An RN with a Bachelors in Biology instead of BSN?

AwayWeGo · Mar 18, 2011

Depends on the school. In a BSN curiculum, you have to finish all the pre reqs for the Bachelor of Science as well as Nursing. Research can be a valuable thing to learn. A BSN is a good thing and so is an ADN. Depends on what your future goals are. Just sayin'... .

This is true..I had all the prereqs having been a Psych major and a minor in Biology so it was a fairly easy transition for me. There are so many avenues you can take...good luck!

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2011

You obviously want to go to medical school so major in biology if you want. The classes are more interesting, in my opinion. However, if you choose nursing it isn't the same, but you could easily qualify for an RN to master's program.

acceleratedbsn · Mar 18, 2011

Anyone please help me. I am lookin for accelerated bsn program in philly. I found one at Drexel with just 11 months. :uhoh3:

OldNurseEducator · Mar 18, 2011

Anyone please help me. I am lookin for accelerated bsn program in philly. I found one at drexel with just 11 months.

Start a new thread...just sayin'. :nurse:

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2011

I've actually seen job openings state that a BSN is preferred but an RN with a B.S. in another field will be considered. Basically, saying you will not get the job without the B.S... but they'd prefer the BSN.

I think that a BS in another medical/biological field and an ADN will be just as valuable for what you are looking for. You're not interested in nurse education or management, just bedside nursing. I personally don't think BSN is going to be that more advantageous than an ADN with a B.S. in another field. Most ADNs do just fine without a BS in anything.

I say go with your plan as it will be more versatile if you decide nursing isn't for you.

keekeedt · Mar 18, 2011

My advice would be to go for the BSN. You will have open electives (able to take classes you want) and you could just take some of the med school required classes as electives for your bsn. You don't have to have a biology degree to get in to med school anyway:)

BrookeeLou_RN · Mar 18, 2011

BSN is what they want..some times a BS in related field will be ok.. BSN teaches research and community nursing. Some leadership but if you become a nurse and work 6 months you will find yourself being a leader of one sort or another.. Just the nature of the job. If you want to be nurse get ADN and work and see how it feels. Do bridge RN-BSN or MSN if you want more. If you want med school then go for it.

Check places near you as to whether they require BSN to get into nursing. Canada requires that but is not the general US.. Depends on where you live..Investigate before you spend time and money.

Skylarslaughter · Mar 18, 2011

If you really want to go to medical school, skip the time it takes to get a nursing degree, and go right into biology and medicine. Why wait???

Because, well to make a complicated description short, I'm probably going to be living with my mom ATLEAST until I am 25 lol, and I am compelled to start bringing in money for my family soon...going straight for medical school would take tons of money that my family cannot give me, not to mention tons of devotion and it can take 1o years just to start actually working as a doctor...not to mention I think intern and resident doctors make less than nurses...If I'm not wrong please correct me lol I do a lot of research but still not sure. Besides I love the career of nursing and the job role seems so much more exciting to me...but I love the scholarly part of being a doctor...I love the subjects studied in medical school...parts of the body how the body works...all that stuff, but the amount of time and devotion of your life [and the student loans] you have to put into it...I don't know if I can do that! :/

Guest27531 · Mar 18, 2011

I am 17 and starting my nursing prequisites this summer for my ADN program. I read nad hear alot about BSNs taking over and how hospitals are starting to hire them more....WHETHER THIS IS TRUE OR NOT, I want to get my bachelors degree...but not in Nursing...I understand that ADN gives you all the knowledge you need to start training for bedside nursing and I have no interest in a management position, just travel nursing. I want to go for A bachelors in Biology so that I have have that open door option to go to medical school if I end up wanting to.
I absoluetly love biological science so much and want a bachelors in Anatomy Biology.
If what they say about BSNs is true and that hospitals are starting to only hire nurses with a bachelors degree...does it matter that your bachelors degree is not in nursing?

I recommend you go to the "Travel Nursing" specialty section and read some of the posts there to get a feel for the specialty. From what you describe of your interests and goals it DEFINITELY does not sound right for you. For starters, travel nurses must already have been working in a specialty because there is little orientation to the job you will be asked to do. You will have orientation for the hospital but not for the job. For the most part, once they show you where things are kept, you will be expected to perform on your own. To get to the point where you can be a travel nurse will take many years so it will be too late to go to medical school at that point.

