Can a second degree student apply for a Traditional BSN?

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I have a Ph.D. in political science, and I am preparing for a career transition to become a nurse.

I know many second degree students enter into the Accelerated BSN program. However, coming from a different field, I would like to take my time learning nursing. I know I am not thriving in a fast-paced learning environment.

So, my question is: Is it possible for a second degree applicant to apply for a traditional BSN?

I am considering to enroll in a community college and transfer to traditional BSN program. Is it an option available for a second degree student like me?

Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology Student.
londonflo said:

Can you give me an example of FLUFF courses?

If you already have a 4 year degree...and decide to return to school for a 4 year BSN...everything outside of your core nursing curriculum is considered FLUFF; math, english, psychology, philosophy, nutrition (yes a generalized nutrition course), writing, sociology, history, art, sociology, language, ethics, seminar courses because these were already done in your previous BS/BA. There's a reason why ABSN programs exists...you transfer 65 credits of fluff/pre-requisites and then you strictly take 55-60 credits of core nursing courses in order to complete said 2nd degree BSN (peds, maternity, community health, research, pharm, patho-phys, clinicals, health assessment, intro to clinical practice, etc (non-fluff)).

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To add to this, you want to look at the program. I applied to a traditional BSN program, knowing the university allowed second degree bachelor's students. But apparently not in the nursing program. It happens they're starting an ABSN for Summer 2024 so I'm applying for that now. 

You absolutely can start with an ASN, then use the bridge programs to get to where you want to be.  And as mentioned, a lot of hospitals and healthcare systems will pay for you to get the additional learning.  Especially since a lot want to hire BSNs or are making their ASNs get BSN degrees now. 

Good luck!

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Specializes in oncology.
Lipoma said:

everything outside of your core nursing curriculum is considered FLUFF; math, english, psychology, philosophy, nutrition (yes a generalized nutrition course), writing, sociology, history, art, sociology, language, ethics, seminar courses because these were already done in your previous BS/BA.

Why can't you understand this?  NOTHING IS FLUFF if you are actually performing professional nursing. To be an educated person, you are expected to rounded in your education by learning in all fields: math, English, psychology, philosophy, nutrition,  writing, sociology, history, art, sociology, language, ethics. I guess you missed the memo. All scholars from pre-med. MD, speech therapy, physical therapy. psych. social workers etc take these courses since a Bachelor's degree qualifies you to be an educated person.

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology Student.
londonflo said:

To be an educated person, you are expected to rounded in your education by learning in all fields: math, English, psychology, philosophy, nutrition,  writing, sociology, history, art, sociology, language, ethics. I guess you missed the memo. All scholars from pre-med. MD, speech therapy, physical therapy. psych. social workers etc take these courses since a Bachelor's degree qualifies you to be an educated person.

These courses are fluff and shouldn't be taken a second time during a second degree BSN. I'm responding to the question regarding what's considered fluff so yes these are fluff. If the OP didn't have a previous degree then those would be useful. These are useless and expensive courses so no I wouldn't recommend the OP retake these during a traditional bachelors degree as a second degree BSN prospective. 

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Specializes in oncology.
Lipoma said:

These courses are fluff and shouldn't be taken a second time during a second degree BSN.

Why would someone have to take these courses twice???? That was never mentioned in the OPs quotes. Any bachelor's program will require these  once ( but I don't know about the skivvy programs like Walden, GCU or WGU. ) No one in higher education respects these. (I can back this up by being on hiring committees). 

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology Student.
londonflo said:

Why would someone have to take these courses twice???? That was never mentioned in the OPs quotes. Any bachelor's program will require these  once ( but I don't know about the skivvy programs like Walden, GCU or WGU. ) No one in higher education respects these. (I can back this up by being on hiring committees). 

When the op stated "can a second degree student apply for a traditional BSN”…so if they went that route they would take those courses over.

an Accelerated BSN is not a traditional BSN. 

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Specializes in oncology.
Lipoma said:

When the op stated "can a second degree student apply for a traditional BSN”…so if they went that route they would take those courses over.

a traditional BSN does not mean a students starts with the 18 year olds... at the beginning. The credits achieved by a student who has already taken the course at the beginning of their college experience, do not need doing over. Did English literature criticism change? Did anthropology of culture change?

  But they will start at the beginning of the nursing curriculum so they may not take a full course load every semester.  BTW some sciences DO NOT need to be taken over if the school determines that the individual has been using concepts and elements from those sciences in their current position. 

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology Student.
londonflo said:

a traditional BSN does not mean a students starts with the 18 year olds... at the beginning. The credits achieved by a student who has already taken the course at the beginning of their college experience, do not need doing over. Did English literature criticism change? Did anthropology of culture change?

  But they will start at the beginning of the nursing curriculum so they may not take a full course load every semester.  BTW some sciences DO NOT need to be taken over if the school determines that the individual has been using concepts and elements from those sciences in their current position. 

