BSN/ASN confusion!!

Nurses General Nursing

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I currently hold a BBA and want to become a nurse within the next three years due to my age and wanting another child. Now, I visited a nursing school in NJ that offers the asn but it will take me three years including the pre-req's. There is so much you have to do to even be considered acceptance vs the Absn acceptance. You need High school transcripts, college transcripts, essay, 2 ref's, interview, NLN exam, etc. Also, you can do all the pre-req's in the CC for the ASN but there is a chance you may not be accepted into the nursing school which would defeat the purpose. Now I did horrible in High school but graduated college with a 3.06 GPA. I feel it may hinder my accpetance. One school for the ABSN part time evening is perfect but hard to get into and at least $50,000 for two years. Another school has the ABSN but full time and currently put in a bid for a part time ABSN but it is not "officially" approved as yet. I was told maybe in the next year or two. Plus they only need 5 pre-req's, 3 ref's, 3.0 GPA and interview. There is no NLN exam to take prior and they a very reputable.

So my issue is in order to be accepted in the ASN program, I must pass the exam and meet the other requirements along with 8 other pre-req's (they told me I had to do Math and Intro to computers over again; its passed 5 years). So it will take me at least 3 years and $20,000. Or should I go with the ABSN route at the expensive school or wait for the cheaper University to open their ABSN part time.

There is NO WAY i can do any of this full time and I am scared the ABSN part time maybe too much for me. I am determined to become a nurse one way or the other. Most of the hospitals in my area are BSN "prefered" but with experience. So if I even went with the BSN would I have a chance with no exp? Is it better to go through the ASN if in the future they will require a BSN then I would have to go back to school again for the BSN!!?? AHHHHH!! I wanna pull my hair out right now!

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I am not familiar with the ASN acronym. I assume you are talking about Associate Degree Nursing.

In Texas we are allowed to do accelerated programs to get ADN or even BSN if you have a degree in something else. I know that UT-Arlington has an online program just for that. You might contact the biggest schools in your state to find out if they have such a program or contact UT-Arlington to get degree online. You would end up with a Texas license but that can then be changed over to another state. (or you can move to Texas!). Worth a phone call. That program lasts 13 months and much cheaper than what you described.

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ASN - Associates in Science/ Diploma in Nursing. It is a joint program with a School of Nursing and Community College. I didn't know there were ADN/BSN onlin programs without having the RN first? I will look into it..thank you for your input..

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I chose the LPN route FIRST. MANY RN Schools will accept you after you get your LPN. And, atleast you can work after 1yr of school TOWARDS your RN online. Does that simplify life for you?

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

Um, ABSN = Accelerated Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Two years is NOT! accelerated. The regular, standard BSN program is two years for college grads, or should be.

Do not worry that BSN will become required and you will be forced to get a BSN anyway. That's all just talk that has been going on for decades. However as a new grad you will likely have a better chance of being hired as a new grad BSN vs ASN if you live in the North East.

My advice is to do whatever program gets you your license fastest.

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Specializes in ICU.

So here are some perspective from my area (Oregon and the Pacific Northwest)...

I just completed an 18 month Accelerated BSN program. In general they are full time programs, really - what is the point of doing an accelerated program if you are going to do it part time? Isn't the goal of an accelerated program to get it done sooner than later? If you really want to get into nursing and get it done quickly you'll need to take a serious look at what you will be willing to sacrifice. We sold our home, I quit my job and we put another baby on hold during nursing school.

The Accelerated BSN programs generally require less "jumping through hoops" because they take into account your previous degree. A school may only require a 3.0 GPA, but in reality many of the applicants will have a much higher GPA. My school only required a 2.75, but the applicants for my year averaged above a 3.76 GPA.

I am also a proponent of a Bachelors of Science over an associates degree. It is the future of the profession. People may gripe over it, but the same thing happened when nursing transitioned from diploma programs. Look at who we work with... physicians, pharmacists, social workers, therapists - doctorate degrees and masters degrees, etc. To elevate the whole nursing profession we need to change how we view our education requirements.

In the northwest, we have a glut of nursing school graduates. Employers are being picky and the BSN degrees have an edge over the associates degree in nursing (ADN) students. Are BSNs always picked over the ADNs? - No, but I can say I am hearing more BSNs are landing new grad jobs over the ADNs.

When you do graduate, you will be looking for Graduate Nurse Internships. These are the positions specific for a new graduate with no experience. Right now they are hard to find in my area - a recent opening had over 600 applicants, but that is what you will be looking for when you graduate.

Right now I would focus on your prerequisite courses and improving your GPA. Go through each school you are interested in and make a list of all their requirements. That way you can check off each one and see how close you are to having a complete application.

Nursing school requires a lot of sacrifices and support from your spouse. You both have to be on the same page in order to make it work. Talk about it often and see what solutions present themselves.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"ASN - Associates in Science/ Diploma in Nursing"

Not necessarily true. ASN = Associates of Science in Nursing, which is different from a Diploma school. To my knowledge, diploma schools have been phased out. An Associates Degree is an Associates Degree, not a Diploma.

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Diploma schools have not been phased out as I am in one now. It combines a Diploma in nursing with an Associates degree in science if you choose. I already have a BA, so I'm just in the Diploma program. They have excellent standards and students land jobs pretty quickly from what I hear because it through a hospital. It's just tough out there in general right now. I have friends that have BSN's and Associates and Diplomas and are all having difficulty finding a job or a new position. They have about a year experience and it's still not enough.

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@ PFB-RN..The hospital I currently work in is also a University. After speaking with the DEAN, she advised a bid was put in for a part-time accelerated BSN for individuals that work during the day.

@ OregonBSN..I really appreciate your advise, but unfortunately my husband is currently unemployed and there is no way I can do the BSN full time. I will just wait for the University to approve the part time ABSN and if it isn't, I will apply to FDU for their part time Second Degree program. Ur right, I should just go for the BSN because in my area, it is needed.

@Roser13...It IS what I explained..you get the AS from the CC and the Diploma from the Nursing school. The Director who held the open house explained it to us this week.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"@Roser13...It IS what I explained..you get the AS from the CC and the Diploma from the Nursing school. The Director who held the open house explained it to us this week. "That's fine. Notice I said 'not necessarily.' My ASN is an actual Associates Degree, not a Diploma.

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Specializes in ICU.
@ PFB-RN..The hospital I currently work in is also a University. After speaking with the DEAN, she advised a bid was put in for a part-time accelerated BSN for individuals that work during the day.

@ OregonBSN..I really appreciate your advise, but unfortunately my husband is currently unemployed and there is no way I can do the BSN full time. I will just wait for the University to approve the part time ABSN and if it isn't, I will apply to FDU for their part time Second Degree program. Ur right, I should just go for the BSN because in my area, it is needed.

@Roser13...It IS what I explained..you get the AS from the CC and the Diploma from the Nursing school. The Director who held the open house explained it to us this week.

Good luck to you! Keep after it... you'll make it!

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

I received my LPn the traditional way, then obtained my Associates of Science in Nursing for my RN online/CLEP type program. I could not and did not want to go thru another year of full time being a student and the online/CLEP program was better for me, did take alittle longer than I wanted, but that was fine. And yes, it IS a regular Associate of Science degree, the emphasis is Nursing. Only diploma I have is a graduation diploma. I am currently working on my BSN through The College Network/Regis College. In my area of the US, RN's are needed with ANY degree!!! So come to the Mid-west/Central states area if you need a job. I work in LOng Term care, but woked in hospitals for 15 years. Best wishes!!!

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