Confused with schooling path

[GregoryGeczi]

Hello all,

I am very confused about the path I should take on being a nurse. I currently go to Middlesex County College for the A.A.S RN program. However in my lovely state of New Jersey most places do not hire a RN. They require BSNs. I am wondering what is the route all of you took. Did you receive a bachelors degree in something else and then go to nursing school for your BSN. Did you major in Biology and take a BSN course?

If you were hired as a RN how did it go? Did they assist in receiving your BSN?

Thank you guys :)

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

First, let's clarify some terminology. ADN, BSN, MSN, and all other degrees are degrees. All of them can take NCLEX and become licensed as RNs. So, those facilities that only hire BSNs are hiring RNs; they are merely specifying a required type of degree. It's the licensure, not the degree, that makes one an RN.

There are multiple pathways to a BSN- complete a diploma program or ADN to gain a degree granting access to licensure and then complete an RN-to-BSN program. There are also pre-licensure BSN programs where that is the first degree granted.

There is no need to complete another bachelors degree prior to completing a BSN. There are programs geared towards people looking to make a career change who do already have a bachelors degree. However, you can attend a BSN program directly out of high school- I did.

[verene, MSN]

There are several possible pathways you can take:

1)Apply directly to a 4 year institution and get a BSN.

2) Take pre-reqs up to 90 credits and/or get an general or pre-healthcare AA/AS degree from a community college and transfer to a 4 year school for BSN.

3) Go to a community college and recieve an ASN. Then complete an online or in-person RN to BSN bridge.

4) Go to community college and recieve an ASN and work as an RN accepting that many doors may be closed in terms of jobs.

5) For students with a prior bachelors degree in something else only -- going back to school and complete an ASN, BSN, ABSN, or direct-entry MSN program.

All of these pathways are possible and lead to liscensure as a registered nurse, and the reasons to chose one over the other depend on your background and goals, financial abilities, time frame, and where you live and are able to apply.

As for me, I have a prior bachelors degree in another field, my hope is to either get accepted to an ABSN or direct entry MSN program as I would like to work as an NP for my career, and those would get me along that path further. That being said I am also applying to BSN and ASN programs to give myself options for schooling.