Career Change- Nursing School Options

verene, MSN · Jul 19, 2018

1) "Best" will vary based on your individual needs and priorities in choosing a program. Given nursing programs - particularly in urban areas tend to be competitive, it can be worthwhile to apply to a program (or two or more) at each of the different levels of education to broaden your chances of being accepted somewhere. But, given different programs will have different requirements it can be really helpful to lay out the pre-reqs/requirements of each program you are open to attending and then see which mix of programs has the most overlap in pre-reqs.

Important things to note about different program levels:

ASN is likely to be the best combination of fast/cheap, but depending on your local job market may limit employment options (at least initially, it is pretty easy to get into an ASN-BSN bridge program). It is also unlikely to qualify for federal financial aid (which usually only applies to degrees higher than any previously held). There does tend to be a little bit more acceptance for students holding jobs and continuing to work during the program.

BSN will not require you to repeat a full 4 years of school. It's likely most of your general reqs will transfer and you will just be taking nursing course work which will take about 2 years including summer break. There is more option for student internships or working alongside, and you graduate with the employability of a BSN. Cost can be an issue as there may be limited to no financial aid for a second BSN and BSNs are typically more expensive than an ASN. It can also be hard to get seats in traditional BSN programs as a post-bacc student as transfer seats may be very limited.

ABSN same BSN degree but accelerated for those who already have a degree in another subject. Pros are that this route is fast, and you'll likely be in a class of high achieving adult learners with lots of real world work experience which can make for an interesting learning environment. Cons: it's learning though a firehose and frequently the programs are just as if not more expensive than a regular BSN.

DEMSN, may not actually save much time off of doing an BSN program (depends on how the curriculum is laid out, some are essentially ABSN programs that charge graduate tuition), costs more than other options (but likely has increased financial aid available) and can be an option If you have a solid health care background and are gun-ho about becoming a ARNP (but only if you chose a program leading to this license). Some programs also have poor reputations with hiring managers for churning out book-smart students who aren't as good with hands-on skills. Also there is no additional pay or prestige for having an MSN with out working RN experience, so you're essentially still a new-grad BSN in most practical applications.

2) I used my local community college to fulfill pre-reqs via a combination of in-person and online coursework and courses there transferred to all regional public schools with out issue.

3) I don't think it is wrong to want to change careers, but I do think it pays to really research the career you are getting into (you don't want to find yourself 5 years out of this new degree wanting to change careers yet again). Volunteering and working in hospital and health care settings are a great way to see more of the health care world. If you can chat up anyone you know who works in health care or set up informal interviews with nurses about their work that can be useful as well. It can also help to not rush through your pre-reqs, particularly if you don't have math or science background. Try the classes out and see how they go and how you like them.

bitter_betsy, BSN · Jul 19, 2018

It will take you approximately 5 years depending on the school(s) you are shooting for. You can't take A&P2 until you complete A&P1 so it will take you a minimum of 1 year. Additionally, some classes may only be offered during certain semesters (ie A&P1 in the fall and A&P2 in the spring) or if you need night classes - the available slots may fill quickly and leave you out for a semester.

I already had a BS degree but only 1 of my science courses transferred. I've been able to take all my pre-reqs in 1 year - but I've also continued to work full time and go to school full time (over the summer I had to drop my hours at my "day job" to next to nothing because the summer semester was so fast and my classes were during the day).

When I started I had 5 school options available to me. Actually the ADN program would have taken me the longest so it got tossed out on principal. It was the cheapest but would have taken me almost 3 years because of additional pre-reqs. Through a weird course of events - I am left able to apply to only 1 school. Due to various pre-reqs required or not required, HESI exams, TEAS exams and in-state vs. out of state tuition (which although I am a border state and should qualify for in-state tuition, I don't actually qualify because I am being admitted as a post-bach instead of an undergrad and there is no way to change that). That particular ABSN also only starts in the fall and makes you sign a waiver that you won't work during the program.

Another program requires 3 additional pre-reqs and would take me 2 more semesters to get them because they won't allow them to be taken in the same semester.

So I'm left with 1 option and oddly its the shortest program at 16 months - an ABSN. The draw back to this one is that the application deadlines for both semesters is before October... if I miss it - I have to wait an entire year to apply again.

Take your time and begin pre-reqs at a community college (so save on $$). Figure out how to meet the requirements for as many schools as possible (ie if only 1 school requires a nutrition class, determine how likely it is that you want to apply to that school before taking that nutrition class) and instead focus on A&P, Micro, Human Growth & Development and probably statistics. You may even need a Chemistry course.

Its completely possible to do in under 5 years, and for those of us that already have a Bachelor degree - the ADN route isn't always the fastest - so be sure to check all opportunities. I used a whiteboard and make a check list of good and bad items. For me though - it eventually worked itself out and left me with a single option.

Good Luck!

Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 19, 2018

I'm just going to address the prerequisite part of your question. You need to start on those ASAP. Hopefully, you've taken some of your undergrad requirements at a community college for your first degree. If you did, I'd strongly suggest reapplying there as you might get your seniority back after attending a semester. Seniority is key when you're trying to get into any science and/or math classes as those always fill up fast. If you're low man on the totem pole, it may take a few semesters before you can even get into a science or math class. It's no joke!

I'd be a bit more concerned about your lack of math. A good majority of nursing programs require Statistics, at the very least. To take statistics, you have to take maybe 1-3 classes of algebra -- this varies by school. Hopefully you're good enough in math and can test out. Or perhaps you've taken statistics before? If so, check the recency requirements for any nursing program you're planning on applying to.