College and Accelerated BSNs

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Hello Everyone!

I'm currently a high school senior in California, and college is fast approaching for me. I've always been very interested in a career in nursing, and have thought long and hard about how I should pursue my goals. In the end, I think I've decided that rather than go directly into nursing as a 4 year BSN, I want to major in something that I am really interested in and do some study abroad, while taking science on the side. After finishing my college experience =), I want to go into an accelerated BSN program, so that I could also have a nursing degree. I've been accepted to UC Berekely, and this has always been somewhere I've wanted to go; however, I know that many accelerated programs have a lot of science prerequisites. I'm worried that because of the intense competition at Berkeley, my grades in my science classes might not be as high as I would like. Do these BSN programs take the difficulty of the undergraduate school into account? Am I better off attending another college that is less academically difficult? Berkeley is a great school, but I'm worried that my GPA might affect me negetively... Any thoughts or comments? THanks!

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Hello Everyone!

I'm currently a high school senior in California, and college is fast approaching for me. I've always been very interested in a career in nursing, and have thought long and hard about how I should pursue my goals. In the end, I think I've decided that rather than go directly into nursing as a 4 year BSN, I want to major in something that I am really interested in and do some study abroad, while taking science on the side. After finishing my college experience =), I want to go into an accelerated BSN program, so that I could also have a nursing degree. I've been accepted to UC Berekely, and this has always been somewhere I've wanted to go; however, I know that many accelerated programs have a lot of science prerequisites. I'm worried that because of the intense competition at Berkeley, my grades in my science classes might not be as high as I would like. Do these BSN programs take the difficulty of the undergraduate school into account? Am I better off attending another college that is less academically difficult? Berkeley is a great school, but I'm worried that my GPA might affect me negetively... Any thoughts or comments? THanks!

Why don't you get a minor in a separate area or just a double major.....to go to school for something "that you like" then want to get a nursing degree makes no sense to me. If you really don't like nursing, why are you even considering it? Is it just for the paycheck? If so, think again.

I suggest that you try a variety of things and see what you like the best. This is something that you will be doing for the rest of your life.........not for just a few years, at least hopefully after spending all of the money on schooling.

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I didnt mean that I didn't like nursing... I've worked before in a hospital internship, and I really like what I see in the field of nursing. However, the school that I hope to attend doesn't offer nursing. I have a lot of other interests also, so yes, I definately plan on exploring, and I want to choose my major based on these interests. At the same time, I am geared towards becoming a nurse, and want to complete pre-requisites for a BSN. (Sort of like how pre-med students may major in anything they like, but are also focused towards medical school and science) I want to give myself some time for traveling and learning new things, before I get started in nursing. I definately agree that its an important decision, and that's partly the reason why I want to take this route.

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Crieghton is located in Omaha and was the best education and supportive atmoshpere I could have asked for.

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I imagine nursing schools take the difficulty of prior education into account when determing how qualified students are for nursing based on GPA, I would suggest thinking about where you might like to go to nursing school eventually and contact the admissions people there and ask how they judge GPA's based on prior universities, then you will know for sure.

You may also want to figure out where you would like to go to nursing school now becuase you will need to know exactly what pre-reqs are required in advance and which credits will transfer. Nursing schools require all sorts of different pre-reqs, so you just need to be sure you are on the right track for your end goal.

Since your interested in travel, have you considered travel nursing or the Peace Corps. Several nursing programs offer good tuition deals for Peace Corps volunteers.

Good luck, congrats on getting into Berkley, that is quite an accomplishment!

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I didnt mean that I didn't like nursing... I've worked before in a hospital internship, and I really like what I see in the field of nursing. However, the school that I hope to attend doesn't offer nursing. I have a lot of other interests also, so yes, I definately plan on exploring, and I want to choose my major based on these interests. At the same time, I am geared towards becoming a nurse, and want to complete pre-requisites for a BSN. (Sort of like how pre-med students may major in anything they like, but are also focused towards medical school and science) I want to give myself some time for traveling and learning new things, before I get started in nursing. I definately agree that its an important decision, and that's partly the reason why I want to take this route.

It doesn't sounds as if you really want nursing. If you do, then I suggest that you pick a school that offers nursing as a major. Minor in something else.You can always travel. Once you have some experience, travel nursing is a wonderful way to see different places and be paid to do it!

Nursing isn't something you can "do on the side": at least starting out. Those of us who have years under our belt have the luxury to do it on the side if we are able to do this part time.

