Finish my degree or quit and do nursing

[ChristinaVL]

I am 33 years old and a little over a year away from graduating in psychology with a BA. I have always wanted to be a nurse, and yet I chose the easy way out because I have always been petrified of nursing school while having 2 kids and working. I am ready to bite the bullet BUT I am so torn on finishing my current degree or changing my major and starting the prerequisites. I have nutrition, micro, chem, anatomy and physio that I need to finish before I can apply to a BSN program.

I am feeling discouraged because it has taken me 8 years.... yes 8... to get my bachelors degree lol So do I quit or stay in the program and then do my prerequisites?! Will a BA in psychology benefit me in anyway? I feel as if I am committed and invested in this degree, however, I also do not want to waste my time!

[rnhopeful82, ASN, RN]

Do you like the idea of psych? If so, having a degree in psych and then a degree in nursing could get you into psych nursing. That's what a few of my friends did/are doing. If you get your degree in psych you can look into ABSN program with a degree under your belt. I'm not usually a fan of throwing money away, but one year left for a degree that can help you down the line doesn't seem like a bad idea. Good luck!

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I am going to disagree with rnhopeful because you can become a psych RN without throwing away a year's worth of tuition and your precious time and effort on a frankly generic degree. My advice would be to start those prerequisites NOW, do well in them, and while you are doing that- start looking for schools.

[MotoMonkey, BSN, RN]

My advice is to finish what you have started as I think it will open more doors for you. I would certainly look into both traditional BSN programs as well as accelerated programs, seeing as how you will have a previous bachelors degree. Since you still have over a year before you finish your current degree, I would try to incorporate some prerequisites into your schedule each of the next terms. That way when you start your prerequisites fully you will already be a bit ahead.

While I do encourage you to finish your current degree, I do not know your financial situation. I would make sure to look into how completing your degree may effect your potential financial aid in the future.

[MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN]

My thoughts are that you probably have a year (maybe two) worth of pre-reqs to do still. You could go another year, get your BA in psych, but then have to do another year or two getting those pre-reqs done anyway. So if you finish your degree, you'll add another year or two of school to get those pre-reqs. How motivated are you to get nursing school done? How soon do you want to be a nurse? Personally, I'd say just get started on your pre-reqs and do good in them. The longer you put them off, the longer it will be until you can sit for NCLEX and be a nurse.

Playing the other side, some schools actually give slightly higher ranking/preference to students who have a previous degree. But, not all schools. Look to see if the schools you are interested in do this if that is what will motivate you. My school gave me higher ranking (based on a points system) because I had a prior BS.

Also, you could potentially do an accelerated program, but those programs are intense and can be a bear, for someone who is about the same age as you, with kids myself, I'd recommend you think long and hard before entering an accelerated nursing program. You likely could do it, but how many other responsibilities and obligations do you need to address on a daily/weekly basis? My home life demands much from me and I would have fizzled in an accelerated program, but there are others who would excel, you'd have to figure out which you are prior to going that path.

[rnhopeful82, ASN, RN]

I am going to disagree with rnhopeful because you can become a psych RN without throwing away a year's worth of tuition and your precious time and effort on a frankly generic degree. My advice would be to start those prerequisites NOW, do well in them, and while you are doing that- start looking for schools.

While I understand that, I do not think having a background in psych would hurt if that's what he/she wanted to do. I also don't think having a prior degree will hurt. I have one and if I did not need to work full-time days, I would have jumped at the chance to do the ABSN and get my nursing done with a BSN at the end in about the same time it is taking me to do the ASN route. My school also gave me more points than someone without a degree in the points system to get in. 3 points actually which, for someone with lesser overall points, could make or break them. I do like the idea of sticking some pre-reqs into the last year, I remember I had a lot of open electives that year.

[Neats, BSN]

There are schools out there that are known as accelerated BSN schools. You have to have the pre-reqs but can obtain your BSN within 18 months once you have those pre-req out of the way. Keep in mind that the schools require a high GPA but I think your background would serve you well in whatever nursing role you choose. This forum under the schools tab can point you in the right direction. Stay in school get your BS and then get our BSN. I have seen many students with young children bite the bullet so to speak and go this route. It is intense but worth the time after you complete and are a nurse. Good Luck.

[blr3, BSN, RN]

I am finishing my Bachelor's in December and start my accelerated nursing program in January. Personally, I'd finish what you started. Can you squeeze in prereqs while you finish your degree?

[Neo Soldier, BSN, RN]

you can become a psych RN without throwing away a year's worth of tuition and your precious time and effort on a frankly generic degree.

Nicely put. Don't waste money on a degree that you don't intend on using. Go to a counselor and find out what classes you need in order to get into the nursing programs in your area. Different programs require different things so go to their nursing website and check their requirements. Also, EQUIVALENCY charts are important so you can find out what transfers. If you google the name of a school and type "course catalog" after the school, you'll find a description of their classes. This way, you don't take classes that don't transfer or you don't need.

Consider community college if you want to save some money on classes.

[VampyrSlayer, CNA]

ABSN :)

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

I have to chime in - finishing your degree will open more doors for you when you look for a nursing school, both with Accelerated BSNs and Direct-Entry Masters programs.

[Orion81RN]

Do you think it would be feasible to take some pre-reqs at a community college while you finish your degree? Then do an Accelerated BSN?