Finally found my dream, but...

[breezy7, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone,

I am currently a 22-year-old student at Georgia State University. My final semester of my BA in anthropology will be next semester, and I will be graduating in December. My focus is medical anthropology, and I recently realized that my unspoken passion was nursing, which is something I had been afraid to pursue prior to this.

I have completed both the English and math pre-reqs necessary for nursing school, but unfortunately selected Astronomy as my lab science req before realizing what I wanted to pursue as a career. Following my graduating in December, how should I go about achieving this dream? Should I reapply to GSU for another degree and take all of the science pre-reqs, or is there a better way to go about this? I can't seem to find a clear path that would allow me to start this career.

Thank you so much for your help,

Steph

[Highschoolfuturenurs]

You could always do the GSU accelerated program. It requires way more pre-reqs but the program lasts about a year and a 1/2 with no breaks. I've heard that GSU's program is AMAZING.

Or you could do traditional where the only pre-reqs you have left to take would be A&P 1 and 2, Chem1&2 and Microbiology. Either way is good.

[breezy7, BSN, RN]

Do you know how taking the traditional program would work? I already have pretty much all of the core classes, so would they transfer from my other degree? And, in that case, am I reapplying to GSU as a nursing major? If so, I feel like I could finish in 3 years even without doing the accelerated program. This process is just so confusing for someone returning, but everything about this feels so right. Thanks for your help and quick reply! :)

[Highschoolfuturenurs]

Well if you do Traditional then your schedule will look like this, EXCEPT it will only be nursing classes since you're done with all your general core classes.

http://chhs.gsu.edu/nursing/falltraditionalplan1.htm

You would have to reapply to GSU as a "degree seeking undergraduate" and then apply to the program. When you apply into the program they only look at your pre-requisite grades I believe. Both programs are EXTREMELY competitive so your pre-requisite grades have to be stellar and your TEAS score has to be high too.

[breezy7, BSN, RN]

Sorry, by pre-reqs I meant all the general core classes required for an undergraduate degree. Out of those, I only have ENGL Comp 1 & 2 and Math Modeling, the latter of which I intend to retake. I still need all of the science credits.

[Highschoolfuturenurs]

Well if you start taking your science pre-reqs this fall then you can apply in march for the fall 2012 traditional program.

[leenak]

If you can afford it, I'd continue on at GSU - ie don't graduate. Take the pre-reqs there then apply for a BSN program. Otherwise graduate and take your pre-reqs at a community college. You could also probably take classes at GSU as a non student. Your best bet is probably to make an appointment with a college counselor and they can help guide you.

[breezy7, BSN, RN]

I figured it would be just as expensive as graduating from GSU then reapplying as a transfer student. Am I wrong in that? I've already fulfilled my Anthropology degree and am 3 classes away from graduating, so I think this choice makes the most sense, especially since I'll still have in-state tuition even if I reapply. I've used up my whole HOPE scholarship as is (I've already taken the 120 hours), so is it really more expensive to start a new degree?

Thanks so much for your help, guys! You're making this decision far less stressful and even more exciting (which I hadn't thought possible!) I'll definite meet with an advisor as well, thanks!

[Highschoolfuturenurs]

I'm pretty sure that community college is much cheaper than georgia state. You could always take your pre reqs in a cheaper place and then transfer.

[iPink, BSN, RN]

Just something for you to think about, but if you decide to graduate, federal grants won't be available to you because you have obtained a bachelors.

If you do decide to graduate and then go on to an accelerated BSN program, do a search for the ones that require less prerequisites and a bit cheaper than your current school.

[breezy7, BSN, RN]

Just something for you to think about, but if you decide to graduate, federal grants won't be available to you because you have obtained a bachelors.

If you do decide to graduate and then go on to an accelerated BSN program, do a search for the ones that require less prerequisites and a bit cheaper than your current school.

Thank you SO MUCH for this. I had absolutely no idea. I just sent an email to my advisor to see if it's possible to postpone graduating and instead continue toward a double major. Again, thank you! My graduation application was just approved, but hopefully I'll be able to continue on instead.

[AprilAnney]

Yes, I was going to comment on not being able to get federal aid once you have a bachelor's. I would try to continue as a double major. Or leave those last few anthropology classes hanging, head to a community college and get your ADN (pay scale difference for ADN vs. BSN is minimal), then finish up your anthropology degree if you wish after that. If you're utilizing federal grants/loans, avoiding the bachelor's degree will help you out in the short term money-wise. Best of luck!