BA English or BSN?

2bEsqtoRN · Mar 13, 2012

That depends on how many credits are transferable for a typical BSN program. If you haven't yet taken many of the core classes required in a BSN program (A&P I and II, Chemistry, Statistics, Nutrition) I suggest you take them while you're still a student, graduate with your BA and then transition into an accelerated BSN program.

Conversely, if you've taken most of the required courses, I still suggest you finish the degree you started and apply to nursing school later this year.

Radha_LeiLei2009 · Mar 21, 2012

Thank you for responding! I guess I'm really in a quandary because it would take the same amount of time to finish my BA as it would to finish my prerequisites. So with both of them included, it would take almost 2 years before I can even apply to nursing school. I haven't started the sciences for nursing school yet! Also, my BA GPA isn't that strong from when I first started at the university. I'll barely make a 2.75 when I graduate. I don't know if that's a very good GPA...versus just leaving it as it is, and focusing on my prerequisites...

maddiem · Mar 21, 2012

A BA in English is not necessarily going to prepare you for nursing school. If your goal is nursing, I would start taking nursing prerequisites asap. Make sure you're ready to work hard though! BSN programs are very competitive and having the best grades possible are going to increase your chances of being accepted. A good GPA will also be needed. To stand up against the competition, I would say anywhere from a 3.30 and above. Most schools have a threshold as to who they consider for admission and most schools require about a 2.75 GPA and higher (just to be considered for the application). So seeing as your GPA is on the low side right now, you will need to do very well in your prerequisites to bring it up. Also, you will need to do well on the entrance exams. And your science prerequisites will help you do that. General nursing prerequisites are: Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2, General Biology, Microbiology, General Chemistry (some schools require Organic Chem), Nutrition, Developmental Psychology, College Algebra, Statistics (math prerequisites tend to vary by school)...To save money, I would recommend taking these at a community college. I would also recommend taking some of these courses in the summer to help speed up your progress (I don't recommend taking science classes in the summer since most summer classes are accelerated). Also, community colleges expect most students to transfer, so the transferability of your courses will be much better than at a private institution.

Also, don't leave out the option of obtaining your RN through an associates degree program. Less prerequisites, you will get your RN license faster, and you cant take an RN-BSN program to further your education after. This is a less expensive rout to go and it will save you time! Getting your RN-BSN will only take about a year and a half. And they're designed for working RN's. So you can start working as a nurse faster too! This is the rout I'm going and I think its the best financially. I plan on going to grad school for Nurse Anesthesiology so its not like if you get your associates your stuck. The Associates Degree in Nursing programs are not "easier" or not as "good" as BSN programs. Its still nursing school :) its hard! This might be a better option for you considering your GPA because a lot of community college nursing programs will only take the GPA of your prerequisite courses. This is how it is done at community college in my area.

Best of luck!

- Maddie