Complicated situation, but desperate to get started with nursing

[kayd04]

Hi everyone,

I am new here, so not quite sure how to navigate around this that well yet, so bear with me. I just graduated this spring with my Bachelors in Psychology. I do not really have a desire to seek out a psych job, or continue to get my masters with it, because I am very interested in nursing. I had switched my major to nursing my junior year of college, and got one semester into it, when I found out I was pregnant. It was too hard for me to continue with nursing while pregnant at the time, and I was so close to graduating with psych, that I decided to continue my classes through the school's online program with psychology. So now I have my degree at least, and it feels good, but I still really want to pursue nursing! Even the one semester I did have was enough for me to realize that it is indeed my passion. Since I had transfered into that major though, I didn't have the pre-reqs done, and they were allowing me to take them as I went along. Also, I only passed my nursing fundamentals class with a C, due to my stressful situation at the time.

So basically, I want to get started in any way I can. I don't know if it is best to take my pre-reqs at a community college, and then try to apply somewhere? I know they have those direct entry programs where you enter with a bachelors in something other than nursing. I don't know. I really need some advice as to where to start the process, if anyone can help at all, I would really appreciate it. I live in NH, close to UNH, Great Bay Community College, etc. But I am willing to move locations if I had to, in order to pursue this career.

[LifeIsGood76]

Hi and welcome! I think your first step is to research the schools around you and see what nursing programs they have. That will give you an idea as to what prerequisites you might need. Is it possible for you to get back into the nursing program you were in before? You could also see if any schools near you have an entry level MSN program. Those programs allow you to start working on your masters in nursing even if you have a bachelors degree in another field. Good luck!

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

Plus, lucky you, you won't have to take the TEAS if you have a bachelor's already.

[smoup]

Plus, lucky you, you won't have to take the TEAS if you have a bachelor's already.

Not necessarily true. Some colleges require EVERYONE take it

[Serendipity27]

Hello,

Unfortuatly, you will not be able to enter in a MSN program since you do not have a BSN.

I know this because I used to work at a college for 8 years... I had TR from my college so I did not have to pay for my education (I know, lucky me. haha) However, it was a business school and didn't have a nursing program to become and RN... they only had a RN to BSN or BSN to MSN. I have my masters degree and am now going to be starting prereqs to go back to school for nursing... I will be working on my ASN.

Accelerated nursing BSN programs do exsist for people who already have an undergrad in another field. I have considered this and would lovvve to do this because they are only a year in length, however, they are very expensive and you cannot work at all. (I need to work to support my household.)

[meeep, BSN, RN]

There are some schools that offer combined accelerated BSN/MSN for people who already have a bachelor, but you still have to complete the prereqs required if you did not take them during your undergrad, such as A&P 1 & 2, Microbiology, 2 semesters of Chemistry, Developmental Psych, and Statistics. Your best bet is to see what each school requires, and take any outstanding prereqs at a community college.