Graduating High School with ASN

[KCW98]

Okay. I'm an incoming junior in high school who wants to be an RN and eventually become an NP. My school has a dual credit program with my local community college, and some students graduate senior year with an associates degree. I want to become an RN as quickly as possible, while still being efficient in the long run because we need the money. Would it be possible to graduate high school with my ASN? If so, could I take my exam and become an RN right out of high school? Also, I know many hospitals now "prefer BSN". Financially, it would be much more realistic for me to attend a community college or cheaper state school, rather than a university. If I become an RN, how big of a role does ASN vs BSN play in terms of employment and competency? Thanks! Any and all advice is welcome!!

[RNdynamic]

I imagine most ADN programs require you have a high school diploma or GED first.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

What you would be able to do while you are in high school is probably do the prereqs. You would have about a year to year and a half of prereqs to do. The nursing program itself is full time and requires 2 years. It is not possible to do that while in high school. I had a number of high school students in my psych and sociology classes this past semester and let me give you some advice from what I learned talking to them.

Remember you are still in high school. You are still responsible for all of your high school classes and doing well in them. Sometimes it is taking on too much doing high school and college classes. College is harder than high school. There is much work to be done in a college class and the professors don't care what goes on outside of their class. They just want you to complete your work in a timely manner. Also, your college grades are very important to get into the nursing program. One girl said I had no idea what I was thinking by adding a college class when I am trying to graduate high school. Her finals in high school were at the same time our finals were and she struggled. She ended up with a C in pysch 101. If she was planning on getting in the nursing program, a C would keep her from getting in. She is going to have to retake the class and it was a waste of her time. If you decide to take some college classes just remember to do well in them.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Well, to be fair it depends on the person too. I did half and half to maintain full-time status at high school and I graduated with all from a university. My professors didn't even know that I was in university till I told them.

[misstrinad]

I very highly doubt you can perform clinical rotations as a minor. And clinicals have to be done when the program dictates, which is often concurrently with other program courses.

You would be better off completing a general aa for transfer to a nursing program or taking the nursing prerequisites, which usually take a year or more. At my college there are a bunch of classes that are required for the nrsg program but not actually nrsg program courses so they can be taken before you start the program....such as gen psych, nutrition, intro to sociology etc. I had several gals in my graduating group that did their gen aa in high school and after graduation got into the nrsg program.

Best bet is to check out the college's you are interested in and make an appt to meet with someone there to discuss your options.

[misstrinad]

In my area in the Midwest you generally just need a 2yr degree to be a floor nurse, if you want to go into management or to be an np you need a bsn. If money is an issue get your 2yr degree (mine is called an associate in applied science) then later go back to get your bsn, lots of college's have programs for nurses looking to get their bsn.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I strongly do not recommend getting an associate degree just to get an associate degree since that will impact your financial aid negatively. If you decide to go for an associate degree of nursing, you may not be able to get financial aid. You may only be able to get financial aid for a bachelors. The financial aid rules changed in the past few years and every college class you take counts even if you were in high school. So bear that in mind. Even AP credit counts towards the totals.