I have a BA and an MPS, fastest way to RN?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello! Thanks for reading. I am about to graduate with a Masters in Public Health Preparedness and my BA is in Social Science. I am also in the military in a non-medical job. When I get out of the military I don't want to have to go through a long period of extra training before I can apply for jobs in the Public/Global Health field. What I am looking for is the fastest way to be an RN. I have looked at accelerated BSN programs and I am aware of the ones that would work for me but I was wondering if there are any fast ASN programs that are even shorter. I really just need the RN certification to get my foot in the door and start working, then I plan on finishing a BSN once I have an income. I would also consider a lesser nursing qualification. Currently, I can only take online classes because I am in the middle of nowhere. I am however, volunteering at a hospital for experience and doing health care abroad this summer.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Check with the ADN programs in your area. Our local community college has an accelerated ASN for 2nd degree students that is 16 months. Very intense, no breaks at all (even between semesters!)

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

aBSN would probably still be your best bet. ADN is usually two years, and LVN isn't as widely employable. Also, if you were to work as a public health nurse, you'd need at least a BSN.

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I have been exploring options like this as well and what everyone is telling me is to do the BSN. ADN's are being pushed out by those with more extensive academic credentials, so even if you went through an ADN program, it's not a guarantee to find work. I've also looked at direct-entry MSN programs since I have a BA in Psych, but have been similarly told that these graduates do have more difficulty finding work. A BSN is the new baseline for nursing, and I don't think either of us is going to get very far without it unfortunately. The app deadlines here in Texas come very early, and I would imagine they do elsewhere so your best bet is to get your pre-reqs while you're in the military (if you're allowed? I think you probably are? sorry, don't know much about that) so that you can go straight from the military to an aBSN program without wasting anytime. In the grand scheme of things, what's 16 months after all?

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Thank you for responding. The aBSN programs I am looking at are about 12 months, so I think that would be a better bet, but thank you because I didn't even know about ADNs.

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Thank you, I have found aBSN programs that are a year long so I am fairly certain I will apply to those. I really appreciate your response!

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Thank you so much for answering. It looks like we have both looked at the same things. I have also considered an entry level MSN and wondered if employers would be turned off by that because they may feel pressured to pay someone more who has minimal employment experience in nursing. I think I will do the BSN and just try to work a little while before hand. I am just so freaked out by not working while going to school. I have never dont that and these aBSN programs really don't allow you any free time to work.

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Sorry for the three responses, they were for each of you. Just learning this site! oops

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Thank you for responding. The aBSN programs I am looking at are about 12 months, so I think that would be a better bet, but thank you because I didn't even know about ADNs.

You aren't going to get shorter than 12 months.....even 12 months is intense

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