Bachelors in Nursing?

studentnursepupmom · Aug 16, 2011

As another second-degree student, I would LOVE to think that a bachelor's degree in another feild would matter to employers, but honestly... that isn't the way it seems to work. I'm starting an ADN program this semester, so I can start working sooner, but I plan to complete a RN-to-BSN bridge program once I start working, because I've read (on this forum and other sites) that having a BSN will open up more opportunities for vertical movement in your nursing career. If only our previous degrees were worth something, haha... If there's a program available around where you live, you might be able to get into an accelerated BSN program, which is specifically for people who already have a degree in something else... it cuts out the number of pre-reqs you have to take and is faster paced so you finish faster than a regular BSN program.

studentnursepupmom · Aug 16, 2011

I just remembered... I did read something about criminal justice nursing, for nurses who work with sexual assault victims and other crime-related violence victims to help prosecutors and police... that might be something you could use your previous degree with, since it's in that area, but I think you still have to get certified via a specific nursing education program, and even that has to be after you get your BSN (I think).

Slappy619 · Aug 16, 2011

Thanks for the info! I would like to go into psych nursing. I've been told that my current degree would be a big help, due to the fact many severe psych patients have made contact with the criminal justice system. The accelerated BSN sounds like a good idea.

Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN · Aug 16, 2011

Keep on moving! Hopefully you can get your hands on a RN-to-BSN accelerated/bridge program. A BSN will widen your range of positions and in a lot of scenarios it will even boost your income. Good luck! I like to think it'd be a smart/beneficial idea for me to go on to my BSN, so I'll stick it out and spend some more time in school. Look on the bright side! Some people are doing it the even longer way. Long story short, I started an LPN program and am going to have to nearly start from scratch at a 4-year college for my BSN. Keep on working your way up is a good move, I think! Good luck!

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2011

here's a better idea: if you have a bachelor's degree already, do not pass go: go directly to a bachelor's-in-anything-to mn program. there are quite a few around the country. you'll have huge opportunities open to you-- i can see you running a sane unit in a few years, or working in an outpatient psych program that serves people with previous or pending le issues, or teaching le folks about psych issues, or working psych with the extra insight that le experience gave you ... you'll have so many more doors open for you. do yourself a big favor and check it out before you do anything less.

szeles23 · Aug 16, 2011

here's a better idea: if you have a bachelor's degree already, do not pass go: go directly to a bachelor's-in-anything-to mn program. there are quite a few around the country. you'll have huge opportunities open to you-- i can see you running a sane unit in a few years, or working in an outpatient psych program that serves people with previous or pending le issues, or teaching le folks about psych issues, or working psych with the extra insight that le experience gave you ... you'll have so many more doors open for you. do yourself a big favor and check it out before you do anything less.

totally agree with this advice!!!

kelleyac · Aug 16, 2011

here's a better idea: if you have a bachelor's degree already, do not pass go: go directly to a bachelor's-in-anything-to mn program. there are quite a few around the country. you'll have huge opportunities open to you-- i can see you running a sane unit in a few years, or working in an outpatient psych program that serves people with previous or pending le issues, or teaching le folks about psych issues, or working psych with the extra insight that le experience gave you ... you'll have so many more doors open for you. do yourself a big favor and check it out before you do anything less.

i agree with this advice as well, but it is not for everyone. in my case, i have looked many excellent bsn and mn programs for people who have unrelated bachelor's degrees. i would love nothing more than to be applying to one of these programs, but they required a full time commitment to school. right now, i just can't afford not to work so i am starting a part time adn program now and entering an rn- bsn program down the road. it's the best i can do right now, and i am not going to let the fact that it is a longer road deter me from getting there! that being said, if you have the time and the ability to do one of these types of programs- do it, i wish i could! :)

iPink, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2011

I also have a non-nursing Bachelors degree and currently working on my BSN. If I were you, I would just do the RN-MSN route instead.