

Do a search on the forum. We have plenty of threads about ADN vs. BSN.

Specializes in ICU.
Hi All,

So I already have a bachelors degree in another field, and am applying to all sorts of nursing programs. The one question that I still don't quite know the answer to is this-- What is the difference between getting a 2nd bachelors degree i nursing vs. getting an A.A. at a community college? I've asked a few nurses, and they told me that getting my AA at a community college is equivalent to someone with a nursing bachelors degree. Please help!

Thanks

Hi qween!

I did an accel BSN, and liked that approach. With an associates program, you normally have a good long wait until you can start the program (2.5-3 years at my local community college). After that, the associates degree program takes ~2.5 years. With the accel route, I spent 9 months doing prereqs, then 5 quarters for my Accel BSN. Much quicker.

Good luck!

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

There isn't a wait to get in an ADN program around here if your grades are good enough but in most cases it is just as quick to get your BSN which is prefferable. Definitely make sure you get a decent amount of clinical time though. I'm not sure if its the program or the quality of students but lately we've seen more than a couple 2nd degree students that graduated and didn't even know how to measure or give an injection. :( Good luck.

+ Add a Comment