Fastest way to Nursing after my BS in Biology

monnelise · Oct 6, 2005

okay. so someone just told me that with a BSN, it's harder to do RN because i would be considered "over qualified" ..
is that right?

I've been dealing with your same issues of which pathway is best after you already have a Bachelors.

Where I used to live up in chico the main hospital primarily recruited the BSN graduates from Chico State even though we also had an ADN program at the local community college. It seemed there was more incentive for students to attain their BSN.

Where I live now we have a community college which supplies our hospital with their recent ADN graduates. In fact, one nurse complained to me that the majority of their nurses were ADNs. So you can see how it might depend a little bit on where you're living.

Just go all the way. Especially if you want to teach or specialize. For heaven's sake, there is a nurse shortage and we need good nurses.

good luck

2bnurse_it · Oct 7, 2005

so would it be better to have two bachelors then?? and a masters??

sunnyjohn · Oct 7, 2005

so would it be better to have two bachelors then?? and a masters??

If it is available in you area go with the direct-entry nursing Masters degree. Halfway through the program you take the NCLEX and become an RN and start of to work. Then you continue on and eventually graduate with a Masters degree in Nursing. Many of these programs will give you a choice of advanced practice nursing fields like ANP or NP or nursing education.

If that is not available go with the Accelerated BSN. You may be able to get through with a second Bachelor's degree in nursing and be an BSN-RN a year.

If you cannot get either of these programs go with and Associate's degree program, and ADN or ASN. These programs are excellent. Once you graduate you take the same NCLEX and if you pass become and RN.

If you like you can finish your BSN later once you start working.

You have many choices. what you decide to do will be based on personal choice and availability in your area,

2bnurse_it · Oct 11, 2005

So, if I do decide to take the direct RN-Master's program, I will take the boards after a year and if I pass, i can work as an RN correct? and continue to get my masters?

However, what if I decide to take a little break inbetween being an RN and getting a Masters? Will it be easy to get back into the program to finish my masters if I take a break?

Otherwise, would getting a BSN be easier to continue with a Master's if I take a break?

smile123 · Oct 11, 2005

So, if I do decide to take the direct RN-Master's program, I will take the boards after a year and if I pass, i can work as an RN correct? and continue to get my masters?
However, what if I decide to take a little break inbetween being an RN and getting a Masters? Will it be easy to get back into the program to finish my masters if I take a break?
Otherwise, would getting a BSN be easier to continue with a Master's if I take a break?

Hi Nurse_it,

Yes, you can work as a RN after you pass your NCLEX exam. Some people work while they are going to school for the master's portion. However, some new grad orientation programs don't like you to go to school while you are "learning the ropes" as a new grad on a new floor. Some new grad orientation programs last 6 to 12 to 22 weeks for the first year and the times are sometimes more fixed in nature so it would be difficult to schedule other classes.

As far as taking a little time off in between your RN and going on for the master's, it depends on the school. Some schools will let you defer for 1 to 2 years so you can work as a RN and earn some money. Others will not let you defer and want you to go straight through for the 3 years to get your masters (these are typically the ones that don't offer the BSN after the 1st year).

It is definitely easier to get a BSN, work for a year or two and then apply for the master's. The other thing is that after you work for 6 months at some hospitals, they will pay your tuition for your master's classes; you can work full time/part time and go to school part time. You should also know that some RNs say they are going back for a master's, but after they start working, they cannot even imagine going back to school; they enjoy the flexible hours and time off after doing 3-12 hour shifts for the week. You need to figure out what motivates you and the reason for going on for the master's.

You probably need to contact specific schools for the details. Good luck!

Smile123

suzanne4, RN · Oct 11, 2005

Not at all. When you are working as an RN, there is absolutely no difference between the degrees. The only thing that matters is that you have RN after your name. With a BS or BSN, you have more options open to you to advance your career later on, but as an entry RN, there is no diffrerence at all.

2bnurse_it · Oct 16, 2005

omg. i am still confused about what i want to do.

earn a BSN and a Masters... or straight in the RN-Master's program.

Is there any advantages over the other to help me decide? considering i already have a BS?

any opinions on what YOU would do?

decartes · Oct 17, 2005

One step at a time.

omg. i am still confused about what i want to do.
earn a BSN and a Masters... or straight in the RN-Master's program.
Is there any advantages over the other to help me decide? considering i already have a BS?
any opinions on what YOU would do?

kgrands · Oct 17, 2005

I can tell you what I am doing, but it's all about personal choice.

Right now, I'm finishing up my pre-reqs (have a BA) and I'm applying to Accelerated BSN programs. After I finish my BSN and get my RN license, I'll work and get my master's part-time hopefully with the hospital that I'm working for paying for it.

Good luck and don't stress.

selaz · Oct 17, 2005

Here's what I'm doing (I already have a BS as well). I am preparing myself to apply to ALL programs (ADN and BSN) in my areas. The ADN programs have long wait lists and the BSN programs are extremely competetive with high GPA's required. Because I already have a BS, I have most of my prereq's for the BSN..just need a few, so either program will take about the same amount of time. I am attending the program to which I get accepted. If I were you, I would attend the program that accepts you and allows you to finish the quickest...If it's a toss-up, I'd do the BSN --so you can get your Masters more quickly while you're working.

Myethpio · Nov 19, 2005

Here's what I ended up doing:

I took all the prereqs to get into both the RN programs and the entry MSN programs. I figured, if I didn't get into any entry Masters, my second option would be the RN-associate degree... plus every RN program had a year wait list minimum, after finish your prereqs, and I didn't want to sit around for a year...

In southern CA, there's a few entry Masters: Azusa Pacific, Western University in Pomona, CSULA, San Diego has one, and Loma Linda.

Accelerated BSN's lasting one full year, I found CSULA and Mt St Marys. I *believe* Azusa and Loma Linda have 3 year accelerated BSNs. These two 1-yr programs weren't an option for me because they required min. 3.0 GPA in my bachelors, which I didn't have long ago, and they didn't take into consideration grades afterwords if you didn't fulfill the 3.0.

I had the choice between Azusa and CSULA, and am now in the entry MSN at Azusa. It's 5 semesters FT, and you get your RN and are a nurse. If you stay full time, the full program in 3 years long total, and you can become a Nurse Practitioner or Certified Nurse Specialist. And there are specialties within both.

For the Master's portion, you can go FT or PT, but PT, obviously, takes longer but you can work in the meantime.

I absolutely love APU's program, and I'm glad I opted for theirs. I'm also really glad I went for the entry Masters... Hope that helps.