At this point you're arguing just to argue. I answered the OP's question and I answered your question about what's considered fluff. You're adding more unnecessary assumptions. Nowhere did I say a traditional BSN only starts with 18 year olds. The OP is a second degree student aspiring to apply to a TRADITIONAL (by definition is a 4 year degree) so yes they will take all those FLUFF courses over if they already completed said courses during previous bachelors. 
Also you do not need to take any of the aforementioned courses to be a educated nurse. Are ASN trained nurses not professional? What about diploma nurses? No need to answer these questions because I'm no longer interested in what has to be said. I answered the OP's question and I answered yours and I still stand by my statement that every courses outside of your core nursing courses as a second degree applicant are redundant, fluff, and expensive. 

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Specializes in oncology.
Lipoma said:

The OP is a second degree student aspiring to apply to a TRADITIONAL (by definition is a 4 year degree) so yes they will take all those FLUFF courses over if they already completed said courses during previous bachelors. 

This is incorrect. I have been a nursing professor for over 40 years.

Who does an RN consult with about getting social services in the home? (this is learned in sociology)

When you are doing psych crisis intervention, what theories are you using (psychology)

Writing a cogent email to a manager?(English)

There so many ways we using the social underpinnings of being a professional in our daily practice, (or do you just hope the next shift takes care of it?)

 

 

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
Lipoma said:

These courses are fluff and shouldn't be taken a second time during a second degree BSN. I'm responding to the question regarding what's considered fluff so yes these are fluff. If the OP didn't have a previous degree then those would be useful. These are useless and expensive courses so no I wouldn't recommend the OP retake these during a traditional bachelors degree as a second degree BSN prospective. 

Please stop using the term "fluff" to refer to non-nursing courses.  That is a disrespectful, derogatory term and you are using it incorrectly.  Fluff implies useless nonsense.  Just say non-nursing courses, please.  It is not "fluff" when it is required for graduation.  Even graduating from a community college requires fulfillment of general education requirements.

As londonflo has correctly pointed out, a good liberal arts education is essential to be a well-rounded, educated individual.  Referring to these as "fluff" is degrading to the nursing profession and nurses.  If someone already has a bachelor's degree and is accepted into a traditional BSN, then they will not have to retake non-nursing courses.

Nursing is a PROFESSION, not a "trade."  Professionals are expected to be well-rounded and well-educated individuals, which means they should have an education beyond only nursing courses.   

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Specializes in oncology.
Lipoma said:

Also you do not need to take any of the aforementioned courses to be a educated nurse. Are ASN trained nurses not professional? What about diploma nurses?

I taught in all 3 programs - diploma, ASN and BSN. While in some programs, students did not take a full semester of Sociology, psychology etc. the content was included in the nursing courses. Since you doubt what I say look up the nurse practice act in your state...look at the nursing curriculum required..EACH of these things must be integrated if not taken outright. You don't know what you don't know....but NOW you know!

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
Lipoma said:

At this point you're arguing just to argue. I answered the OP's question and I answered your question about what's considered fluff. You're adding more unnecessary assumptions. Nowhere did I say a traditional BSN only starts with 18 year olds. The OP is a second degree student aspiring to apply to a TRADITIONAL (by definition is a 4 year degree) so yes they will take all those FLUFF courses over if they already completed said courses during previous bachelors. 
Also you do not need to take any of the aforementioned courses to be a educated nurse. Are ASN trained nurses not professional? What about diploma nurses? No need to answer these questions because I'm no longer interested in what has to be said. I answered the OP's question and I answered yours and I still stand by my statement that every courses outside of your core nursing courses as a second degree applicant are redundant, fluff, and expensive. 

You are incredibly wrong, as has already been explained.  However, whether or not you are interested, it is important for others to understand why you are wrong.

I'm attaching the nursing program requirements and curriculum for Santa Monica College, a well-regarded ADN program in California.  In order to graduate, a nursing student must also fulfill the Gen ED (liberal arts) requirements of the community college.  Furthermore, as the BSN is becoming the standard for more and more employers, nurses wishing to complete a bridge to BSN program by transferring to a 4-year college will need to meet the requirements of that institution.  

There are many liberal arts courses that future nurses will benefit from.  Foreign languages are a great example.  In the Southwest US, being able to speak Spanish is a huge plus.  Courses that help students understand other cultures are also very helpful, as nurses and healthcare providers must be able to compassionately and effectively treat patients of many different cultures.  A famous example of this is the Hmong tribespeople that immigrated to the US.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spirit_Catches_You_and_You_Fall_Down

Again, nursing is a profession, not a trade.  Nurses can and do earn master's, doctorate, and PhD degrees.  Many go on to become nurse practitioners, nursing managers and executives, professors, lawyers, policy advisors, etc.  Some even go on to medical school and medical schools have rigorous admissions requirements.

A good liberal arts education is essential for any professional.

Santa Monica College ADN Program.pdf

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