ba to bsn

klone, MSN, RN · Oct 29, 2014

It's possible that having a BA in another discipline MIGHT knock out a couple general ed courses, but no, it's not going to be significantly shorter. One option is looking into ABSN programs (accelerated BSN) which are geared for people who already hold a bachelor's degree in another discipline. They generally award a BSN in 15-18 months (but it's VERY fast paced).

Benedina · Oct 29, 2014

It's much shorter, isn't it? This is what I did, and it made me an RN in 24 months. It could have been 18 but I elected the traditional path in order to work at a paid internship for one summer rather than take courses and graduate one semester early. Our school required 5 semesters past our general ed courses. My BA fulfilled all the 2 years of general ed courses.

I hesitate to differ from you, though, Klone, because you are pretty much always right!

On the other hand, OP, it sounds as if you don't have your BA yet? In that case, doing a BSN is going to take you the whole 4-year nine yards. No point in getting your BA first unless you have only a few courses to go.

Benedina

hiii · Oct 29, 2014

Thank you for the responses!

If i can finish my BA in a year and then take the aaccelerated BSN for 15 to 18 months. Then i can become an RN in 2.5 years instead of 4. Right?

klone, MSN, RN · Oct 30, 2014

I hesitate to differ from you, though, Klone, because you are pretty much always right!

I'm flattered, but that's not correct. I'm just strident and opinionated, and SOUND like I always know what I'm talking about. :)

My understanding of most BAs was that they didn't have a lot of hard science courses, so there would still be a lot of prerequisites needed (A&P I, A&P II, Microbiology, chemistry, statistics, nutrition). If BA programs cover that, then that would certainly knock out a lot of prereqs and result in a must faster program for the BSN.

klone, MSN, RN · Oct 30, 2014

Thank you for the responses!
If i can finish my BA in a year and then take the aaccelerated BSN for 15 to 18 months. Then i can become an RN in 2.5 years instead of 4. Right?

Correct, with the caveat that most ABSN programs require that you have ALL prerequisites completed before you enroll. Because it's so fast-paced, there is NO room for extra stuff. It is VERY fulltime. It's expected that the students do not work while in the program.

As an example, here is the list of courses that must be completed for one ABSN program before you can apply to the program:

Accelerated BS in Nursing Degree - Regis University Nursing Program

Sorry, that didn't link directly - click on the "Program Requirements" tab.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Oct 30, 2014

Thank you for the responses!
If i can finish my BA in a year and then take the accelerated BSN for 15 to 18 months. Then i can become an RN in 2.5 years instead of 4. Right?

I'm not sure why you would want to finish your BA unless it's in a field you plan to work in. Use the next year to get those hard science courses done. In many colleges/universities, those are designed as weeding courses and require much more time commitment than other 3-4 credit classes you may be used to taking.

SierraBravo · Oct 31, 2014

I'm flattered, but that's not correct. I'm just strident and opinionated, and SOUND like I always know what I'm talking about. :)
My understanding of most BAs was that they didn't have a lot of hard science courses, so there would still be a lot of prerequisites needed (A&P I, A&P II, Microbiology, chemistry, statistics, nutrition). If BA programs cover that, then that would certainly knock out a lot of prereqs and result in a must faster program for the BSN.

It depends on what the BA was in. My B.A. was in biology and I took a year of general biology, a year of general chemistry, a year of physics, biochemistry, cell biology, the biology of cancer, genetics, ecology, human anatomy, human physiology, and calculus I & II. I also have graduate work in cellular and molecular physiology. In terms of accelerated nursing programs, I did one and loved it. My program was 11 months start to finish. Many of the accelerated programs are 11-12 months, but I have seem some up to 18 months. If you have the B.A. now then the accelerated route is your best option as you get your BSN and you will be licensed must faster than doing an ADN program or even a traditional 4 year BSN program.