bachelor's degree question

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hey everyone, just wanted some opinions on this. I am a new grad, associate's prepared RN. I am close to coming off orientation on a med/surg unit. So far, I'm not loving floor nursing, and have been researching types of non-bedside jobs available to nurses. I'm also interested in the OR. So here is my question. When I started my nursing program, I was 4 classes short of a BS in psychology. I know that having a bachelors degree helps in getting other types of nursing jobs. Should I finish the the psych degree since I only have 4 classes left, or should I start on a BSN, which will take me much longer (1.5-2 years). I don't think I can stay on the med-surg unit long enough to finish the BSN! Help!!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Peds/O.R./Legal/cardiology.

Cinnamon,

If you only have 4 classes left, I think it would be very wise to get that psychology degree completed and out of the way. You can decide after that what to do about the nursing degree. One thing at the time! You'll have so many more options available to you with a B.S. of any sort!

ebear

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I agree with the post above. Finish the psych bachelor's first. I am not a nurse yet, but I am at a 4 year college working on a combo of BSN and BS in Psych. I love the Psych stuff...really interesting!:monkeydance:

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I'm doubtful that finishing the BS will directly help you advance in another type of nursing. Do you want to continue in nursing in another capapcity? Look into RN to MSN programs. If you already have all those credits, it is likely that many would transfer in as support classes. You probably have more options than you think- keep looking and don't assume you aren't eligible for somethingany until you check it out. I would warn you that the type of positions that you are likely to get with a BS in Psych is similar in tedium, low money, and high stress as your nursing position.

My best advice would be to spend some time feeling out where you want to go. Don't go running into Psych just because you think it might be a way out of Nursing. If you do that without really examining your motives, you may end up in the same place two years from now with an RN and a Psych degree-hating your job and looking for direction.

Best wishes always!

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Specializes in Emergency.

Finish the Psych degree since you are so close. You could probably use a couple of the courses to put towards your BSN. In the mean time, look into switching specialties to an area you like better. No sense going to work miserable each day, just to do your time on MS.

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Speaking from experience here...I have a B.S. in Psyc and could not find a job in anything where I'm from and the jobs that were available payed absolutely nothing! (this is one reason why I am pursuing nursing) Thankfully, my hubby was transfered to another city and I now have a wonderful job. However, we plan to move back home in hte future, in which case, I will be in the same situation.

My advice to you is, depending on the area you live in, it will pay off to have a nursing BS rather than a Psyc BS. The only way I would finish up the psyc degree is if I planned on pursuing a masters.

Hope this helps!

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Peds/O.R./Legal/cardiology.

I'm just saying that, IMO, it would be foolish not to go ahead and get the psych. degree with only 4 classes left. That would be another accomplishment under her belt.

ebear

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I think everyone is right... bottom line you won't get any better a nursing job with a BS in anything but nursing. However, there are numerous options for an RN with a Bachelors degree in another field. For example, I am applying to get into an MS Nurse Practitioner (Psych) program with an RN (Associate degree) and a BA in philosophy. I can skip the BSN because I already have a bachelors.... I just need to pass a few Excelsior exams to demonstrate I have knowledge at the BSN level. I'm not sure how many programs there are like this. I too can't really stand floor nursing (especially med-surg) and quickly moved to psych nursing (as a floor nurse, but it is much more tolerable). Within six months of moving into psych nursing I got a job working in the admissions office doing intakes and screenings which is much better. My BA didn't help me in landing that job, previous experience in admissions and intakes as a paraprofessional did. Nursing just placed little value on anything but nursing.... it's unfortunate.

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hey everyone, just wanted some opinions on this. I am a new grad, associate's prepared RN. I am close to coming off orientation on a med/surg unit. So far, I'm not loving floor nursing, and have been researching types of non-bedside jobs available to nurses. I'm also interested in the OR. So here is my question. When I started my nursing program, I was 4 classes short of a BS in psychology. I know that having a bachelors degree helps in getting other types of nursing jobs. Should I finish the the psych degree since I only have 4 classes left, or should I start on a BSN, which will take me much longer (1.5-2 years). I don't think I can stay on the med-surg unit long enough to finish the BSN! Help!!!!!!!!!!!

I had my psych 1st, then got the ADN. There are some nursing jobs that require a bachelors degree; and some that require BSN, specifically. You can get your BSN in 1 year (Summer, Fall, and Spring semester) and still work most FT jobs. How long would you take to get the psych degree?

And keep in mind...if you ever want to return to school for a MSN, you have to get a BSN first. It's not like many Masters programs where you can have an Bachelors in basketweaving and apply for a Masters in English Lit.

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I think everyone is right... bottom line you won't get any better a nursing job with a BS in anything but nursing. However, there are numerous options for an RN with a Bachelors degree in another field. For example, I am applying to get into an MS Nurse Practitioner (Psych) program with an RN (Associate degree) and a BA in philosophy. I can skip the BSN because I already have a bachelors.... I just need to pass a few Excelsior exams to demonstrate I have knowledge at the BSN level. I'm not sure how many programs there are like this. I too can't really stand floor nursing (especially med-surg) and quickly moved to psych nursing (as a floor nurse, but it is much more tolerable). Within six months of moving into psych nursing I got a job working in the admissions office doing intakes and screenings which is much better. My BA didn't help me in landing that job, previous experience in admissions and intakes as a paraprofessional did. Nursing just placed little value on anything but nursing.... it's unfortunate.

this is news to me. What school will allow you to skip a BSN to become a Mental Health NP? I saw that you mentioned Excelsior, but I couldn't even find a APN program on their website.

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Specializes in L&D, PACU.

I'm not sure it will help you much. I have friends who had BS's in Biology, for instance, and it didn't help them a bit in landing nursing jobs. It was basically irrelevant, even in public health.

If you want to stay in nursing, get a BSN. Even if you could get into a Nurse Practitioner's program with the BS in psych, wouldn't you rather have the relevant information and training you'd get in a BSN? You can still use the knowledge you gained while taking the other classes, they wouldn't be wasted, knowledge never is.

My vote is don't waste time and dollars finishing off the psych degree unless you intend some day to reenter psychology.

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Specializes in Cath Lab/Critical Care.

While I think it is totally your choice whether or not you want to spend more time and money to pursue the BS in psych, I can tell you that as a nurse administrator who hires and oversees nurses and social workers for a family advocacy program, I cannot look at any resume with less than a BSN...it doesn't matter if the applicant has an ASN and a Master's in Psych...it doesn't matter as far as the nursing credentials go. Which is actually highly ironic and quite hysterical: I couldn't hire myself since I only have an ASN, but I can hire other people!!! :roll

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