Any ACTUAL Second Degree BSN/RN's?

cenote · Mar 30, 2007

I have a bachelor's and went about 1/4 through an MBA before deciding that I had the career that I wanted at the time . . . Real Estate. Many years later, I determined that I wanted to get my RN.

I compared the ADN with the BSN and went the ADN route for several reasons. First of all, after doing some research I discovered that the BSN would take one year longer. Second, the courses that would add this one year were, for the most part, NOT applicable to nursing and included: Art Appreciation, Computer 101, and some other non discript courses that seemed purposely added to make the student spend more time and money getting that degree). The only two courses really applicable to nursing were Chemistry and Statistics. I had taken these courses many years previous but they were "too old". Further, I found that with my bachelor's and an ADN, I was still eligible, in most arenas, for supervisory and management roles AND for entrance into most programs for a Master's Degree in Nursing.

To finance my chosen field, (it took me 2 years and 9 months to obtain my ADN even with a bachelor's), I took out the max allowed in student loans from SallieMae, worked as a nanny for a friend and as a CNA/Nurse Tech during school, all summers and holidays.

The hospitals in this area do sponsor nurses who take jobs as CNAs and Nurse Techs in their facility, giving them stipends per month over and above salary to help pay for their degrees/living expenses. In exchange, the nursing student commits to a certain term of service, post graduation.

AND YES, ONE DOES HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT SECOND DEGREE. Why would they not? This statement confuses me.

I graduated with honors but must say that the courses were the most challenging I have encountered in all my educational endeavors.

But good luck. It's a tough profession and one that is much of the time "thankless".

And for your info: I am in my 50s and have been a nurse for nearly 2 years. Three months following graduation, I lost nearly everything in Katrina. I am now forging ahead with my career in travel nursing.

luvmy3kids · Mar 30, 2007

I have a bachelor's and went about 1/4 through an MBA before deciding that I had the career that I wanted at the time . . . Real Estate. Many years later, I determined that I wanted to get my RN.
I compared the ADN with the BSN and went the ADN route for several reasons. First of all, after doing some research I discovered that the BSN would take one year longer. Second, the courses that would add this one year were, for the most part, NOT applicable to nursing and included: Art Appreciation, Computer 101, and some other non discript courses that seemed purposely added to make the student spend more time and money getting that degree). The only two courses really applicable to nursing were Chemistry and Statistics. I had taken these courses many years previous but they were "too old". Further, I found that with my bachelor's and an ADN, I was still eligible, in most arenas, for supervisory and management roles AND for entrance into most programs for a Master's Degree in Nursing.
I am glad you posted this. I've been on the fence about getting my ADN or just getting the BSN since I already have a BS. The ADN is so much more attainable for me.... the cost is less, the time is less, the school is closer and I just feel more comfortable going to a CC at the age of 34 than to the U here in MN where most kids are much younger than I am...
I started worrying the other day when I got onto the hospital's website that I would ultimately like to work at... almost every RN position states... BSN required or BSN preferred... It makes me so mad with the nursing shortage and the 100+ positions open that this is stated in almost every job posting. An ADN should be the "requirement or the preferred".... IMO
I'm just hoping that they will consider the fact that I have a BS in another area and my ADN will get me the RN position I want so badly (the BS will just be that extra ummpphh I might need) Does that make sense???

cenote · Mar 30, 2007

I would contact the hospitals located in the area where you want to work and ask if a BA and a ADN will get you the position you desire. In my case, I did ask and found out that my educational background with an ADN from Charity School of Nursing in N.O. (which is a highly regarded nursing school) was all I needed to do anything in nursing. Good Luck.

buddhak0n · Mar 31, 2007

I'm not lacking compassion for those that are sick or injured.

I'm questioning more the "necessity" of certain educational requirements as barriers to entry into the field.

The two are quite distinct. Sorry you felt it was disrespectful but seriously from strictly an "educational" requirement standpoint.. some of the reactions are laughable.

I'm not saying you shouldn't have to receive training to become a RN.

I'm saying that some of the "classroom" training, if you have prior experience in those subject areas, should have an alternative method for receiving credit because after all any of your true patient care skills are MOST likely to be developed during your time with patients....

