Can You get a ASN if you have a B.A. in another field

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Is it possible to get a ASN if you already have a Bachelors? A friend of minewas asking me this because she really wants to be a Nurse Practitioner, but getting a BSN right now is way too expensive especially the accelerated ones for those with a B.A Already, she was considering looking into community colleges and then get a Nursing job and have them help her pay. I told her I was not sure if she could do this considering she has a degree already. Although I was thinking they may but she would still need to take the sciences required? I was told by someone else that she couldbecause it's a Associate of Science not a Associate of ARTS it's career training not the same as the one your really planning to transfer to a University. Im not sure were confused she and I will be looking at the responses so if ANYONE could please educate us on this Thank You!

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A Bachelors degree in anything other than nursing will not negate someone from getting an Associate degree in nursing. There are many people that are second-careering to nursing-they already have a bachelor's degree( or Masters) in another field and are either going back to school to get an ADN, ASN, AS, BSN, etc. to become a nurse.

otessa

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
is it possible to get a asn if you already have a bachelors?

yes! community colleges will not prevent you from getting another degree just because you have one already. in fact, it helps you to bypass a lot of pre-reqs because your other degree courses transfer over. btw, i had an mba before i went back to school to receive an adn/asn from a community college. i did it for the same reason your friend described. i wanted to be able to pay cash for my degree and an accelerated bsn program was way too expensive!!!! now i am a rn working ft and paying cash for my bsn degree (yes, employers can help with this but it really is not necessary if you work ft as a rn and attend school pt). gl to your friend.

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Specializes in ICU.

I got an ADN after already having an AB. I didn't have to take any of the non-science prereqs. I had to take all the science classes, though, since it had been too long since I'd had my science classes (high school). Made for some really easy As.

:paw:

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You can have as many AA, AS, BA, BS degrees as you want.

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You can get an ASN with a prior BA, many do, but an accelerated BSN or an entry level MSN might be a better option.

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

22 out of the 38 people in my ADN nursing class had BS or BA degrees in other fields. Of course you/she can.

FYI once she becomes a nurse her other degree will not be recognized for anything in the field.

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm currently in an ASN program and I have a BS in Chemistry. The community college took all my pre-reqs from my BS 15 years ago. The only things they won't accept for transfer are the science courses for your nursing if it's been more than 5 years. I had to take A&P 1/2 and Micro. I also had to take nutrition and psych b/c I didn't have those for my BS. They accepted all my english, calculus, art, music, history, econ, etc.

I plan on becoming and NP and doing the ASN was the fastest way to get my RN and start working so I can get a hospital to help with tuition for my BSN and NP.

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A Very Expensive option they are very expensive especially if your watching your wallet

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I'm dealing with the same issue. I too have a BA degree but I chose to do an accelerated BSN program at a state school (pending as I take PRs). Mainly because I am not employed now and can't pay for either option solely out of pocket. One of the 2 CCs in my area would not give me any financial aid towards a 2yr nursing degree and from what I understand once you have a bachelors degree you are not eligbile for aid for a 2 yr degree(??)

I'm not in the healthcare field yet but I would assume that your first degree would be considered if it applies to what your employer needs (business management, hr, legal studies, social work, medical lab technology, etc, etc) These seem that they would give you a boost once you get a few years under your belt.

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

Honestly, I see the appeal of getting an associate's degree first---might be a faster entry into nursing (although that depends on whether or not there's a wait list) and it might be less expensive in the short term, but in the long term, if someone with a previous bachelor's degree or higher knows he/she wants to become an NP, it would be much less of a hassle and possibly less expensive to get into either an accelerated BSN or entry level MSN program.

BTW, do keep in mind that many universities are dropping master's programs to prepare nurse practitioners and are starting up DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) programs to replace them. I believe it takes at least three, maybe four years to complete a DNP. The OP's friend considering getting an associate's degree might be wise to start looking ahead to the requirements for a DNP before starting up ANY program.

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I, too, have a BA and am going back to get my nursing degree. Like everyone else has said, having a degree already won't affect her ability to get an ASN at all. The only problem I have run into at my local community college is not being eligible for financial aid for my pre-reqs. Since I have a degree already, I don't qualify for aid at a CC. However, once I'm accepted to the nursing program, I can apply for a hardship and can get aid then.

Good thing CCs are cheap and I only had a few pre-reqs to take. :lol2:

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