Published
Another thing you could do is make sure that your classes in your AA program align with the non-nursing courses of the BSN programs in your area. Finish your current degree, then apply to those programs and pretty much just take nursing courses.
BSN programs require a fair amount of science as well as some humanities, so it's a good idea to get those "out of the way."
Don't forget to consider your financial aid situation while making your decision.... generally you don't receive financial aid, with the exception of loans, for a 2nd degree at the same level.... It may be harder to find financial aid if your pursue your ADN after obtaining an AA degree.... But you shouldn't have any issues if going directly into a BSN program.... so unless you are 100% certain that you are going directly into a BSN program after completing your AA degree, it may not be worth it.
Really?? I did not know that. I thought FASFA will continue rolling as long as I don't hold a BSN. I will definitely check that and use it in my decision making. Thank you. I live in Tampa FL and there aren't many BSN programs unless I do the private school options. I do wor for a company who does tuition assistance so that helps a lot.
Don't forget to consider your financial aid situation while making your decision.... generally you don't receive financial aid, with the exception of loans, for a 2nd degree at the same level.... It may be harder to find financial aid if your pursue your ADN after obtaining an AA degree.... But you shouldn't have any issues if going directly into a BSN program.... so unless you are 100% certain that you are going directly into a BSN program after completing your AA degree, it may not be worth it.
I completed my AA degree and still receive financial aid grants for my ADN. I will graduate debt free. I have recently decided to go for the concurrent BSN program through my community college and will still receive my pell grant which will cover just about everything from what I have calculated. Many of these BSN programs are based on points. GPA and test scores are the bulk of the points and having an AA degree gives me an extra two points. This may not sound like a lot but when you get down to the nitty gritty that two points means you are accepted or denied. I would say finish the AA degree then go for nursing. This is what I am doing and it seems to be working well.
How old are you? I am 27! lol don't think that way.. think of the entire process as a process, don't think too hard about the destination. I am so wanting to be done with nursing school but I have found the more I rush it the more stressed I am the lower grades I get etc. "Time" in nursing school is different than time in other programs. The "2-year" ADN program can easily take 4-5 years with pre-reqs, waitlists, etc. Don't be discouraged, just keep chugging along and you will get there.
Verydetermined19
9 Posts
Hello,
I am attending a community college for my AA degree. I am enrolled currently in 2 classes and have 1 more left. I am undecided if I should finish the AA now or go ahead and apply for the RN programs here in Tampa FL.
The decision is hard for me to make because I know that becoming an RN is what's more important but then when I look at the benefit of going into an RN program with an AA and high GPA it also looks good and standout. Please feel to comment on what you think is best.... thank you all