bachelor's degree question

Nurses General Nursing

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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!!!!!!!!!!!

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.

The school I am applying to is SUNY Upstate Medical University (http://www.upstate.edu) they have a program for RN's with Bachelor degrees in another field. It might be a pretty unique program.

Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

Please go for the BSN! Pleassseeeee!!!

If you want to leave floor nursing, you dont have to have a BSN or BS to do so. Look into clinics, same day surgeries, doctors office, public health (some will let you withouth BSN). When employers require a BSN its because of the extra classes that are exclusive to BSN prepared nurses. If you get a BS in psych you still are not a BSN prepared nurse.

Psychrn03, yes there are schools that will let you do the FNP without a BSN. They use the same concept that ELM programs use. My school offers it, infact I had tons of ADN prepared nurses as classmates.

First they have to complete the requirements for the BSN, then they pass on to the Masters classess.

The school is California State University of Los Angeles. www.calstatela.edu Click on attend csula, then from the drop down menu click on degrees and credentials.

Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.

A lot of the nurses I work with do have their bachelor's in non-nursing fields and then get a master's in a nurse practitioner program, My advice is finish the psych, you will still have your RN and a degree will be much favorable for job opportunities.BSN wont pay any more anyway,and your so close

Specializes in Clinical Decision Unit.
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.

UNC-Chapel and UNC-Charlotte also have RN-MSN programs that allow you to skip the BSN if you already have a BA or BS in another field. I think a lot of schools are starting to do this.

Psychrn03, yes there are schools that will let you do the FNP without a BSN. They use the same concept that ELM programs use. My school offers it, infact I had tons of ADN prepared nurses as classmates.

First they have to complete the requirements for the BSN, then they pass on to the Masters classess. www.calstatela.edu Click on attend csula, then from the drop down menu click on degrees and credentials.

Now that I can understand...you don't have to enter a BSN program, per se, but you do earn your BSN while working towards a MSN. What I'm understanding some to say is that you can become an APN without taking any BSN level classes.

However, my experience is that you can't just become a MSN without taking classes specific to a BSN education that are not covered in an ADN program (e.g., pathophys, research, community health, etc.). I just completed a RN-BSN/MSN program a couple weeks ago where I took several BSN courses, but was able to take, concurrently, 11 hrs of MSN courses. Now I'm just waiting on this lovely school to reinstate the MHNP program :angryfire:angryfire:angryfire

Now that I can understand...you don't have to enter a BSN program, per se, but you do earn your BSN while working towards a MSN. What I'm understanding some to say is that you can become an APN without taking any BSN level classes.

However, my experience is that you can't just become a MSN without taking classes specific to a BSN education that are not covered in an ADN program (e.g., pathophys, research, community health, etc.). I just completed a RN-BSN/MSN program a couple weeks ago where I took several BSN courses, but was able to take, concurrently, 11 hrs of MSN courses. Now I'm just waiting on this lovely school to reinstate the MHNP program :angryfire:angryfire:angryfire

No, I'm actually saying the program I am looking at does not require the completion of BSN classes. You need to take the excelsior BSN level tests for nursing management, nursing research, and community focused nursing. That's significantly less than what comprises any BSN I've heard of. Apparently they feel its enough to demonstrate BSN level knowledge. they spell out the program requirements on the web site.

Now excelsior themselves will let a person enter their MSN program without a BSN or any BSN tests/courses so long as you have an ADN and a bachelors in another field. They attempted to recruit me into it but it really didn't seem like a good idea. It's not a clinical masters program (i.e. you can't become an NP or clinical nurse specialist) so it's really just a masters degree for the sake of having a masters degree.... no route to advanced practice of any kind. (I don't mean to offend anyone.... just saying Excelsior's MSN isn't in line with my career goals)

Thanks, everyone, for all your insights, inputs and opinions! I guess the bottom line is, I still need to figure out what I want to be when I grow up! There are lots of things that interest me, like working in

OR, for insurance companies, for research companies, etc. I acutally like doing paperwork. I just feel that dread of coming into the med/surg unit everyday already and know that for my own sanity I can only do it for 6mos to a year.

I think any bachelor degree looks better than no bachelor's degree, and since I'm so close to the psych, it makes sense to get it. On the other hand, it also makes sense to start working on the BSN. I've even thought about a BS in healthcare administration. THe problem with the BSN is that it will take at minimun 4 semesters. I could probably finish the psych in 3.

I just don't know!!

Lately, I've thought about trying to meet with a career or life coach to help me figure out what the heck to do with my life!!!!!!!!!!

Specializes in Cath Lab/Critical Care.

