Accelerated without BA

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I'm looking for some outsiders opinions. My first question is, why do you need a BA in order to do an accelerated BSN program? I can understand age being a factor, nobody wants a 19 year old nurse, but I am 24 and would like to get done school. I have a 4.0 and am a very hard worker, a friend of mine graduated with a 3.7gpa for SPANISH! and is in the 1 year program starting this summer, All my grades are better then hers.

Here is my story as quick as I can make it.

I moved after highschool and went to a local community college. My grades where A's and B's. My father lost his job about a year after the move and I needed to come home. Non of my credits transfered to the college back home (money). I took a year off and started school again. I then applyed to a BSN program at a public university. I got a letter saying I was in the program and with my credits it would only take 2 more years. When I got here they said they made a mistake and though I'm perfect for the program they don't have the room till next year. So I took a minor in communications. They then told me they could accelerate me because of what a good student I am. When I went to accelerate I found out I was lied to yet again and it would still take me 2 years from that point. Now yes, I'll have a minor which will help me get into CRNA school but I would like what they promised me, and that is to be accelerated. Does anyone see a reason for why they shouldn't make an exception in my case? I'll be meeting with the dean to pleed my case.

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

I got accepted into an accelerated program without a BA.

I have a BS. :-P

Slightly more seriously, the reason you have to have a BA or BS from an accredited institution to get into an accelerated program is because those with a bachelors already have done the mess of Gen Ed courses required for a baccalaureate degree. Besides, even those with a bachelors have to take a bunch of prerequisite courses - which are usually the same as the prereqs for a "two-year" ADN or for transferring from general curriculum to a nursing major proper at a four-year institution.

That's the way it is. Suck it up, take the classes, get the degree.

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Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.

I'm in a program that doesn't require a bachelor's degree. Some people in my class have a degree, and some people don't. I don't and I'm in the top 10% of the class. I don't really understand why they're telling you one thing and then changing their minds. If this school requires a bachelor's, then maybe you should just look somewhere else because I think they're pretty strict about that. If they don't, then I don't see what the problem is. Ask the dean if there is anything you can do to be accepted as an accelerated student. If there isn't, then figure out a new plan. I know it's hard waiting, but you'll get there.

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I actually have everything done other then the NURS classes. It'll take me 2 years starting next fall or 1 year starting this summer. I just want to start this summer and be done. I'm smart, I have everything I need, I'm older, I just don't have a degree and thats only because of my situation.

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The reason they want you to have your BA or BS first is because you will have a certain number of credits done that you don't have to cram into that year or year-and-a-half program. You can just concentrate on your nursing courses. It would be almost impossible to do all your nursing plus your gen. ed. and/or science courses at the same time -- within that very short time frame, that is. Also, by having a degree already, you demonstrate to the school that you are able to see a goal through to completion. So they figure you're more likely to complete the ABSN.

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The reason they want you to have your BA or BS first is because you will have a certain number of credits done that you don't have to cram into that year or year-and-a-half program. You can just concentrate on your nursing courses. It would be almost impossible to do all your nursing plus your gen. ed. and/or science courses at the same time -- within that very short time frame, that is. Also, by having a degree already, you demonstrate to the school that you are able to see a goal through to completion. So they figure you're more likely to complete the ABSN.

But thats just the thing, I finished all my gen. ed. I have a 4.0 and I have been in school for 5 years now. I would be done had my credits transfered. I've never quit and I think that says something. I've proven myself ten fold over someone who gets ba in phil. or something.

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

From your story, part of the issue may be that you've never actually majored in anything.

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Our accelerated program allows students without already having a degree, so long as they have certain pre-reqs. I don't start until January though so I'm not sure how many students apply that way.

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