Can I be a nurse without majoring in BSN?

Oldmahubbard · Aug 27, 2019

In my area, LPNs never join the second year slot of RN students who left. They start from scratch.

Nurse Magnolia, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2019

Just now, Oldmahubbard said:
In my area, LPNs never join the second year slot of RN students who left. They start from scratch.

Same. There were plenty of LPN's in my RN class and they had to start from the beginning. Plus, LPN's in my area can only work in LTC

kitten9199, ADN · Aug 27, 2019

31 minutes ago, Oldmahubbard said:
In my area, LPNs never join the second year slot of RN students who left. They start from scratch.

29 minutes ago, Nurse Magnolia said:
Same. There were plenty of LPN's in my RN class and they had to start from the beginning. Plus, LPN's in my area can only work in LTC

Yes, you are definitely limited to where you can work. However, some colleges have the bridge program and it is even online. My sister did the same thing because she was on a waiting list for her RN program for at least a year so she took that year to become an LPN. She and I somehow managed to not have to work in an LTC, not that there is anything wrong with it... We both had to put in just as much time to earn our RN. We did the same clinical hours, prerequisites and credits. With a low GPA being unsure about being a nurse I would rather come to that realization in LPN school than RN school. Trust me it was a well thought out plan but I'm cheap!

TheAngryMan · Aug 28, 2019

On 8/24/2019 at 4:45 AM, 4pplepie99 said:
Hi, I'm feeling really stressed out and scared for my future. I am currently entering my sophomore year in a 4 year university. I thought I wanted to medical school but with my low GPA I don't think that's happening. My friend is studying to become a nurse and I looked into it and I am interested. I always knew I wanted to go somewhere in the medical field but I didn't know what. I didn't do well in a class recently and I'm predicting a cumulative gpa of 2.0 for my freshman year and I'm feeling very hopeless about my future right now. The nursing major (BSN) at my university is known to be very competitive and I feel like I have no chance of getting in. Right now, my intended major is Anthropology (Medical anthropology/global health anthropology) and now I'm not sure what to do. Any advice on what I should do? Should I drop out of the university and transfer to a community college and get an AA for nursing and then go back to a university or is there another solution? Please any advice would really be helpful. I feel so lost, directionless and hopeless.

It is very common for people to do poorly freshman year. Medical school is still in reach. Study study study. Don't get distracted with parties, video games or Netflix.

Your mentality needs to be that you are the best student in the class and someone is coming for your 'A'. If you get anything below a 'B' on an exam retake and practice that exam until you perfect it.

For every math, chemistry or physics problem you get wrong, punish your self with 3 extra practice problems. For Anatomy and Physiology, make quizzes for yourself, until you always get them 100% right. Watch videos until you understand biology concepts completely.

If you feel like you are completely ready for an exam.... practice more.

It seems like alot of work... but you will get use to it and it will become second nature.

Diepster01 · Aug 28, 2019

I started college kind of the same way. I didn't know what I wanted to do and when I did decide on nursing, I didn't really try that hard to get A's in my courses. I had a few A's, B's and C's and then later realized that my grades probably wouldn't cut it to be accepted into a nursing program. I eventually changed majors and now have a BS in HIM. I've been working in this field for a few years now and the salary isn't bad, but I'm just not satisfied with what I do. Now I'm retaking my prerequisites that had expired and working 10x harder to get A's because I really want it this time. As of right now I'm finishing up my AP1 course and so far have a 95% average in the class.

So to save yourself thousands of dollars from getting a BS you're not really sure about, look into other programs in your area, the prereqs that are needed and the GPAs that they want to be considered into the program. Then speak with an advisor at a community college and see what is required to get into that nursing program, in either that school or other schools (many community colleges have transfer programs that they are contracted with). When you start off at a community college, your GPA gets erased and you get to start off fresh. Find out the reason why you're not doing well in your classes. Maybe you're taking too many courses at once and can't keep up the workload, or maybe you need to change your studying habits. AP1 and 2 requires a lot of memorization, so when I took it the first time around, I went to a quiet cafe and sat down and read my note cards over and over again for hours until it stuck. Since you're only in your first year of university, I'm assuming you're still fairly young and have plenty of time (forgive me if I'm wrong). I know people who are entering nursing school in their late 20's, 30s and even 40s. It's all about how focused and determine you want it. If you get distracted easily or feel the need to hang out instead of studying, then you need to change that. Nursing required a lot of time and only putting in the bare minimum won't cut it.

Also, I found youtube videos of nursing students very motivating. They give you an insight of how they did in school to get where they are now. I have about 4 classes to retake and plan on applying to be in the nursing program for next fall. Good luck with everything and remember, if you really want it then it will happen!

LovingLife123 · Aug 29, 2019

I feel like a lot of people are glossing over your GPA. You might have a cumulative 2.0? Nursing schools usually have a minimum 2.5 to apply to nursing school. But that’s not what will get you in. It’s usually 3.0-3.5. I know at my community college, in my cohort of 20, nobody had less than a 3.7 that got in. You will also need an entrance exam score that is competitive.