Not to say that there aren't certain BASICS you should possess before being allowed in... there are but I'm sorry somebody telling me I have to retake a Chemistry 101 course when I could pass any final administered by any Chem Prof in any undergrad college in this state including Princeton with a two to three hour review is downright laughable.

Sorry but the two are completely unrelated... how someone treats their patients and their intellectual prowess have nothing to do with one another..

Sorry there's nothing wrong with someone thinking that somebody telling you to retake your basic science courses in order to get a degree in another field does not smell like a thorough education designed to ensure the highest quality patient care..

It smells like another reason to rechurn more credit fees into the local school which is EXACTLY what it is....

I stayed at my old job for the past 4 years before making this type of move because they tried to tell me I had to do the same thing and ,

Excuse me I wasn't willing to give up a given 200 + k , for a oh let's send you back to school where you're broke so you can retake the same stuff you memorized at 16...

And I'm most definitely not considering entering the profession for fiscal or monetary reasons... I don't need the money and I don't need the heartaches or stress...

I'm sorry if I flamed a bit too much and came off way off base which it was because at the time..

I was laughing at what someone at the local Community college had told me;

Sorry it spilled over ... I think I've got a way to get this done without having to do it "THAT" way exactly so I'm all better now..

Please excuse my mild psychosis whilst I figured out a way to get the "papers" that will let me get on with what I'd like to do.

Yes it was disrespectful in some ways, but telling me that I have to retake certain basic chem and biology courses is ludicrous.

buddhak0n · Mar 31, 2007

I have a bachelor's and went about 1/4 through an MBA before deciding that I had the career that I wanted at the time . . . Real Estate. Many years later, I determined that I wanted to get my RN.
I compared the ADN with the BSN and went the ADN route for several reasons. First of all, after doing some research I discovered that the BSN would take one year longer. Second, the courses that would add this one year were, for the most part, NOT applicable to nursing and included: Art Appreciation, Computer 101, and some other non discript courses that seemed purposely added to make the student spend more time and money getting that degree). The only two courses really applicable to nursing were Chemistry and Statistics. I had taken these courses many years previous but they were "too old". Further, I found that with my bachelor's and an ADN, I was still eligible, in most arenas, for supervisory and management roles AND for entrance into most programs for a Master's Degree in Nursing.
I am glad you posted this. I've been on the fence about getting my ADN or just getting the BSN since I already have a BS. The ADN is so much more attainable for me.... the cost is less, the time is less, the school is closer and I just feel more comfortable going to a CC at the age of 34 than to the U here in MN where most kids are much younger than I am...
I started worrying the other day when I got onto the hospital's website that I would ultimately like to work at... almost every RN position states... BSN required or BSN preferred... It makes me so mad with the nursing shortage and the 100+ positions open that this is stated in almost every job posting. An ADN should be the "requirement or the preferred".... IMO
I'm just hoping that they will consider the fact that I have a BS in another area and my ADN will get me the RN position I want so badly (the BS will just be that extra ummpphh I might need) Does that make sense???
See that's what I COMPLETELY Do not get...... How can any course be TOO OLD? They should have to under federal law give you the opportunity to test your proficiency in any subject area before uniformly declaring a prerequisite as "too old" ...
Under the current rules a Molecular Biologist who worked for Wyeth for the past 20 years would have a hard time proving that he passed Anatomy and Phys... It's ludicrous.

buddhak0n · Mar 31, 2007

I say this with 100% certainty, there is not a true "nursing" shortage... if there were why would there be "Per Diem" nurses and Nurse managers and "agency" nurses.. If there truly were not enough nurses to care for a community or any private hospital's patient necessities, why wouldn't all these people be fully employed? Sorry it's the business person in me that sets off this glowing Neon sign ..

There is however a burgeoning Nurse "reeducation" business ... LOL..

Hey maybe it's me but my mama and papa told me a long time ago, when you see a Horse you don't call it a Pig because you think it's cute...

It's still a Horse lol. And as far as the overwhelming compassion part, I realize that much of this comes from being terribly overworked but there's a group out there and we all know they exist who are anything BUT ... .

I think I should become a Brain Surgeon and then try to operate on my own brain for even considering doing something like this... LOL .. sorry I had to throw that in there for the person you wanted to tell me they were a Navy Captain who thought I was intellectually too big for my britches..

