ASN With Second Degree

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So, if I have a degree all ready and have finished almost all the prerequisites for entry-level nursing programs (ASN, BSN...), would it be better financially and in terms of total credits to pursue a ASN at a local college (i.e. a community college) and go the RN-BSN route? I know that it would probably be around two years longer to complete my BSN. If I do have a ASN, should I directly pursue a MSN?

What did everybody get their first degree in? What were your original plans for that degree?

I received my Bachelors in Clinical Exercise Physiology. I was going to go to PT (Physical Therapy) school but my heart really wasn't in PT so I decided to go back to nursing (my original plan). I'm using my bachelors degree as I worked 2.5 years as a Exercise Physiologist and 1.5 years currently as a Health Coach.

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If I had to do it again, I would've gone for a direct entry MSN or BSN. It would've been a lot more expensive, but it would have opened a lot of doors. Home health is starting to require BSNs.

That's bad news for me. /sigh

My plan has been to do the ASD, then take the BSN through an online format. Then move on up the ladder to master's level. At 43 my sports related and patient related injuries are starting to catch up with me.

I'll replan it if I must, but I'm hoping I don't have to. The dual major's I took 20 years ago haven't done me any good at all really, as I decided I wouldn't be going to medical school.

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

Can you relocate to FL? RN to BSN program is $6500 at St. Pete College plus I know their are jobs here :)

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Can you relocate to FL? RN to BSN program is $6500 at St. Pete College plus I know their are jobs here :)

Is that in-state tuition? I think I have to live there for 12 months to get that.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
Do you think I could get a job with a unit like ER with an ADN? It seems like there's such a limited number of places hiring people with that degree. Everyone seems to want at least a BSN.

It depends on your facility. Most places will hire you if you get your BSN within a certain time frame. However, it generally is more difficult for a new grad to get hired in to the ER. Most facilities want you to have a few years experience first and rightfully so. I've seen a handful of new grad internships in the ER. That's really where I'd love to be, so I've been applying. Hoping to hear something soon. If not, I'll gladly work on a different unit to get the experience I need before transferring to ER.

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Which state are you in? I have a bachelors in x-ray tech and will be going to a community college in Virginia for my ADN for less than 3.5K. Almost all of VA CC's ADN has an articulation agreement with a bigger state university that allows second degree earners with a bachelors in the ADN program to concurrently take BSN classes online if they've finished prereq's for the bsn! So I would receive my ADN and BSN all in 2 years for around 15K. Maybe there's a program like this in your state or nearby one?

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If you're looking for a cheap ABSN, try george mason in DC. Under 18K for instate and 45K out of state. VCU is another one. Just move to Virginia, lots of cheap RN degree options and a decent job market haha! :up:

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If you're looking for a cheap ABSN, try george mason in DC. Under 18K for instate and 45K out of state. VCU is another one. Just move to Virginia, lots of cheap RN degree options and a decent job market haha! :up:

So, is that 45k the total cost of the program or the tuition per year? Assuming that's the total cost, if you include food, room and board, etc., you're probably looking at >60k. Considering the pay of new grads, I don't know if that program would be worth the cost.

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Specializes in NICU.

The fact that you have a bachelors will look great on your resume. I am in an ASN program with a BS in business management. I live in Florida and there are MANY local hospitals that hire ASN grads no problem. It's the big huge magnet hospital that will strongly recommend or require a BSN. Also, coming from a business and sales background, it doesn't matter what degree you hold its ALL about who you know and how you network. I've heard so many fellow nursing students say "HR didn't call me back" or "I just applied and am waiting." Going the extra mile and finding out when the hiring events are, find out thenHR and nurse managers, calling them, meeting them, following up (I'm giving away all this info stuff for free so hopefully someone takes it lol). These put a face to your name and when you apply and they see your name, they'll know what an eager beaver you are and call you for an interview! Managers would much rather hire a referral or someone they already know. So get to know them! An ASN is a great degree to start off with and if you do the work, will not have trouble getting a job :) Hope this helps you or someone else :)!

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I was just accepted into the absn program that I thought I didn't get into but I'm still doing the adn then adn to msn program because it's cheaper in the long run

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