Accelerated BSN? Associates? HELP!

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I am going crazy over trying to figure out my career path! :banghead:

I am currently a senior at Villanova University graduating in May 2009 with a degree in Management/Business Administration. My true passion is to become a nurse. I would ideally like to enter an accelerated BSN program directly following graduation. I've taken as many prerequisites as my time/course load has allowed, which does not include Chemistry. It seems to me that every program I've looked at requires completion of Chemistry prior to to admission. My dilemma is that I do not want to take a year or semester off, but rather go directly back to school. I am looking for suggestions on an accelerated program that either does not require chemistry, or would allow me to take the course along with the program.

My other option would be to obtain an associates degree, which would not require many prerequisites and I could easily obtain. Would it be hard to get a job with an ASN and my current bachelors degree? Or are hospitals really seeking those with a BSN? :banghead:

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Specializes in Pediatric ED.

I don't know of any ABSN programs that don't require chem. I know you don't want to take a year off but you have to consider that a lot of ASN programs put you on a waitlist anyway, and will take generally take 2 years to complete (after prereqs). I wound up out of school for a year while trying to get into ASN programs. I finally got into a ABSN program in May and will graduate sooner from it than if I got into an ASN program.

So, while staying out of school might seem like it will take longer, it might be the shorter route.

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I don't know how you feel about relocation, but I am in an accelerated BSN program in Charleston, SC. I am at the Medical University of Sc. Our program is 16 months (4 semesters year round). We admit in both the spring and the fall.. I think the application deadline for spring is September 15. We used to require the GRE for acceptance but starting for the class of spring 09 it's no longer required. The prereqs are: Micro, Anat/ Physio (whether that's one Anatomy and One physiology class or Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2-- you just have to have 8 hours human anatomy and physio.. and then 4 hours of a science elective (astronomy, physics, general bio.. whatever) The only two other classes that might not be fufilled in your current degree would be, Psych: Human growth and development and ANY statistics course. The website is www.musc.edu/nursing

I used to work in admissions before I started the program, so if you are interested, I would be happy to help you. It's a quick program so that's definately a plus.

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Specializes in None.

Maybe you could try and take Chemistry over the summer and then enter a ABSN in the fall?

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the acceptance level of adn and bsn is pretty much the same except for a managerial positional

check out your options, you will find the best answer

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I'm applying to an accelerated BSN that does not require Chemistry (even though I had it in my first undergrad degree-ugh!), but I'm not sure if you're looking all over or just in your area. Are you available to relocate, or are you looking in a particular state?

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Specializes in Emergency.

Hi!! I was in your exact position a few years ago. I ended up going for the Associate's for a few different reasons, the biggest being the cost of the ABSN tuition and that many of the ABSN programs in my area had not-so-stellar NCLEX pass rates. What I wanted to let you know is that in terms of getting hired, in a lot of areas having the ASN or the BSN might not make much difference in getting hired.. I graduated in May and it was not too difficult to get a job. However, in some areas, I know like New York city, their job ads all said "BSN preferred". As I said though, I had no problem finding a job I really wanted, and most hospitals will give you some kind of reimbursement to go back to school for the BSN/ MSN, which to me sounded much better that putting out 60- 80 grand of my own. Just as an aside though, don't underestimate the ASN programs- I also thought it could be "easily obtained", especially given that I had a Bachelors from a really strong university- the ASN programs are difficult to get into and even more difficult to graduate from. Good luck.. you will be great!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

A friend of mine just started at UPenn's nursing program. They allowed her to take statistics concurrently. Drexel isn't flexible. I forget if you need 1 or 2 semesters of Chem, but both Jefferson and Drexel have spring semesters, so you could get chem out of the way this fall (if it's one course). I'm starting Drexel in Spring '09.

Also, you could take a summer course.

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

Go for the highest degree possible. Without experience, its impossible for you to know if you'll want to go into a specialty or not and at what level you'll want to specialize. You don't want to have to take "make-up" courses if you go on to a master's. There are lots of jobs that require BSN (even outside of management!) and why shortchange yourself now?

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