Associates after Bachelors

lhflanurseNP, APRN · Mar 16, 2015

If your area supports ASN graduate RN jobs, there is no reason not too. The exam is the same regardless of the degree and your license does not reflect the degree type...just that you are a RN. That being said, more and more areas are pushing for BSN trained RNs. In this case, you could still do an accelerated program.

Aurora77 · Mar 16, 2015

I did just that, in order to get into a program sooner. An accelerated BSN would have required a year of full time prerequisites, time I could spend in the nursing program. It didn't hurt me a bit. In fact, it made getting my BSN quicker when the time came because I only had nursing classes to complete.

Infofreak411 · Mar 16, 2015

I did just that, in order to get into a program sooner. An accelerated BSN would have required a year of full time prerequisites, time I could spend in the nursing program. It didn't hurt me a bit. In fact, it made getting my BSN quicker when the time came because I only had nursing classes to complete.

But my point being is that I feel like my precious bachelors will be a waste

BrandonLPN, LPN · Mar 16, 2015

But my point being is that I feel like my precious bachelors will be a waste

I don't understand. If you want to be an RN you will have to complete some form of a nursing program, be it ADN, BSN, diploma, whatever. What does your previous bachelors have to do with anything? You apparently do not want to pursue a career related to whatever your degree was in. So why worry about it now. Take whatever academic credits and life experience you can from it and move on.

You said you're afraid what others will think. Why? Honestly, no one will care one way or the other. Trust me, no one is spending any time thinking about you and whether or not your first degree was a waste. We tend to think others spend more time thinking about us then they actually do. People have their own problems to worry about.

AspiringNurseMW · Mar 16, 2015

What the PP said. If you are worried about what other people think, don't, no one will care.

Getting a ASN does not demean in any way your "precious bachelor's". It's not like you'll lose it.

Aurora77 · Mar 17, 2015

But my point being is that I feel like my precious bachelors will be a waste

Then use it and don't be a nurse. I don't believe any education is a waste.

SierraBravo · Mar 17, 2015

But my point being is that I feel like my precious bachelors will be a waste

I can totally understand what you mean here. I have a Bachelors degree and went through an accelerated BSN program. For me it made sense because I felt like I was "moving forward". I would have never gone to a community college to get an ASN because the hospitals in my city don't hire nearly as many ASN's as they do BSN's. Also, my perception would have been that I was academically "going backwards" if I were to go for an ASN after having already earned a Bachelors degree as well as graduate work.

However, so long as your community hires ASN's then it is a viable option. Then you could always do a RN-BSN program and you're right where you would have been if you did the accelerated BSN. Howcome you can't do the accelerated program right now? It really is the quickest option for those that already hold a Bachelors degree.

If you just can't do the accelerated program right now, and the ASN is your only option right now, then you just have to find a way to reframe your perception. And your previous Bachelors will never be a waste. You gained education and experience which you can bring with you to any further education and job.

Infofreak411 · Mar 17, 2015

I can totally understand what you mean here. I have a Bachelors degree and went through an accelerated BSN program. For me it made sense because I felt like I was "moving forward". I would have never gone to a community college to get an ASN because the hospitals in my city don't hire nearly as many ASN's as they do BSN's. Also, my perception would have been that I was academically "going backwards" if I were to go for an ASN after having already earned a Bachelors degree as well as graduate work.
However, so long as your community hires ASN's then it is a viable option. Then you could always do a RN-BSN program and you're right where you would have been if you did the accelerated BSN. Howcome you can't do the accelerated program right now? It really is the quickest option for those that already hold a Bachelors degree.
If you just can't do the accelerated program right now, and the ASN is your only option right now, then you just have to find a way to reframe your perception. And your previous Bachelors will never be a waste. You gained education and experience which you can bring with you to any further education and job.

I really appreciate your insight! And I cannot do an acceleratrd program because that would mean I can't work and I can't not work.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Mar 17, 2015

Well, it's not like getting an associates after getting a bachelors is "negative education" in a mathematical sense or something. Having a bachelors plus an associates is still "more" education than just having the bachelors. It's not going backwards in any way.

Anyone who'd think less of you for going to a community college is clearly a 100% snob.

Graduatenurse14 · Mar 17, 2015

I have a previous BS and couldn't do an accelerated BSN because I had to work too so I did an ASN program. The experience itself was good but know this, in the world of nursing/nurses, no cares about any previous degree.

One could have a PhD in Biology or Human Physiology and a Diploma from a hospital-based nursing program and there are many who would give more props to the Diploma than the PhD. I never experienced that in my other field.

Infofreak411 · Mar 17, 2015

I have a previous BS and couldn't do an accelerated BSN because I had to work too so I did an ASN program. The experience itself was good but know this, in the world of nursing/nurses, no cares about any previous degree.
One could have a PhD in Biology or Human Physiology and a Diploma from a hospital-based nursing program and there are many who would give more props to the Diploma than the PhD. I never experienced that in my other field.

They don't even help if you wanted to move up to a better position?