Can I do this and still get a bachelors in nursing?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2014

Have you heard of the associate of applied science degree in nursing? It is offered at most community colleges and is the most common way in which nurses in the US are educated. You could earn an ASN (associate of science in nursing), become an RN in two to three years and perhaps work part time while you transfer to a university to complete your BSN (bachelor of science in nursing). Or nowadays you could complete the BSN portion entirely online.

What are your long-term career goals? Do you want to be a nurse, do you want to work in the business sector, or do you want to combine the two interests? Personally, I have never met anyone who has gone far in his or her career with a general associate degree in business. Many nurses who combine the two have a BSN degree plus an MBA (master of business administration).

desereelynn · Feb 25, 2014

@TheCommuter,

the only problem with getting an associates in the medical field at my local junior college is the fact that it is based on lottery. 650 students apply and only 60 get in on a lottery basis. I would like to get my associates in business because I plan on owning one someday but I also feel it would work to get into the BSN at a 4 year if I take the pre reqs. I'm just not sure if that could actually work?

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 25, 2014

The thing is, you MUST fulfill your requirements related to the degree you are seeking; if you want to become a nurse, the two of the four years in obtaining a BSN is general ed classes, which you plan on doing at the CC; you can get a general ed degree, transfer and hen do the nursing courses-your major courses-at a university.

As far as owning your own business; most small business owners do not necessarily have a business degree; there is an organization called SCORE that helps thousands start their own business; I would look them up instead of getting a degree that is not even an entry level degree to be effective to obtain what you desire, meaning, you can't in some CC's have courses for another degree track when they require their own.

It's best to get a General Ed degree and transfer into a 4 year university and complete your nursing studies there; if you want to start your own business, google SCORE and find a local chapter in your area.

Best wishes.

desereelynn · Feb 25, 2014

That makes a lot of sense, thank you SO much! I'll definitely be looking into it.

RunBabyRN · Feb 25, 2014

You can absolutely do your prereqs at a community college and transfer to a BSN program! As long as you make sure everything transfers to a university, you're all set. That's how I did it- why waste money on university tuition for stuff you can take at a community college for 1/10 the price? I would still apply to the lottery- cast a wide net to increase your chances of getting into A program somewhere. Apply to as many programs as you would consider attending. I applied to 10, and got into 2.

I agree about the business degree. They really don't mean much anymore (even a master's really, since SO many people went back for their MBAs years ago), but you can always take some extra business courses, even if you aren't a business major. Our local community college will allow for this, and I would imagine others would as well.

On_a_mission92 · Feb 26, 2014

yes why not, its what i did, also cheaper, community college that offers BSN in Nursing even better!