Should I pursue an AA or an AS?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi everyone! I am currently enrolled in Miami Dade College to obtain an AA in Nursing. My original plan was to get my AA and transfer to a university to get my BSN. Now, I am wondering what would be a better option. I don't think you can sit for the NCLEX with an AA since the courses you take are not field specific. I'd have to wait till I get my BSN to sit for the NCLEX, right?

Should I go for the AS, sit for the NCLEX then pursue a BSN after I'm already an RN...or should I go directly for the BSN?

Any advice/words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.

Thank you :)

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I think you should speak with advisors from the programs that you're interested in. Each program is different. Depending on the school, the credits may or may not be credited towards your BSN. If you decide to go for an AS, there are many programs that will allow you to complete your BSN while working if you become a licensed RN.

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Specializes in ICU.

Are you talking about an AA in nursing? I have never heard of that. You can't get a general degree and sit for the NCLEX you have to graduate from an accredited RN program to sit for the NCLEX-RN. If you go for the BSN you can also sit for the NCLEX-RN. But again these are specific nursing programs. You have to have a certain amount of clinical hours to be able to sit for the NCLEX. A general degree will get you nothing as far as nursing goes.

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Yes, MDC offers an AA in Pre-Nursing that you can then transfer to a university to get your BSN. Meaning I'd have to wait to obtain the Bachelor's before sitting for the NCLEX. I am wondering if I should change my degree to an AS, which would allow me to sit for the NCLEX at the end of that program which would be about 2-3 years, then continue my education to a BSN, already working as an RN.

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Specializes in ICU.

Ok, I just looked at their site. They only offer a ASN or BSN in nursing. Those are your only 2 options.

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Specializes in ICU.

But that is prenursing. That is not nursing.

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Specializes in ICU.

You cannot sit for the NCLEX-RN with an AA in prenursing. Those are just the prereqs that have to be done before entering the program.

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Oh, I understand now. You're in pre-nursing, correct? It depends on what you would consider more beneficial to you and your current situation. If you would like to go ahead and get your Bachelor's over with, then, by all means, go ahead and complete your BSN. However, if you want to stabilize yourself more financially and spread out the costs of your education, it would probably be better to go the AS route. You will also want to check the job market in your area to see if employers hire RNs with only an AS.

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You cannot sit for the NCLEX-RN with an AA in prenursing. Those are just the prereqs that have to be done before entering the program.

I think what the OP is asking is whether or not she should complete the AA degree and transfer into a BSN program or complete her AS degree, become an RN, and then complete her BSN.

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I think I'm going to change my degree from an AA to an AS. Right now I have to finish the pre-requisites but I'm starting to feel like its better financially and time-wise to go straight for the nursing program after I finish a few pre-reqs, sit and (God willingly) pass the NCLEX, get a job as an RN then continue my education for the BSN.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

In order for you to sit for the NCLEX, you must have completed all requirements from a nursing program. If you want to get an ASN, you first need to look into getting into the nursing program at your community college. There are prerequisites and a certain GPA you must attain before applying. ASN programs can be very competitive and if you get into the program, graduate, and pass NCLEX, you can always go back to school and do a RN-to-BSN bridge program. They are usually 1 year in length.

If you are contemplating between pursuing the ASN vs BSN, do some research in your area regarding hiring. Are you open and able to relocate if you can't find a job in your area.

I would also advise you to speak to the school counselor to make sure you're on the right track.

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Specializes in ICU.

I am currently doing an ASN program. I will bridge over to my BSN later once I get a job. It honestly depends on how long you can go without a job. I figured I could live about 2.5 years comfortably before getting a job. This is why I am going this route. It also depends on what they are hiring in your area.

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