What plan to follow? Anything will help!

[mydreamjob26]

I hope you read this and understand where I am coming from. I really need some advice.

I have known I wanted to be a nurse since my Junior year in high school.

Now, I am a freshman at a community college.

I am wanting to get a bachelor's of science in nursing degree. I am currently on a degree plan called a "pre-BSN".

I won't graduate with a completed degree, it's just the first two years or so of a BSN that my community college can offer and then I am supposed to transfer to a university and take the last two years or so there and then graduate with a BSN.

When I signed up for this, it appealed to me because I thought it was the right way to get a BSN. I get the first two years really cheap because its a community college and I'm on a marching band scholarship. (This semester, I'm taking 14 hours for $664)

Now, I am having second thoughts all because of my band director. I know he isn't the nursing adviser but he sounds pretty sure that he knew what he was talking about. He made a general announcement to everyone doing any kind of a pre-bachelor degree plan that it's smarter to instead get an associate here, then go to a university and get a bachelors. He said in Texas, if you already have a degree, the university has to accept all of your credits and let you move on to a bachelors. If you just get on a pre bachelors degree plan and don't get a real degree before going to a university, then they don't have to accept the credits you have and can make you take more classes. He says it will save you time and money to get an associates then get a bachelors as opposed to taking two years here, transfer and take the last two years there.

I really feel like I have no help on making decisions like this. My nursing adviser has never really been that helpful to me. Just made me feel like I need to stop bothering her.

Should I continue on the pre-BSN then transfer to the university and finish with a BSN?

Should I change what I've been doing, and get my associate degree, get a job as a nurse, and go to school part time to get a BSN for more money? That way.. I will get paid more than min. wage as a college student.

Any input on this will help! I don't have many resources when it comes to college questions!!

[mrsboots87]

I would nt take the word if your band instructor as what e is saying is likely not right. The credits your transfer school will take will depend on course equivalency. If you have a university in mind, sit down with THEIR advisor an they can help you from an academic plan with course they take. If you get an AAS the university only has to accept your total GPA, not necessarily the individual courses. Whether you have a degree or no makes no difference. They want equivalent course that follow their plan of study. Also consider financial aid. Once you have an associates degree you will no longer qualify for aid at the associate degree level. So if you do need to take more courses for your BSN you will have to do it at the more expensive university or pay out of pocket at the community college. Also what if you don't get accepted to a university, but you do get accepted to a community college? Having an associate degree will not guarantee your acceptance to a BSN nursing school, but it can disqualify you from getting aid for a second associated degree.

Long story short, make an appointment with the advisor of the university you wish to attend and wrk with them. Not your band instructor.

[mrsboots87]

Also getting your associated degree will not get you RN lisencure. You have to be in an associate level nursing program, not a pre BSN program. So taking all your pre Reqs for a bachelors nursing program and getting an AAS does nothing to help you gain nursing employment.

[mydreamjob26]

Thank you!! This helps a lot. I now have plans to go to the university and talk with their adviser. I needed a second opinion.

[i♥words]

The university you plan to transfer to can give you all the information you need about transferring credits. Talk to them and stick with your plan.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

It all depends on if the community college is accredited or not. Some people go to colleges and get their associate's and none of the credits transfer. The school where you want to get your BSN is the place you need to talk to and ask about transferring credits. Like I know if I want my anatomy credits to transfer to a 4 year university at my school I had to take A&P I and II then take advanced human physiology. Otherwise I wouldn't get credit for A&P credits at a 4 year university. Many people don't know that and skip the advanced class because it is hard and either take chem or bio for an extra science credit. Plus I have to closely look at my math class I am taking over the summer to see which one will transfer to the BSN program. My math teacher was saying that for BSN nursing programs I need college algebra to transfer. Some people take finite math because it's acceptable for the ADN but won't transfer into a BSN program. I wouldn't listen to your Band instructor.