Confused about how to proceed

joel.benavidez · Aug 13, 2008

Yea, I'd like to know about that myself. I'm almost done with my Pre-Reqs at San Antonio College for my ADN. My counseling department tells me that all those credits will cross over to University of Texas Health Science Center for my BSN and that it will only take 2 years, but then, I've heard rumors of UTHSC not taking certain credits for random reasons like your course grade wasnt high enough or you needed to take another class for that one to count, blah blah.

I think depending on your school(s), it really depends on the nitty-gritty details. The best people to talk to im sure would be your current and receiving Advisors.

But, yea, I need to get a handle on that too.

mommy2three2 · Aug 13, 2008

I was in the same boat as you, I already have my Bachelor's in another field and was now looking at going into nursing. What I did was research all the schools in my area that offered a BSN, ABSN or DE-MSN and laid them all out on a spreadsheet with application requirements/deadlines/cost etc. In the end, I was going to go with the DE-MSN programs or the ABSN program. The length of these varied from 1 yr (ABSN) to 2 yrs. I applied to the only DE-MSN program that the deadline had not yet passed for and by the grace of God I got in.

In talking withe the programs in the area, I found that with the exception of the ABSN program, I was looking at 2 yrs even for my BSN. If I were you, I would look into ABSN programs as well as DE-MSN programs in your area.

Best wishes.

RhodyGirl, RN · Aug 13, 2008

With second bach BSN programs, it will almost always take you longer than 2 years. The two years usually does not include prerequisites such as the Anatomy, Physio, Chems, Psychs, etc etc....

Try speaking to a counselor at the schools of your interest, they can lay out an exact plan for you!

And, don't forget, that two year timeframe also doesn't take into consideration that many students are not accepted into the program on the first application.

GOOD LUCK!

benegesserit · Aug 13, 2008

I am considering enrolling in a two-year RN course but now I'm told that with a bachelors degree, even one not in health sciences, I could get a BSN in two years instead of an ADN. Is this true?

It depends largely on which prerequisites you have completed, if any.

Around my parts, they have an accelerated BSN program for people who already have an undergrad degree. The nursing content is one year, and the typical college grad (who has already had all the English, Math, and general ed requirements taken care of) could potentially get through the prerequisites in one year, especially if they had classes like Statistics and Organic Chemistry as part of their previous degree.

In the non-accelerated BSN programs, the nursing content takes from 2-3 years, depending on the program.

The schools with true 4 year nursing programs generally include the prerequisites as part of the program. Those programs are probably not going to be paced in a way that works well for someone who already has a degree, because the nursing content is spread out more lightly across the 4 years with the expectation that you'll be taking a bunch of other non-nursing degree requirements at the same time.

ADN programs are, in general, going to have most of the same science prerequisites as BSN programs, and there may end up not being more than a semester's worth of difference, if that, in the time the programs take (including prerequisites). Some ADN programs do include the prerequisites as part of the 2 year program, rather than a separate step.

So basically, you were correctly informed... for some programs.

I hope that helped! I'm afraid I just made it all more complicated and confusing :)

Miwila · Aug 14, 2008

It depends largely on which prerequisites you have completed, if any.
Around my parts, they have an accelerated BSN program for people who already have an undergrad degree. The nursing content is one year, and the typical college grad (who has already had all the English, Math, and general ed requirements taken care of) could potentially get through the prerequisites in one year, especially if they had classes like Statistics and Organic Chemistry as part of their previous degree.
In the non-accelerated BSN programs, the nursing content takes from 2-3 years, depending on the program.
The schools with true 4 year nursing programs generally include the prerequisites as part of the program. Those programs are probably not going to be paced in a way that works well for someone who already has a degree, because the nursing content is spread out more lightly across the 4 years with the expectation that you'll be taking a bunch of other non-nursing degree requirements at the same time.
ADN programs are, in general, going to have most of the same science prerequisites as BSN programs, and there may end up not being more than a semester's worth of difference, if that, in the time the programs take (including prerequisites). Some ADN programs do include the prerequisites as part of the 2 year program, rather than a separate step.
So basically, you were correctly informed... for some programs.
I hope that helped! I'm afraid I just made it all more complicated and confusing :)

