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Discussion

ADN - RN vs. Accelerated BSN

Good afternoon everyone I am new here and its so nice to find a community where I can ask knowledgeable nurses first hand some important questions that I have.

I have a bachelors degree in Psychology and after I was almost done with my degree I realized that I really am into nursing and helping people in that sense. I forced myself to try and use my degree because I didn't want to feel like my degree in Psychology was a waste but there are just no opportunities in that field unless you have your doctorate degree and it just wasn't where my heard is set. So I am really considering pursuing my other passion of nursing.

My main question is for a working individual who will be working full time would you recommend an associates in Nursing at a community college and then Bridging to an RN-BSN program later on or just go straight to an accelerated BSN program? I feel its impossible to do the accelerated program while working full time (going to part time isn't an option).

Also, my next question is. If I become a nurse do you think my previous degree will be a waste? I can't help but feel guilty about that. Would the skills in that degree be valuable?

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    I had a BS in Biology and did the ADN to RN-BSN so I could work. If I could have done the ABSN, I would have, it's less school, but I needed a pre-req and couldn't get it in on time, so I opted for the the other route. I am happy with what I did. A lot of the BSN courses have a lot more meaning now that I have worked for a little while that if I had had no experience. I was lucky enough to find a job as a new grad ADN. I don't know what the situation is where you live.

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    I feel like there is so much to learn in nursing that any accelerated program is going to make it hard to absorb and practice what you need to know. I did ADN RN, and now I'm in a RN-BSN program. I was told that I should have just gone for a straight BSN program, but like you, I needed to work, and the way I did nursing school allowed me to do that.

    Even though you won't be directly using your psychology degree, you have learned a lot about communicating with people that most of us don't get to experience until well after nursing school is over. If you have any interest at all in mental health nursing, your degree could be especially useful.

    Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

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    I think it also depends on cost. Many accelerated BSN programs are very costly and with having a previous Bachelor's, you may already have student loan debt. You are right, it is nearly impossible to work while in an accelerated program.

    Most hospitals are showing a preference for BSN, but I do not think that rules out ASN. Research your options. There are some community colleges offering dual enrollment in BSN programs, which allows students to finish their BSN fairly quickly (1 year) after their ASN.

    My advice is always to do what is financially reasonable (assuming we are talking about accredited, non-for-profit, nursing programs).

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