Did anyone enter a nursing school with a BS?

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Sep 6, 2013

Yes... and several other degrees as well.

Went the ADN route. Nearly all pre-reqs were satisfied from prior coursework. Was scooted right into the program.

Loved the ADN coursework, professors and the experience. As a result, worked my butt off... but enjoyed nearly all of it.

Graduated cum laude.

Good luck to you!

IMO, previous education and life experiences are a huge advantage.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Sep 6, 2013

Recommend that you contact programs in which you are interested & ask them for guidance. They can help you evaluate your own unique situation and arrive at a decision that is right for you. There are a few factors that will be important. GPA is a deciding factor for most programs; due to increased competition, you may need > 3.5 to make the cut. Each school can put its own spin on pre-requisites so you'll need for them to review everything. Finances are a big consideration. Accelerated programs are very intense and may not be compatible with working while you are in the program - they are also much more expensive than generic programs. Generally, reasonably priced (traditional) programs are the most competitive while investor-owned (commercial) programs are easier to get into, but the cost is prohibitive.

Best of luck to you.

dseem13 · Sep 6, 2013

I had a BS in biology & psychology. I thought I wanted to go to med school, but after job shadowing realized nurses spend much more time with patients in the hospital setting. I didn't decide what I wanted to do until end of Nov-beginning of Dec senior year, so I was more limited to what nursing program choices I had. I wanted an accelerated program semi close to my home town. I graduated from an accelerated program from a well known PRIVATE (ie expensive) college. If I could do it over again I would still choose the accelerated route (I wasn't planning on working during the time nor do I have children), but I would pick a public university to decrease the amount of student loans. Could you ask your academic advisor (my first university gave all students one to help them plan their classes, future, etc) if there is a certain program he/she recommends/has heard good things about? Good luck whatever path you choose!

msambitious2202 · Sep 8, 2013

Thanks for responding !

CrazyGoonRN · Sep 8, 2013

Yes. I got a BA a couple years later applied to a BSN program and didn't get in so I became an LPN and again applied to a different BSN program and was accepted. I will graduate in december with my BSN. I know someone in my class who has a BS in Biology and couldn't find work so when back to school a year later and went through the traditional BSN program.

When I decided to become an RN (post LPN school) I looked into several routes. Accelerated BSN was very appealing but in my area only one school (a private one) offered the program. It was very expensive and I would have to complete some additional pre-reqs that I would not have to complete for other programs in the area. I applied to a ADN program (the LPN-RN track but it also had traditional as a choice). I was chosen as an alternate and ended up not getting in. I then applied to a LPN-BSN program that was incorporated into a traditional program and I got in. I really wanted to be an RN and I decided that I would apply to every public university or cc in the area until I got in since the programs are so competitive.

Some traditional BSN programs will give you preference when applying if you already have a bachelors degree and some will not. That may be something you can look into.

Good luck on whatever you decide! :-)

WoundedBird · Sep 8, 2013

Since I'm in a grad entry masters program, all of us already have a bachelors. I have a BS in athletic training / sports medicine and worked in the field for 5 years before getting into nursing school. There's a bunch of people in my program who completed their BS in May and started our program in June. Some were people who didn't have the GPA the BSN program averaged (3.7) and some just changed their path/minds towards the end of undergrad.

happyinillinois · Sep 8, 2013

Yes, about 40% did in my program.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Sep 10, 2013

I went the ADN route (due to time constraints; had to work full time while attending school). I had a BA in psychology when I started.

noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP · Sep 10, 2013

Yeppers. Had a BS in Nutrition. Got an ADN for $5,000. Now, I'm getting my BSN for $3,000.

The Accelerated BSN programs in my area cost around $40,000 and the Direct Entry Masters programs cost around $60,000. No gracias. Too much monies for me.