No actually your post and all the others are giving me all the information I need to know while I try to fiigure out what I want to do. Thanks.

hg09 · Aug 14, 2008

I will be starting an accelerated bachelor (2nd degree) program this Fall - I had to take the prerequisites during undergraduate because they weren't part of my Bachelor of Art degree (20+ credit hours a semester = ouch). I just graduated in May and will be starting nursing school later this month. It is a 1 year program that awards a BSN.

AtomicWoman · Aug 14, 2008

Yes, you can get your BSN in two years, because BSN programs designed for 2nd-degree people concentrate on the nursing courses (generally speaking). You've already got all the other courses out of the way, the assumption goes. Of course, as others have pointed out, this only happens if you've gotten all your science prereqs done as part of your original bachelor's! Otherwise, you'll have to spend some time doing those courses. But you know what? A lot of ADN programs are the same way. They make you do a bunch of other prereqs before you can start your actual 2-year nursing sequence. So if you can swing it financially, the BSN makes sense in your situation.

The only way to know for sure is to research all the programs in your area, what their requirements are, what entrance exam they require, how long the program is, what courses you'll need to have completed before applying, cost of tuition, etc. Like another poster said, put it all in a spreadsheet. That will make your decision process a lot more logic-based.

Good luck!

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Aug 14, 2008

Being from the same state, I was looking at many of the same programs as mommy2three2. When it comes to looking at ABSN programs, each has to be considered on its own. Most take only 12-18 months, but you have to look into the details to be sure. For example, Lewis University claims to be an accelerated BSN but is really a weekend/evening program that takes 20 mos on top of a mandatory semester beforehand where you take some prereqs specific to the university. ISU has an ABSN program, but it's "experimental" and thus you are unable to get financial aid through the school. DePaul's Master's Entry to Nursing Program, which I start in January, doesn't have as many prereqs as most places, but that's 'cos you take many of the usual prereq courses there and pay graduate tuition to take them.

In other words, do your homework first.

Also, from what I've read the current nursing shortage isn't a shortage of ADNs but of BSNs, so if you can stay in school an extra semester or so and get the higher degree, go for it.

dallet6 · Aug 14, 2008

Interesting. From what I've read the nursing shortage is more a shortage of "experienced nurses" not nurses with a bsn. Looking up all the job listings in my area I don't see any that require a bsn, but almost all are looking for 1-5 years experience.

Aurora77 · Aug 14, 2008

I have a non-nursing bachelor's degree, but basically ruled out the accelerated BSN. I found the school I want to attend, but they require so many pre-reqs, that I, as a history major, didn't take, that it would add almost a year of school, going full time, before I can apply to the program.

I've decided to do the ASN route from this same school. I've got one chem class this semester to do first, then I'll apply for NS to begin next fall. Since I do have many of the pre-reqs for that already done, I'll add in classes that will count towards my BSN down the road. I'm also thinking about taking a couple of classes next spring and summer from the community college where I'm doing my chem class that will count towards the BSN too.

I'm married, got a mortgage and need to work at least part of the time while I'm in school, so for us, it's going to work out better to become an RN and then complete my BSN while I'm working. I'm stretching out my classes, but limiting the amount of time I'm in school full time, so I can work. If I didn't have other commitments, or was coming straight out of my previous undergrad, I'd probably go the accelerated route.

AtomicWoman · Aug 15, 2008

One other thing to consider: if you are from a state that has a lottery system (like CA) for the associates/community college nursing programs, the ASN may initially look better for a bunch of reasons, but you may spend 2-3 years on the waiting list. I've heard people on this board bemoan the fact that they could have finished a BSN in the time it took them to do all their prerequisites, apply for the ASN program and wait to be picked via the lottery system. Again, just weigh all the factors and make the decision that makes the most sense for YOU.