Advice: how to go from BSW to BSN

[Livbrave]

I will be graduating with my bsw next year and already know I want to turn around and get my bsn instead. I came into college prenursing but switched to social work early on with the idea of doing medical social work. I didn't have any drive, plan, or confidence in myself to stick with nursing and gave up on my dream of being a trauma nurse settling for "someting close though.".I was recently terribly sick in the hospital and spent some time in the ICU and it put things into perspective for me. I just don't know the cheapest and/or fastest way to get into nursing after I graduate and am determined as ever to go after my true passion.

[katyq82]

I'm in the midst of nursing school after having completed a Bachelor's in another field and I've met lots of others who are doing the same. The thing about nursing which is different from some other degree programs is that you generally have to start from scratch as far as the actual nursing program goes. Your general education courses from the BSW would transfer to fulfill the gen ed requirements at another college. If you entered school pre-nursing and it was only a few years ago, any science classes you took might count for your nursing pre-req's. You probably had to take some Psych classes for the BSW which are often a nursing pre-req. I would suggest searching online for "Accelerated BSN" or "second degree BSN" programs in your area. Just keep in mind that for the accelerated programs you often cannot work and keep up with the classes at the same time, but you will have your BSN more quickly. Another option and the route that I took... Because its been 13 years since I did my first Bachelor's and I now have kids, a mortgage, etc. etc. I chose to do an Associate's Degree program at my local community college. It still leads to the NCLEX and the same RN license as the BSN but is not as competitive in the job market post graduation. However, I know that ASN nurses do get jobs in my area and I can finish the BSN online after I get licensed. For me it made sense because I can still work and take care of my kids, plus it is SO much cheaper than the accelerated BSN programs in my area.

So those are two possible options you can look into. Since you are still working towards your first Bachelor's, I would do your research now and maybe you will have room in your spring schedule for a course that would count towards nursing pre-req's. My advice would be to move straight into nursing school pre-req's right after graduation if you know that is what you really want and you can possibly swing it. It takes time to get those done and to apply for the program. Any time you take off in between makes it harder to get back into school mode! Good luck to you. :)