BS degree in Health Science then to Nursing program??

caliotter3 · Apr 6, 2012

Health science was my minor while in nursing school and that was the major that most of the nursing students moved to if they left the nursing program. Seems like a waste of time and money to go through the entire degree, then apply to the nursing program and I don't see any advantage to doing it that way.

abui1102 · Apr 7, 2012

I totally agree :) Thank you, I was just wondering if it was worth it or not.

NP Sam · Apr 8, 2012

Whoa, whoa, whoa :). I have a BS degree in Health Science and now a BSN. Yes, I did change my major to that when I did not get accepted to any nursing schools my first go round. But I don't regret it for one second because I was accepted to accelerated nursing program two months after finishing first degree. Best of luck!

abui1102 · Apr 9, 2012

If you don't mind me asking RN Sam, was it hard for you to apply for the nursing program?? And how long did it take for you to receive your BSN?? I'm just so scared of getting rejected because every nursing program is impacted

dragonfly414 · Apr 9, 2012

I'm graduating this May with a BS in Health Sciences and a minor in Holistic & Integrated Health. I declared the major to bide my time while I was trying to get into nursing at my school. Many of the College of Nursing courses at my school are also courses required for Health Sciences majors, so I was able to complete those courses with out being in the nursing program. I ended up cutting it too close to meeting graduation requirements for HS so I kinda have to graduate with the degree. Financial Aid told me I was free to change my major if I was accepted into nursing, but they didn't recommend it because you can't accept financial aid towards one degree that you almost complete and then switch your major and accept more financial aid for the new major. Apparently the government keeps tabs on this stuff and it is considered fraud, so be careful.

I applied to an MSN options program for Non-Nursing BS students, but did not get in with a 3.4 gpa. There were 110 applicants for 24 spots. I also applied to an accelerated BSN and regular BSN, but again did not get in to either of those. I was accepted at an ASN program within two weeks of applying at a community college. I decided it was best for me to go for the ASN, instead of waiting to try and reapply to a BSN again.

Even though it didn't work out as planned I'm good with it. My goal was to earn at least Bachelor's degree in school and I've done it. It isn't a BSN, but still a Bachelor's none the less. It also enabled me to chip away at classes required for a BSN, so if or when I go for an RN to BSN program I will not have as many classes to take. I feel that I'm better off to enter nursing clinical after taking many courses that are not required for my ASN, but will certainly be applicable like pathophysiology, pharmacology, and several nutrition courses. It is also going to cost me about half the tuition by getting an ASN instead of a BSN.

At some schools health sciences major can help you get more classes out of the way for nursing than general studies, but don't get too close to meeting graduation requirements. As far as it being a short cut for a BSN, it really isn't and it will also cost you a lot more to go that route. It also is not the "easy way out" or at least not at my school it isn't because you have to take many of the same classes as you would for nursing prerequisites like AP, chemistry, Microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, etc. There is no "easy way" to become an RN as far as I can see! It could be a little bit of a short cut to an MSN program like the one I applied to. Beware they are SUPER competitive and SUPER intense if you are accepted because you go through an accelerated bridge program to get your RN and then you start your graduate classes.

Good luck with your endeavors! :)

EMTP894 · Jun 18, 2015

This discussion is interesting to me for a few reasons. I'm in the process of trying to get into the nursing program at my school, Goodwin College in East Hartford, CT. However my backup plan is to go for the Bachelors in Health Science if I don't get into the nursing program. I find it interesting that the commentator above thought it was a waste of time to get the BS in Health Sciences as opposed to trudging through and getting the BSN. I suppose it would depend on your situation. Currently at my school it would take me 4 semesters to finish with the BS in Health Sciences, as opposed to 5 semesters for just the ADN RN, then another 2-3 semesters to finish the BSN (which would take even longer because my school requires you to be a licensed nurse prior to reapplying to their BSN program). To the person who originally posted, I would say go for the BS in Health Sciences, then apply to a one year RN program, around here the University of Connecticut has a one year program that requires you to have a BS in order to get into the program, then after the accelerated RN program, you are also granted a BSN in recognition for your previous college work, pretty sweet deal. As to those who say this is an expensive path, well, all education is expensive, and it's also all worth it, a degree with applicable skills will pay in dividends time and time again. Whatever degrees you accomplish while in school will only tell future employers that you have the ability and dedication to begin something and finish it. An associates degree in nursing is fine, but if you want to have a solid career, nothing wrong with a couple degrees, that will open doors for masters programs, so on and so forth. Good luck.

Miss Infermiera2b, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2015

I have definitely heard of this. A know a handful of students who got their bachelors in health science and moved on to an accelerated BSN program. I say, go for it!

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2015

There is no "shortcut" You will have to complete EVERY single class any other nursing student must complete. If you are accepted to an accelerated BSN program you will still have pre reqs and you will take EXACTLY the same classes all other BSN students take. The difference is I was taking 21 hours a semester in the accelerated BSN course. They are all the same courses and requirements.

Futurenurse876 · Jun 21, 2015

Hey Sam

I currently have a BS in health science and I,m trying to apply to an accelerated nursing program as well. What school did you apply to ?

Futurenurse876 · Nov 7, 2015

I'm graduating this May with a BS in Health Sciences and a minor in Holistic & Integrated Health. I declared the major to bide my time while I was trying to get into nursing at my school. Many of the College of Nursing courses at my school are also courses required for Health Sciences majors, so I was able to complete those courses with out being in the nursing program. I ended up cutting it too close to meeting graduation requirements for HS so I kinda have to graduate with the degree. Financial Aid told me I was free to change my major if I was accepted into nursing, but they didn't recommend it because you can't accept financial aid towards one degree that you almost complete and then switch your major and accept more financial aid for the new major. Apparently the government keeps tabs on this stuff and it is considered fraud, so be careful.
I applied to an MSN options program for Non-Nursing BS students, but did not get in with a 3.4 gpa. There were 110 applicants for 24 spots. I also applied to an accelerated BSN and regular BSN, but again did not get in to either of those. I was accepted at an ASN program within two weeks of applying at a community college. I decided it was best for me to go for the ASN, instead of waiting to try and reapply to a BSN again.
Even though it didn't work out as planned I'm good with it. My goal was to earn at least Bachelor's degree in school and I've done it. It isn't a BSN, but still a Bachelor's none the less. It also enabled me to chip away at classes required for a BSN, so if or when I go for an RN to BSN program I will not have as many classes to take. I feel that I'm better off to enter nursing clinical after taking many courses that are not required for my ASN, but will certainly be applicable like pathophysiology, pharmacology, and several nutrition courses. It is also going to cost me about half the tuition by getting an ASN instead of a BSN.
At some schools health sciences major can help you get more classes out of the way for nursing than general studies, but don't get too close to meeting graduation requirements. As far as it being a short cut for a BSN, it really isn't and it will also cost you a lot more to go that route. It also is not the "easy way out" or at least not at my school it isn't because you have to take many of the same classes as you would for nursing prerequisites like AP, chemistry, Microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, etc. There is no "easy way" to become an RN as far as I can see! It could be a little bit of a short cut to an MSN program like the one I applied to. Beware they are SUPER competitive and SUPER intense if you are accepted because you go through an accelerated bridge program to get your RN and then you start your graduate classes.
Good luck with your endeavors! :)

Where did you apply for that bridge program ?

sqweegel · Aug 17, 2016

...

I'm also interested in which bridge program you applied to? I'm currently in health science and want to go into nursing after getting my degree.