The question is, why are you doing so poorly? Adjusting to college? Out partying too much? Are you not grasping the material presented to you in your current classes?

If you were to somehow manage to get in to a program, you would need to fix why you are doing poorly. Nursing school is a beast all in it’s own. And if nursing is what you really want to do, failing out if one program can be a death sentence to getting into any other programs.

Be smart on how you do this.

Mkakids · Sep 1, 2019

On 8/25/2019 at 9:17 PM, Neo Soldier said:
A 2.0 is not competitive at all and the nursing major is competitive and impacted (at least in parts of CA).
I wouldn’t recommend getting a degree in anthropology if nursing is what you want ultimately; that’s a waste of time and money. I recommend getting into a community college and speaking with an advisor (preferably a nursing advisor). Get a plan that includes classes that will make you eligible to apply for BSN programs as well as ADN programs so that when you’re ready to apply to the nursing program, you can apply to both 4 year colleges and 2 year colleges.
Someone also suggested becoming a CNA which I think is a good idea seeing that you’re a bit undecided. You get a chance to work beside nurses and decide if you really like nursing. If you decide to get your CNA, I recommend a school that takes no more than 4 weeks. If you get your ADN first, you can work sooner because it’s a two year program as opposed to a BSN program that takes 2.5-3 years.

ADNs actually take 3 to 3.5 years in total. The nusing classes span 2 years, but hou also have several prereqs to take, which can take 2 to 3 semesters to complete.

DeniseO-1125 · Sep 1, 2019

39 minutes ago, Mkakids said:
ADNs actually take 3 to 3.5 years in total. The nusing classes span 2 years, but hou also have several prereqs to take, which can take 2 to 3 semesters to complete.

That all depends on where you go. I’ve checked into 3 accredited programs and all 3 are 2 years including prerequisites. So it may depend on your location and the programs around you.

IEDave, ASN, CNA, LVN · Sep 1, 2019

Just to muddy the waters further...

Once upon a time I had a BS in CS (Bachelor's in Computer Science) with a 2.76 cumulative GPA. By hook & by crook, got accepted into a CC VN program (here in California, you get an LVN license instead of an LPN license) and...failed out. Redid it, and was a Dean's List student for the entirety of the 2nd go around VN program.

The take home on this is, of the 3 degrees I hold (AA in CS, BS in CS, ASN in Vocational Nursing) the one I sweated bullets to pull off... was my ASN. Don't assume that going to a "mere" community college will make it easier. It won't be. Nursing school is difficult by design, because the profession is difficult. In your case, I'd look seriously into getting a CNA certificate and picking up some part-time hours on the floor first. You'll get the opportunity to see first hand what nursing's all about, before you decide.

Orion81RN · Sep 1, 2019

53 minutes ago, DeniseO-1125 said:
That all depends on where you go. I’ve checked into 3 accredited programs and all 3 are 2 years including prerequisites. So it may depend on your location and the programs around you.

In what universe does this make sense? You'd have to take anatomy and physiology (2 semester's worth of info) at the same time you are learning med-surg/adult nursing/ pathophysiology and pharmacology. That is setting students up for failure. You can't understand pathophysiology, pharmacology and nursing interventions without fully understanding 2 semester's worth of A&P. I would NEVER advise a student to go to such a school. Can you please tell me specifically what 3 programs you are referring to? Bc this is insane.

DeniseO-1125 · Sep 1, 2019

41 minutes ago, Orion81RN said:
In what universe does this make sense? You'd have to take anatomy and physiology (2 semester's worth of info) at the same time you are learning med-surg/adult nursing/ pathophysiology and pharmacology. That is setting students up for failure. You can't understand pathophysiology, pharmacology and nursing interventions without fully understanding 2 semester's worth of A&P. I would NEVER advise a student to go to such a school. Can you please tell me specifically what 3 programs you are referring to? Bc this is insane.

Everywhere? If you’re taking more than 2 years to get an associate degree then you may as well go for the bachelors. Personally I already have a BS, so I’m getting my ADN then going for my MSN.

Nurse Magnolia, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2019

57 minutes ago, Orion81RN said:
In what universe does this make sense? You'd have to take anatomy and physiology (2 semester's worth of info) at the same time you are learning med-surg/adult nursing/ pathophysiology and pharmacology. That is setting students up for failure. You can't understand pathophysiology, pharmacology and nursing interventions without fully understanding 2 semester's worth of A&P. I would NEVER advise a student to go to such a school. Can you please tell me specifically what 3 programs you are referring to? Bc this is insane.

My nursing school did this as well. I took A&P I concurrently with fundamentals, and A&P II concurrently with med/surg. It was by no means easy but I got A’s in all. It can be done. I had no life and I was stressed as hell....but it was the fastest way to graduate and since I already had two BS degrees I figured I knew how to study and so didn’t want to waste any time.