Bachelors or Associates?

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Hi all! First post here, and I have a couple of questions about getting my nursing degree.

*Sorry for the length*

I am a junior in an unconventional school setting. I have a diagnosis of anxiety and PTSD, and have been hospitalized for my condition in the past. (Two years hospital free!):yes: When I was in the various hospitals, I didn't always bond well with my doctors, but I saw and interacted with the nurses every day. I want to help people the way I was helped by nurses, so I have decided to be a one.

I don't have the opportunity to take AP or even honors courses in my high school, but I do have the opportunity to attend my program's vocational/tech school partner next year. The course I applied for can end with me becoming a CNA. I have gotten conflicting information on bachelors vs. associates.

1) Is a Bachelors degree going to be more helpful to me and my career in the long run or would an Associates be enough?

2) If I can't get my CNA due to space in the program, should I get certified before going to nursing school?

Thanks for reading!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

The bachelor's will be more useful in the long run. Many hospitals are transitioning to requiring a bachelor's degree. However, the way a lot of people do it (myself included) is to get an associate's degree, start working as an RN, and get the bachelor's while working. Look at the hospitals in your area and see if they will offer tuition reimbursement or incentives to RN's with an associate's to get their bachelor's.

As for the CNA certification - totally unnecessary. There are CNA's and LPN's in my program who are actually struggling more than those of us with no experience because they are set in their ways and used to their scope of practice and doing things their way rather than "by the book" as instructors want them to do. It's easier for people with no other experience to do things the way the instructors or book say because we don't know any other way of doing it.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

If you've been hospitalized for mental health treatment, be aware that this may create a snag for you, depending upon your state's processes. Some state BONs treat mental health problems in the same way as addictions or criminal backgrounds. If your physician has given you the go-ahead for nursing school, I'd recommend keeping your health history on the down low. Start by making sure your user name is completely anonymous.

Best wishes on your nursing education journey.

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