Lately, I've thought about trying to meet with a career or life coach to help me figure out what the heck to do with my life!!!!!!!!!!

That is a really great idea...a career counselor might be able to help you see a bigger picture and narrow your focus in a way that helps you feel more comfortable with your decision. Good luck in whatever you choose!

No, I'm actually saying the program I am looking at does not require the completion of BSN classes. You need to take the excelsior BSN level tests for nursing management, nursing research, and community focused nursing. That's significantly less than what comprises any BSN I've heard of. Apparently they feel its enough to demonstrate BSN level knowledge. they spell out the program requirements on the web site.

I've looked at that program's curriculum and it appears that you can test out of those class (i.e., credit by examination) or take them if you can't pass the tests, but you still have to take NURS 310 (Health Assessment), NURS 621 (Pathophysiology [bS credit]), etc. so you are earning a BSN while progressing towards the MSN.

Per http://www.upstate.edu/con/ms/rn_ms_courseframe.php :

Bachelor’s in another field RN-to-MS Requirements

Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in another field must take the following bachelor degree level courses or Excelsior College Examinations (ECE) to fulfill

undergraduate nursing pre-requisites:

Management and Leadership (ECE 543) or CON NURS 415

Research (ECE 537) or CON NURS 481

Community Focused Nursing (ECE 546) or CON NURS 444

RN to MS— Curriculum

This program of study, in effect beginning Fall 2007, lists the courses that you will be required to complete in order to meet RN to MS requirements. Students will receive a Bachelor of Science degree after completion of course work listed in the first 3 semesters and a Master of Science degree after program completion. A student must enroll in the Fall semester to complete the program in 3 years.

Students entering the RN to MS program must meet the same requirements as students entering the BS program. In addition to pre-requisite BS requirements, an additional 12 credits (3 free electives - 9 credits and 1 science elective - 3 credits) are needed. Up to 12 credits may be lower division courses (100+/200+ level). A part-time student can enter the program either fall or spring semester. Pre-requisite courses offered on this Campus are all upper division (300+/400+).

I've looked at that program's curriculum and it appears that you can test out of those class (i.e., credit by examination) or take them if you can't pass the tests, but you still have to take NURS 310 (Health Assessment), NURS 621 (Pathophysiology [bS credit], etc. so you are earning a BSN while progression towards the MSN.

Per http://www.upstate.edu/con/ms/rn_ms_courseframe.php :

Bachelor's in another field RN-to-MS Requirements

Candidates with a bachelor's degree in another field must take the following bachelor degree level courses or Excelsior College Examinations (ECE) to fulfill

undergraduate nursing pre-requisites:

Management and Leadership (ECE 543) or CON NURS 415

Research (ECE 537) or CON NURS 481

Community Focused Nursing (ECE 546) or CON NURS 444

RN to MS-- Curriculum

This program of study, in effect beginning Fall 2007, lists the courses that you will be required to complete in order to meet RN to MS requirements. Students will receive a Bachelor of Science degree after completion of course work listed in the first 3 semesters and a Master of Science degree after program completion. A student must enroll in the Fall semester to complete the program in 3 years.

Students entering the RN to MS program must meet the same requirements as students entering the BS program. In addition to pre-requisite BS requirements, an additional 12 credits (3 free electives - 9 credits and 1 science elective - 3 credits) are needed. Up to 12 credits may be lower division courses (100+/200+ level). A part-time student can enter the program either fall or spring semester. Pre-requisite courses offered on this Campus are all upper division (300+/400+).

Wow, we are way off topic but.......

The link you have isn't the correct one. The program is not the RN-MSN. With a Bachelors in another field and an RN one may go directly into the MS program. See these two links:

http://www.upstate.edu/con/rn_with_degree.php

http://www.upstate.edu/con/ms/apn_msn_coursesframe.php

One actually skips many usual requirements of the BSN. I was skeptical at first as well until speaking with them.

Wow, we are way off topic but.......

The link you have isn't the correct one. The program is not the RN-MSN. With a Bachelors in another field and an RN one may go directly into the MS program. See these two links:

http://www.upstate.edu/con/rn_with_degree.php

http://www.upstate.edu/con/ms/apn_msn_coursesframe.php

One actually skips many usual requirements of the BSN. I was skeptical at first as well until speaking with them.

Wow. That's way cool. I wish I could have had that option. I wonder, though, how difficult the exams are.

Wow. That's way cool. I wish I could have had that option. I wonder, though, how difficult the exams are.

tough.... I just took the community focused nursing exam today and got a "C". I read both texts cover to cover (1500 pages in all). It's a pass, but I'll need to do much better on the others to downplay this one.

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