My suggestion is still to go to a good BSN program (NOT accelerated) and get a good base on which to build. You can do all the other thinkgs you want to do and still have a viable career with so many varied options.

If you have years on your hands then yes, travel.

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Hmm... I have heard of travel nursing and it does sound interesting. I know that there are oppourtunities to travel within the United States, but does anyone know if there are any chances for an American nurse to work in Europe? I never thought about becoming a Peace Corps volunteer before, but it does sound like something I would like to do after getting my degree. There really are a lot of options =)

As for the BSN, I was thinking about Cal State Long Beach's accellerated BSN. I will definately call and ask about admissions.

I know I might come off as unsure about nursing... but in truth, I've given it a lot of thought. But, I know I'm still young and inexperienced (and probably confused :chuckle ), and so I want to be 101% sure about a career before jumping into it. I'm glad I came upon this board, as it has given me a lot of insight and information on a career in nursing! :mad:

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I got a separate bachelor's degree and am now going on through an accelerated program. My advice is to go ahead and get the nursing degree first, if you are sure that is where you want to be, once you get that degree you have a skill you can always count on. If you want to go to more school, you will be able to, if you want to travel you will be able to do that and work. The opportunities once you get that RN are endless and invaluable. You don't want to get a Bachelors degree and get stuck for some reason not able to get into an accelerated program or unable to go back to school because of some unforseen circumstance and then be stuck.

I loved my course work in my first degree and know that it will help me, but if I had it to do over again I would have gotten the nursing degree first. I knew I wanted to do healthcare of some sort and nursing can include a little bit of many types of healthcare. My accelerated program really focused on the sciences and used those grades as an indicator for how you may do in the program, so those are important. It really helps to have a solid background in science for an accelerated program, there really isn't a lot of time to go back and review or relearn a lot of stuff.

Anyway good luck on your decision and remember that no matter what you decide it will all work out in the end. I know that from experience and many agonizing decisions about college, majors, and careers.

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I agree with the previous poster. If I were you I would go straight for the BSN. I will recieve my bachelors degree in August and then I am going back to school for my BSN. If you know nursing is what you want to do, don't worry about getting another bachelors degree. I kinda feel my bachelors degree will have been more trouble than it is worth. Sure the subject matter from my degree may help me a little in nursing school but not enough to spend the extra few years trying to earn it. If I had it to do over again I would have went for my BSN first thing, if I had I would be either finishing up grad school or working and making money by now.

On the other hand, if you want to explore all the possibilities available to you outside of nursing maybe a bachelors degree in another subject would actually be a good thing.

I hope all works out well!

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Something to think about - if you are paying for school on your own, or with loans, once you get your initial bachelor's degree, your financial aid options decline significantly!!!

I know I never thought much about the financial aspect of college when I was in high school... and even most of college! My parents just applied for financial aid on my behalf, and I was responsible for paying it back when I graduated. I never knew that most of that same aid wouldn't be available if I went back for a second degree.

If you are counting on financial aid as a means to get through school, I would definitely suggest getting your nursing degree the first time around. Lots of things can happen over four years, and you may not want to - or be able to - go right on to get a second degree.

If something happens to disrupt your plans to stay in school after you get your first degree, wouldn't it be nice to have a first degree that would provide you with a good job with decent pay that will help you face life's other challenges?

If getting a second major in another area is a high priority, remember that it's always something you can go back to, once you're set financially.

Good luck!

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Hello Everyone!

I'm currently a high school senior in California, and college is fast approaching for me. I've always been very interested in a career in nursing, and have thought long and hard about how I should pursue my goals. In the end, I think I've decided that rather than go directly into nursing as a 4 year BSN, I want to major in something that I am really interested in and do some study abroad, while taking science on the side. After finishing my college experience =), I want to go into an accelerated BSN program, so that I could also have a nursing degree./quote]

I think your plan is good: Get the best education you can while you can -- and especially at such affordable tuition. Berkeley is an excellent school. Having that on your resume -- no matter what you decide to do next -- will prove invaluable. Some opportunities only come along once in a lifetime.

It's OK not to be sure of what you want to do at your age. Now is the time to explore. You might study subjects at Berkeley that lead you down a career path you never considered. If not -- and you still want to pursue nursing -- you will always benefit from a superb baccalaureate education. It will enhance your life.

Good luck.

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