Nursing Program Question

[BK21]

Hi, I want to get my BSN, and am currently working on my prereqs. As I understood it, you first must have an Associates Degree, which includes the prereqs, such as Anatomy, Micro, etc. and then you can apply for the Nursing program, which lasts two years and is your core nursing classes. Once that is completed, you get your BSN.

Whats throwing me off, is that I'm currently at Long Beach City College, and I noticed they have a Nursing program, but it is for an Associates in Nursing. It throws me off, because it still has the same prereqs (anatomy, micro, etc.) and then an additional two years of nursing classes.

My question, I guess, is what is the difference between the two of them? I thought you just had to have an associates of any kind, as long as it has the science prereqs, then you can apply for the nursing program, do the two years, and get your Nursing Bachelors. Why bother with an associates? Or is that just a program they offer if you are just starting fresh and want nothing but nursing credits that goes towards your nursing degree?

I don't want to keep talking, so I don't throw people off. I'll just interact if there's confusion on what I'm asking. Thanks in advance.

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

Many programs require you to take the prerequisite courses, such as A&P, college algebra, Stats, etc., before applying to the nursing program. Whether or not you have a previous degree is irrelevant if you don't have the necessary prereqs required for the nursing program you're applying to. Prereqs usually are 1-2 years of classes, and then the nursing classes, depending on whether you're doing an ADN or BSN program, can be 2-3 years.

[Cream and sugar LPN]

Thanks for the response. If I already have an Associates Degree, without the Anatomies, Micro's etc. can I just take those and then get into a Nursing program? It would only be another 2 years from there to get my BSN, right?

As for the first part of your question- keeping in mind that all science credits expire after 5 years, you probably have a handful of general education credits like algebra, psychology, sociology,english comp and Lit and an intro computers class, etc to get you started. If you took Bio recently you could probably use it to take A&P 1. Some classes have prereq's such as Chem and anatomy. This is why it sometimes takes about 2 years before you can apply to an ADN or BSN. It can seem misleading when you hear a program is 2-3 years but in reality they are not including all those general education requirements !

I do not know the list of prerequisites for entrance to a BSN program. I was on the ADN track I'm assuming it's pretty close to what classes are needed before you go into an ADN. BSN programs have more nursing theory and clinical so you would still be in it for a few years. Your most accurate answer will come from an advisor at your desired school:)

[panic36]

What you do is this...

See a counciler...

It's hard to give you any definite answer when we lack pretty much all the information needed to give you a proper assessment. However, if you've gotten an AA/AS then it would be safe to assume that your general education is completed and the only classes you will need to do is the science ones, Anat, Bio, Physio, Chem, and possibily upper level math, as at LBCC to get an AA you only need Math 130, where to get into a BSN program, you'd need to have Stat 1 completed, however this isn't needed for an ASN.

But remember nursing transfer requirements also vary depending on the school. Where an associates degree may allow multiple choices for instance, you can get your ASN with Communication class 10, 20, 30, 40, but if you want to transfer CSULB/USC may only allow for Comm 10 to be used for their program.

This is why its very important that you speak to a counciler as this is what they do. With us not knowing all the factors you could be required retaking classes as the ones you took aren't accepted for the nursing program of your choice.

[SeanPN777]

It's like that here too. Either get a generic associates in science (AA/AS) and then your BSN or get an ADN and then your BSN.

The best reason to get your ADN prior to your BSN is that it allows you to sit for the NCLEX, become a Registered Nurse and work in the field while working on your BSN. It should only add one to two semesters to your education plan to do so.

Other than that, it is usually quicker to get your BSN by getting a generic AA/AS since it usually is about 4 to 8 credit hours shorter than an ADN.

I personally switched from the AA/AS major to ADN though so I could get my RN quicker and work in the field while getting my BSN.

So either quicker to RN (ADN) or quicker to BSN (AA/AS). Good luck!

[BK21]

What you do is this...

See a counciler...

It's hard to give you any definite answer when we lack pretty much all the information needed to give you a proper assessment. However, if you've gotten an AA/AS then it would be safe to assume that your general education is completed and the only classes you will need to do is the science ones, Anat, Bio, Physio, Chem, and possibily upper level math, as at LBCC to get an AA you only need Math 130, where to get into a BSN program, you'd need to have Stat 1 completed, however this isn't needed for an ASN.

But remember nursing transfer requirements also vary depending on the school. Where an associates degree may allow multiple choices for instance, you can get your ASN with Communication class 10, 20, 30, 40, but if you want to transfer CSULB/USC may only allow for Comm 10 to be used for their program.

This is why its very important that you speak to a counciler as this is what they do. With us not knowing all the factors you could be required retaking classes as the ones you took aren't accepted for the nursing program of your choice.

I plan to talk to a counselor, but at LBCC, they don't accept transcripts until you've taken a certain amount of credits at their school, which I haven't done yet. Thats why I was trying to get some info ahead of time here.