Last semester of Pre-reqs- HELP!!

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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  1. I have a BA already. SHOULD I APPLY TO ADN- 6 classes left, ABSN, or Grad entry

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      acclerated- Associates in Nursing- 3 semesters
    • 1
      Acclerated BSN- 12 months
    • 0
      Graduate Entry- Generalist Masters Nursing- 15 months

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I am 35 with a BA in Sociology and well, I decided for a career change. The only problem is that I need help on what the best option is as far as career path. There are ADNs and BSNs and Graduate Entry degrees. I know I want to be a nurse. I know I want to go into psychiatric or geriatric nursing. I know that I also want to start a family by 2020. So, if anyone can give me clean insight on my best option I would appreciate it.

Another thing. I have considered possibly doing the Graduate Entry and that is a 15 month program and then I would have a Masters and thinking down the road if I want to specialize then I at least have some schooling under my belt.

Acclerated BSN- 12 month program. Is it too fast, will I gain experinece, or do all this book work with the lack of hands on.

ADN, ASN- I need 6 classes to graduate. WHooohooo! RIGHT? and then I notice most hospitals require a BSN, which is sometime tuition reimbursement and online. BUT WILL I BE ABLE TO FIND A JOB? AND WILL MY BA MATTER WITH AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE?

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I am 34, have a BS, and am doing an ADN. The most frustrating part for me is that every single nursing program (ADN, BSN) has different pre-requisite requirements. I wound up making a spreadsheet of over 10 ADN and BSN programs in my area and ranked them from shortest to longest time frame for completion. I chose an ADN that is an hour away. I was able to complete my pre-reqs in 8-weeks and make their application deadline for the fall. Start to finish, I will be in the workforce faster than doing an accelerated program. If you have the time/money for the accelerated, it's a great option. It wasn't right for me. I will be enrolled in a RN to BSN program immediately and am already working on any pre-reqs I need for that. (My previous degree luckily covers most of them.)

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I'd vote ADN or the ABSN depending on the cost. Some ABSNs are inexpensive, and I think those can be worth it. But if it's a large price, I'd stick with the ADN program. Hospitals in your city may hire nurses with ADNs. They may just require you get your bsn within two years. That depends on if your area is over saturated or not. You can always ask around.

And the absn programs should still have a set number of clinicals if they have been approved by the board of nursing. You aren't able to even get your license without a certain number of hours spent in clinicals

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Thanks ladies! I appreciate the input.

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Hey profstudent2018,

It is never too late to join the nursing field or any field in life for that matter. Congrats on taking a step towards a career change. To answer your question, I would highly suggest you apply to an accelerated BSN program. The ADN route is fine too, although hospitals generally have the issue with only hiring people with only BSNs. So, an accelerated BSN is the way to go. Don't worry about not learning enough, or not being prepared. There are tons of people that have gone through this path and are excellent nurses. Best of luck! I wish you the best! - Mike

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

I would say do the ABSN over 12 months! You will work your tale off, but you will get out with a BSN, which as you stated most hospitals want. The ASN will take you 2 years to do and you will still need to go back for your RN-BSN.

The only thing I would also suggest is you do the math for how much money in loans you would need to take out for the the ABSN, mainly because they can be very pricey and you said you want to have a family in a few years.

Annie

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