Change of career from Bs in Computers to BSN

[nursnovice]

Hello,

I earned a BS in computer Informations systems and have worked over the years achieving experiences. With life changes and all, i got married and have three beautiful kids. Since then, i have become a stay home mom for some time now. I am at the stage where i want to do something else to prepare myself for when the kids are gone.

While at home, i decided that nursing was the way to go for me due to the lucrative discipline it provides and while in college attainig my BS, i was a nurses aid....which i truly enjoyed helping and working with patients. I have taken classes to get all the prerequists that i need. Now i am waiting to see if i get accepted.

My dilemma here is that am not sure if i should go for a BSN in nursing, Masters in N., ADN or RN? I need advise as to what to do. If i were to go for the RN in a community college, it will be cheaper it seems and yet the hiring for RN is not as needed compared to BSN holders. It also seems that to have an RN degree, i would have some experiences after graduating which will lead to applying for a masters in nursing as in their applications, they ask for a couple of yrs of experiences. As for the accelerated prgms, i cannot do that as i have very young children (I know it takes less time, but i would really like to pass the prgm w/o being rushed.

Please help me to talk this over so that i can make a wise and beneficial decision for my family and i. Thks!:)

[JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN]

I think you need to do what makes sense for you at this stage of your life. Both the ADN and BSN programs are pretty time consuming in terms on class time, skills time (both training and showing each skill you've mastered), clinical time and test preparation time. I was a full time mom until my youngest started k-garten. That's when I started back to school. An ADN program made since for me because the community college is about a mile away and the nearest university offering a BSN is 50 minutes away with clinicals about the same distance. Easy to make a choice for me. If you have a BSN program close to home, that would be the best if you want to work in a hospital since many are beginning to require a BSN. My plan is to get my ADN in June of next year, pray I get a job, then go into a RN to BSN program that is online.

[iPink, BSN, RN]

Hey:

I want to clarify with you that one becomes an "RN" when they've passed the NCLEX exam, giving them the authority to practice nursing. ADN, BSN, MSN, and DNP are degree programs that prepared their student to sit for the NCLEX. Graduating from anyone of these programs will not make me a RN.

Now that is cleared up...

I have my B.A in IT. About 5 years later, I have gone back to school to pursue nursing. I chose the Accelerated BSN program because I realized (in my area) that due to this economy, hospitals and other healthcare facilities that are hiring new grads are hiring BSNs over ADNs. Since this type of program is not appealing to you, you can certainly go the ADN route, then bridge over to an RN-MSN, skipping the BSN. You may find schools in your area that offer this route (in my area there are a couple of schools that offer this program).

Maybe a part-time BSN program is appealing to you? My ABSN program has just opened their application for a part-time route, which last 30 consecutive months, with night and weekend classes.

Your family and finances are definitely going to be your deciding factors. Good luck on finding out your acceptance.

[nursnovice]

Thank you so much for replying. It's so appreciated. You are right, finances and family are definitely the deciding factors indeed! Where/what state is this ABSN part time program you are in? It seems that it will take about 2 and a half years to complete. That is very good i will say. Compared to 2 yrs for an RN then another 14 months for an accelerated prgm for a BSN. I will prefer to complete it all in one sitting. It sounds like if i do the first, i will get a better chance of experience rather than jumping into a masters prgm. To do a masters prgm do you have to have your NCLEX done? If so, after one completes the masters prgm, do they then take the NCLEX? How does this work? I guess i have to do a lot of school researching. The problem around my area is similar to yours cos. The RN prgm is just about a mile from my residence as oppossed to the other schools that are about 40 miles or more from home. Go figure my dillemma. Thanks again.

[iPink, BSN, RN]

The school is located in NJ and they only accept applications once per year (which is Summer). Don't know what part of the country you live.

Those RN-MSN or RN-BSN bridges requires you to be an "RN", meaning you have passed the NCLEX. But if you are an ADN who wants a BSN without the 1 year bridge option, then you don't have to take the NCLEX. It will be like any other Associates program in which you then apply to a university to complete your 4-year degree, which in this case would be the BSN. There are people who have gone all the way to getting their MSN without working a day as an RN. There is a big debate regarding if that's a good idea or not. Whatever degree you decide to get and want to work as an RN, you need to pass the NCLEX.