by sierraCha

I have a bachelor's degree in biology, and I now want to enroll in a nursing program. I live in Sarasota Florida, so the only options I have found for an ASN are Manatee Community College (2 years after prereq's!), or Keiser, which is way to expensive. It looks like USF St. Pete only has a BSN program.

So, is it really valuable to get a BSN instead of an ASN since I already have a bachelor's degree in biology. Seems unnecessary.

Are there any other programs in this area, and do they all take 2 years after prereq's?

Thanks,
Jamie

Re: ASN or BSN at Community College

Because you already have degree you should be able to apply to a accelerated program. The only difference between getting your ASN or BSN is advancement opportunities at the end of the day you will still be an RN. So it depends on your future goals ...

do you want a masters?

Re: ASN or BSN at Community College

Yes, most Associate degree programs take three years. Two years for the nursing courses, one year for pre-reqs. So I say if you're going to do that you might as well go for your BSN, since you have a degree, you could probably get into an accelerated program which takes about 2.5/3 years.

Re: ASN or BSN at Community College

The problem is the accelerated program is an hour away from my home, with classes from 8-5 pm. I have two small children and would be gone before they go to school and never get home before 6-6:30 plus study time. That's just not reasonable for my life.

The community college in town Associate's Degree program is M-Th 8-3 with summer's off. I can still pick my kids up at school I'm going to have to take the "mommy track", I suppose.

Frustrating when I could have a BSN in a year and a half, VS. 2 years full time community college + then an online RN to BSN program for a year after graduating, while working full time. What a difference.

The schools really should be more accomodating for students with families. There is a limit to what is humanly possible. There just isn't any program I know of that has some kind of middle ground between the two.

A BSN in 2.5 years instead of 1.5?(after pre-reqs which I already have done) Does anyone know of a program like that?

I definitely want to go for a Master's eventually which is why I'm so worried about getting the BSN.

Thanks for your input,
Jamie

Re: ASN or BSN at Community College

It comes down to what you are willing to sacrifice.....Are finances a problem? that could be the deal breaker ....ASN are usually cheaper....