Best way to go back to school for Nursing after 1st BS

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I currently have a BS degree in Finance from the University of Oregon and after some experience in the field was looking at going to school for nursing to do something more rewarding. After reading some of the forums on here, I'm very confused as to the route of becoming a nurse. I have no background or course work in science / biology so would I have to complete pre-req classes to get into an Accelerated BSN program? Or are the science pre-reqs included in the BSN program.

Ultimately I would like to have the option of becoming an MD or a Nurse Anesthesiologist in the future. With this in mind, what would be the most cost effective / least time consuming path? I would like to go to school either here in the Northwest or to a location around the Dallas or Austin area.

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To get into an accelerated program you will need to have your prereqs done prior to applying to the program. MOST BSN programs include the sciences etc and all ADN programs do. I have a previous degree and am applying to an ADN program as it allows me to keep working while in school.

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So is that the biggest difference between a normal BSN and an ABSN? The BSN includes the pre-reqs that you would have taken prior to the ABSN? So, the ABSN cuts teaching those out and is done faster?

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To get your BSN in a traditional full time manner its 4 years. 2 years of gen ed's and prereqs and then 2 years of clinical work. In the ABSN its just the clinical portion without any gen ed or prereq's included. BSN is for anyone where as ABSN is for those who already have a health related degree and the science courses done. ABSN students at not in the typical 18-21 age range as in typical BSN programs as you are required to have a previous degree. Also ABSN degrees are 2 years of clinical work in about 15 months or less, so its really intense. These ABSN programs tend to be very intensive and very selective about those who are accepted. Also the pool of applicants for the ABSN program tends to be much larger compared to those actually accepted. In traditional ADN or BSN programs about 50% are admitted where as in ABSN its closer to 20% or less.

Hope this helps! If you have more questions I will try to answer them as best I can.

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