You indicated that you aren't really interested in a management position but there is alot of management required in bedside nursing. You must manage your patient's care, you must manage your caseload, you must coordinate and collaborate with other departments to get things done. It really sounds like you should stick with your biology (and chemistry) and head for medical school, if you have what it takes. I also recommend looking into other options in case medical school doesn't work out (it is highly competitive and very expensive) because, honestly, it doesn't sound like nursing is in your blood...

Skylarslaughter · Mar 18, 2011

honestly, it doesn't sound like nursing is in your blood...
That was just a little rude...I know I'd be good at nursing and have done enough research on travel nursing to know that you need to gain experience in the hospital field, obviously I have done a lot of research on the career of nursing and want some advice since I love the academic side of studying parts of the body like in medical school, I don't appreciate someone telling me I'm not cut out for nursing through a cyber networking system based on the mere fact that I simply stated I am not interested in a MANAGEMENT POSITION because I'd love more patient interaction...I never said I didn't have leadership qualities or that I though nurses weren't taking on natural leadership, I stated that I wasn't interested in becoming a MANAGER. So please don't tell me I am not cut out for nursing through the internet, the fact that I am inquiring for more knowledge from experienced individuals does not give very much insight into whether or not I would be a good nurse...with all do respect, have a nice day.

Moogie · Mar 18, 2011

I understand that it is not equal to a BSN. But what I also understand is that the BSN education curriculum is focused on leadership roles in healthcare...which I have no career interest for. I assume thtat as far as hiring bedside nurses, the BSN preference would be based on the fact that they have more education....
Continuing for a BSN doesn't really prepare you anymore for bedside nursing than an ADN would, it only prepares you for leadership roles. It's the higher education and focus that narrows you down from other job applicants right? Please correct me if I am wrong.
I have no interest in any positions of 'higher power' I just love the job of nursing and I love subjects like Biology.

A BSN does NOT focus solely on leadership roles in health care. While there are typically more courses in leadership in a BSN program as opposed to an ADN, a BSN is more comprehensive in teaching nursing theory and research as well as community health. In most states, a BSN is required to become a public health nurse. You can't do that with an ADN and a non-nursing bachelor's.

Look at the hiring trends. In numerous other threads, it's been pointed out that BSNs are preferred over ADNs in many hospitals. Not all hospitals and not all areas. But it's happening in some of the major metro areas on the East Coast, in California, and will likely spread to other parts of the country. For someone who is starting out in college, the best choice would be to do an entry-level BSN. You can still work bedside as a BSN. You don't HAVE to get out of direct patient care---but a BSN gives you far more options than would an ADN.

If you really aren't sure if you want to do nursing or medicine (and keep in mind, they are two very different disciplines!) my best advice would be that you follow your heart and get your bachelor's degree in biology. When you're in your senior year, apply to med schools and to accelerated BSN programs or a direct-entry MSN program. These are options for persons who already have bachelor's degrees in previous fields. The programs are rigorous and while some DEMSN programs prepare one to become an advanced practice nurse, others prepare one to be a Clinical Nurse Leader---working at the bedside. Most grads of CNL programs end up working bedside for some time before they move into leadership positions.

Going an ABSN or DEMSN is going to add a good 2-3 years to your college education. On the other hand, an ADN program will take 2-3 years to complete as well. Why go to an ADN program when you can get a higher degree in about the same amount of time? The only good reason is because one can't afford it, but that's another day, another discussion.

When I started out as an ADN back in the early '80s, some ADNs and diploma grads were still being promoted at my hospital but the push was to get a BSN in order to be eligible for promotion. Now, thirty years later, it seems that a MSN is necessary in many places, including my old hospital, to get promoted.

Hope this helps! I wish you the best in your decision, whatever you decide to do. Just make sure you jump in with your eyes open.

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Mar 18, 2011

OP have you considered advanced practice RN? You could get your ADN and do a bridge program for either your BSN or even MSN and then go on to become an NP?