Which I am, but everybody has their faults....

Excuse me, I'm really good at taking tests... it's got nothing to do with patient care but I could test out of all kinds of things and that would cut down on some of this and I MOST Certainly am not retaking my basic core Pre Req's.. And I most certainly would consider about 70% of the course work to be remedial reading... sorry that's the truth.

Never in a million years am I retaking basic Chem or anything of that Ilk... lol .

catlover13 · Mar 31, 2007

I graduated with a BS in Physics in 1985.

I had to re-take Psychology 101 and English 101 before entering my nursing program.

Was it silly? Yes, in some ways. However, I DID learn new things in each class. I don't see any opportunity for learning as a waste.

While re-taking these classes, I had a different mind set also. I thought about Psychology in regards to nursing, and English in terms of charting and effective communication.

Even if you have a solid background in ANY advanced degree, nursing is a totally different ball game. I would see value in having to re-take classes, as your emphasis is now different. I will have to re-take more classes as I continue on for my RN, and that's OK, I'll learn something new.

It was more problematic to find a nursing program that did NOT look at my 20+ year old GPA as part of their competitive entrance process :-)

I pursued my LPN, and am planning on bridging to RN....but this is definitely a 2nd degree for me.

abbylee1211 · Mar 31, 2007

Excuse me, I'm really good at taking tests... it's got nothing to do with patient care but I could test out of all kinds of things and that would cut down on some of this and I MOST Certainly am not retaking my basic core Pre Req's.. And I most certainly would consider about 70% of the course work to be remedial reading... sorry that's the truth.
Never in a million years am I retaking basic Chem or anything of that Ilk... lol .

won't comment on anything except... if you're so interested in what others' 1st careers were... read more carefully. I was ARMY, not NAVY. and no, it's not all the same. :angryfire

Altra, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2007

I say this with 100% certainty, there is not a true "nursing" shortage... if there were why would there be "Per Diem" nurses and Nurse managers and "agency" nurses.. If there truly were not enough nurses to care for a community or any private hospital's patient necessities, why wouldn't all these people be fully employed? Sorry it's the business person in me that sets off this glowing Neon sign ..

Per diem nurses and agency nurses are not underemployed - they choose their particular work situations that work for them. They are able to do this partly because of the nursing shortage that exists in many markets.

Altra, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2007

Never in a million years am I retaking basic Chem or anything of that Ilk... lol .

Then consider taking CLEP exams, if this is acceptable to the school to which you are applying. Otherwise, you'll be at an impasse, won't you?

Don't quit your day job anytime soon.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2007

I graduated with a BS in Physics in 1985.
I had to re-take Psychology 101 and English 101 before entering my nursing program.
Was it silly? Yes, in some ways. However, I DID learn new things in each class. I don't see any opportunity for learning as a waste.
While re-taking these classes, I had a different mind set also. I thought about Psychology in regards to nursing, and English in terms of charting and effective communication.
Even if you have a solid background in ANY advanced degree, nursing is a totally different ball game. I would see value in having to re-take classes, as your emphasis is now different. I will have to re-take more classes as I continue on for my RN, and that's OK, I'll learn something new.
It was more problematic to find a nursing program that did NOT look at my 20+ year old GPA as part of their competitive entrance process :-)
I pursued my LPN, and am planning on bridging to RN....but this is definitely a 2nd degree for me.

This is such a good attitude.

arciedee · Mar 31, 2007

I haven't the foggiest why I'm even jumping into this thread, but I just wanted to note that the idea of having to retake pre-reqs because they are "too old" is not unique to nursing and it's not a ploy to pump more money into the local colleges. I was a non-traditional pre-med prior to choosing nursing and on the forum I used to frequent then quite a few people commented that they had taken the general chem, bio, orgo, and/or physics requirements for their prior degree but were now having to retake it because med schools wanted their coursework to be more current. Again, it depended on the school as to what was considered "too old" but it certainly wasn't an unusual occurrence. The overriding opinion there, as here, was that schools wanted you to have studied the material recently because you weren't going to have the time to review once you were in med school, plus the sciences are not static... there are new changes and developments all the time and you need to be current. What they are teaching you BUILDS ON that foundation. And as someone used to mention on the pre-med site it's: "Their ball, their rules, their game." You can choose to play it or not.