ABSN/ Second Degree Nursing

Why would you waste your time finishing this degree if you plan to go into nursing? Most second bacc students are people who are second career nursing students. If you already know you want to go into nursing, change majors and start working toward that instead (keep the Spanish- you'll need it!). It'll save you a lot of money, as there are more public schools available to you in that case. You'll need to pull up your GPA if at ALL possible regardless, because BSN programs, accelerated or not, are competitive. You might consider looking at ADN programs, even, as many, at least here in CA, run on a lottery system, so your GPA isn't AS vital. Then you can bridge to BSN soon after while working as an RN.

If you want to do a ABSN get that GPA as HIGH as possible. Most schools require a minimum of 3.0 GPA on first degree for the ABSN programs. Also may as well start knocking out the prereqs.

Thank you for the insight. I am completing the degree so that I have something to fall back on, a Bachelor's in Biology and a minor in Spanish... I only have a few months left of Junior year, then 2 semester senior year (Which i plan on time to get my GPA up anyways).

What exactly would the ADN route do for me?

Thank you! I already have the pre-reqs for most schools because I am a Biology major, thus have taken my fair share of Bio, Chem, Physics.. etc. I know my GPA is relatively low, but would the schools not look at the fact that I was Bio/Pre-med while looking into that? Plus the fact that my grades in the pre-reqs are high?

Do you know of any schools that would look at my picture as a whole more so than other schools?

Going the ADN route would get your your RN and save you money in the long run, as aBSN programs are very expensive, generally.

What would your backup plan be with the bachelor's in biology?

I need the BSN in order to do the nursing that I want to do (Army nursing).

If you need the BSN for Army nursing, definitely go for it, then. As for whether to finish your Biology degree, obviously that's personal and it sounds like you're set on that. There are good arguments either way on that one, but if you want Biology to fall back on if nursing doesn't work, then fine. Of course, is that because of nursing school being hard or because you're not 100% sure on nursing?

Regardless, I don't know much about the schools you're interested in, BUT your best bet is to work really hard to get your GPA up as much as you can. Some schools will definitely take into account that your pre-req class grades are better. I think the CNA experience will definitely be a plus!

Claire,

Thank you for the input! Yes, the bio degree is NOT for because I'm not 100%... I am totally set with nursing, but being a Junior in my Biology degree seems like too far to turn around, especially with how things work with Army ROTC.

Glad to hear the CNA work will be an application booster!

Thanks!

Be aware that the Army will likely require experience before you can commission. If you were to do your ADN, you can gain that experience while you do an RN-BSN program, which would be significantly less expensive.

Have you spoken with an Army nurse recruiter?