Getting an associates degree when you already have a Bachelors Degree in another fiel

[DawnMP3]

Can someone help me out with this question. I currently have a Bachelors in Business. I am going to go for an Associates for RN Program. The nursing program is exactly the same for a 2yr college that you would find in a 4 yr college correct? The only thing is in the 4 year college you take additional courses needed. For my situation to me it makes sense to go to the 2yr college for my RN degree. Can someone tell me is this a good idea or not should I be attending the nursing program at a 4 year college? I am confused about this. I would still be a RN with a 4 year degree since I have a Bachelors already wouldn't I?

[Streamline2010]

At least some of those masters degree programs that bridge a non-RN baccalaureate degree holder to masters in nursing have you completing the BS RN degree requirements along the way. Probably not all of them, but some do that.

[Amerae]

I'm someone looking into those entry level masters in nursing after completing a BA degree in Psychology, and yes every single program that is in California makes you take all of the prerequisite courses in order to even apply, so all of my prerequisites will be done for any ADN OR accelerated BSN once I'm ready to apply to those entry MSN programs. Therefore you can apply to ALL since they are literally all so competitive now! Another thing to point out is that while Mkjh mentioned that they are wary of those programs, it's not as if you get out working in a position as an Masters level nurse would! By no means would anyone hire anyone with an entry level MSN in an MSN position right out of graduate school, you have to work for usually at least 2 years if not 5 before landing one of those jobs...it's not any different than what everyone else has to do to work their way up, in a health care setting it's always experience that decides one person over another (and of course the bias of who knows who...unfortunately) but yeah so just to clear that up, it's not something to be wary about, one would still work as an RN for a while and build some experience under their belt in a specialty area, but since they did both their RN and MSN together, they wouldn't have to worry about going back again to school once it's time to move on up! And THAT's why I would pick it as my number one choice of a program if someone thinks they want that option later on.

[cdrain]

"I'm in a similar category, though with both a BA and MBA. I went the ADN route to get my RN with the thought that I would work as nurse for a while, then return for my MSN. As it turns out, I've found that it's next to impossible for ADN-RNs to get jobs in my part of the world. "

Where is your "part of the world?"

I also have a BA and an MBA, and am trying to determine if I can get an ADN, or whether I need to get a BSN...

Thanks!

[U2BCool]

this steams me. i had a ba and some graduate work before starting the adn program. i have tried to find a school that would let me finish my graduate degree in nursing. many of the state college rn to msn programs are discontinuing. although, i do see programs for those with ba/bs degrees in other fields. they can complete a few prereqs and 18 months of full-time study for a msn degree.

i had 18 years as an lpn and tons of statistics, public administration and disaster management education in college. i had someone from und nursing department get snippy with me and rudely asked me why i would even think my previous education should apply towards a bsn ( at least some credit could transfer).

i had to pay every cent of my education and a full-time rn program at a state school or private school was out of my reach financially. looking back i should of taken out loans and obtained my bsn first.

[redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN]

Wait a minute....they have a bachelor's in an unrelated field and can get an MSN straightaway? I sure hope that program requires a lot of credits. I also hope they award them a BSN before the MSN, because many states' legislation specifies that you need an ADN or BSN to even apply for licensure. For example, my old state's NA's are having the problem that they have an ADN and went to a bridge program into NA, and the legislation states "bachelor's degree," so they cannot get an NA license at this time.

[jdan88]

I'm in a similar situation. I have a BS in Psychology and Math (double major). After being out of school for a year, I decided to go into nursing. I am currently enrolled in an ADN program that's accelerated (18 months). This school offers an online BSN option after you become a RN that I'm considering. There are a few BSN schools in my area (central Arkansas), but this was SIGNIFICANTLY less expensive (I'm looking at about $11K in tuition versus $20K-30K for BSN). I'm really enjoying the program, and we get a lot of bedside experience. I'm going into my second semester in January. There is a college nearby that offers a bridge program for RN-MSN. I am debating on whether or not to get my BSN or to do the RN-MSN route since my ultimate goal is NP. In my neck of the woods though, ADNs get hired just as readily as BSNs with no pay difference. You may see a problem trying to get into management positions without a BSN, but aside from that no problem getting a job. Can't speak for other areas, but here there still seems to be quite the RN shortage, and new grads here aren't having much difficulty obtaining employment at either education level.