Any Advice???

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Specializes in Med-Surg/ ICU.

I am applying right now for nursing schools. I already have a BA and have been taking pre req's for the last year. My dillema is choosing which program to go to. One is an accelerated ASN program that starts this fall and that is 10 months long. I would then go back and get my BSN while working. (It would take me about a year to finish my BSN) OR I could start in Jan 07 and do an 18 month BSN program. Most of the CRNA schools require at LEAST 1 year exp. in ICU or related. Did any of you find it had to be working full time and still taking classes??? Would it be smarter to just for the BSN now and then, try to get some experience?? Any advice would be wonderful!!!

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Specializes in NICU,ICU,PACU,IV Therapy.

If you think that you can get into an icu setting after you pass your NCLEX I would recommend you going the ASN route and work while getting your BSN. That way you will be getting the icu exp. necessary while finishing your BSN.

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It has to be fulltime experience though, not part time. I'm in the same dilemma, I grad. my ADN program this may and did get into an ICU, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to work 36 hours a week while going to school, I will have 4 classes, I don't want to drop down to part time school as it will take another semester or 2 to finish my classes if I do so, I want to get the bsn done as fast as I can which is 1.5 years.....3 semesters. It'd be nice if I could work fulltime while doing my bsn courses, but I need to keep the grades. Was anyone able to do this? Note: weekend option at my hospital requires 2 years experience...

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Full time work and school sounds like a tall order but others have done it.

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Why get a BSN if you already have a BA? Lots of schools only require the baccalaureate....doesn't matter what it's in. Yes I am working full time and finishing my bsn full time and it is a tall order but quite doable...I figure it's good practice.

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Lots of schools only require the baccalaureate....doesn't matter what it's in.

It does matter what it's in. You won't get in with some type of liberal arts degree. Most schools list their degree requirment as either a BSN, which all schools accept, or another acceptable degree, such as a physical science of some sort. Given that the OP has a BA and not a BS, they probably don't have a physical science or other type of appropriate degree.

To answer the OP's question, given the time frame that you provided, I'd go with the BSN route. You could take this fall to retake any classes you'd need, if any, and knock out your GRE at the same time.

Hope this helps....

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Specializes in Med-Surg/ ICU.

Wow, all of these responses have been great!!! The programs I would like to apply to in the future DO require a BSN. I should have stated that in my OP... BUT I do have several classes out of the way going for my BSN. It would take me about a year part time. They would be all nursing major classes. All my Gen ed's are finished already. I am going down next week to talk with the program director of the BSN program...Wish me luck, I really want to make the right decision. I don't want to feel like I am wasting time, b/c there is so much I want to do. Life goes by very quickly... Thanks again for all your responses... I love this site:D

~Sarah

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I would go the BSN route for sure then. Let's say you went the ADN route and got into an ICU. You'd then be trying to digest and put into practice ICU nursing on top of doing the work required for the BSN. The learning curve for new grad ICU nurses is gigantic. You'll be mentally and physically challenged every single day for about the first year. I even have those days now and I've been in the ICU environment for just about 4 years now. Not to mention I'm almost finished with my BSN. Working full time and having the time consuming projects of the BSN make for little down time with the family.

Look at the big picture. Don't try and rush everything. It will all be sitting in your lap soon enough. Plus I just noticed your only 25...kick back and enjoy life a bit....or some more.

Just my 2 cents....

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It does matter what it's in. You won't get in with some type of liberal arts degree. Most schools list their degree requirment as either a BSN, which all schools accept, or another acceptable degree, such as a physical science of some sort. Given that the OP has a BA and not a BS, they probably don't have a physical science or other type of appropriate degree.

To answer the OP's question, given the time frame that you provided, I'd go with the BSN route. You could take this fall to retake any classes you'd need, if any, and knock out your GRE at the same time.

Hope this helps....

Guess you've never heard of a BA in chemistry, biology,etc. Hey OP what's you major in the BA?

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Specializes in Med-Surg/ ICU.

Cross cultural communications:)

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Gonna prolly wanna take the BSN then.

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Yep. Unless you wanna take some extra heavy sciences classes to show you can do it and for the knowledge, therefore it's a wash...gl

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