BA, RN or BA, BSN what do I do?

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Hello out there. I currently have a BA and want to go into nursing. My schedule won't allow me to do an accelerated second bachelor nursing program. I have to go part time. My question is should I go for by BSN and have two Bachelors or just do an RN program. Is there a difference between a BSN or RN, BA? Could I still go into management or get my Masters degree as a BA, RN. Is the pay still the same. I just want to choose the right path. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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I have a BA, and I got my BSN. I would not have been accepted into ANY good PhD programs without the BSN. A Bachelor of Arts is not related to Nursing, and will be recognized as not related to nursing.

My BA has never played into my job prospects.

To get a Masters at most reputable schools of nursing, you would need a BSN, not just a BA. Management, in many hospitals, successful candidates have MSN's, not just a BSN. I think it might be possible in certain hospitals to obtain management position with a BA, btu then again, it is possible to attain a management position with an ASN, but it isn't so common anymore.

I don't want to be discouraging, but your former education, will not usually substitute for a BSN. (At least, in my case, with a BA from a top 25 university, this was true).

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Thanks so much for the info! It sounds like getting my BSN is the best route to give me plenty of options for the future.

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I have a BA in Psych and Master's in Psych. I'm applying for the accelerated BSN program. You need a BSN for a Master's. It also opens up management positions. The BSN pay may not be any different than an ADN's, however, it is looked up much more favorably. Good luck.

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Specializes in AGNP.

I just wanted to let you know that if you decided to do the 2 year RN program that they have online and in person MSN programs for people that have a non-nursing BS/BA and have a 2 year nursing degree. I just thought that info might help to know that you do not need a BSN to get into all MSN programs.

I have also been told by a few hospitals here in Michigan and in Indiana that they would substitute my non-nursing BS degree for management positions. So I think that must vary from hospital to hospital.

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I have a BA in Art History and have decided to go the Associate's Degree to BSN to Masters route. I know it will take longer but I am prepared for that. I live in RI and looked into the BSN program at Rhode Island College, their classes just aren't conducive to the working adult's schedule. I feel that at least I will be practicing while getting my BSN and hey, maybe I can get my employer to fund some of it! :)

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It is actually not an MSN requirement that you must have a BSN first. Many will actually accept a BS or a BA in another area, if you have the RN after your name.

Depends on the school, there is no cut and dry rule.

And many management positions will accept a BA or BS, along with the RN, for the same duties that a BSN would have.

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It is actually not an MSN requirement that you must have a BSN first. Many will actually accept a BS or a BA in another area, if you have the RN after your name.

Depends on the school, there is no cut and dry rule.

And many management positions will accept a BA or BS, along with the RN, for the same duties that a BSN would have.

What Suzanne said!

G'd luck!

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