Nursing school decision in NJ please help!!!

[Alyssa0723]

I currently have a B.A degree but I am not sure if I should go to nursing school or enroll in an accelerated BSN program. I have a young child and I would like to be in a program that allows me to still spend time with her. Are there any schools in NJ that you may be able to suggest...I still have pre-reqs to complete...some people tell me to go to nursing schools others tell me its best i get a BSN. Also i heard that UMDNJ has a program for individuals who already have a BA in another field but that went to nursing school..MSN transition program which is good since i wont have to complete a BSN...What do you think?

[Bill E. Rubin]

It would be impossible for me to judge what you should do in your situation. Going to the Accelerated BSN program will open more doors to you than an ASN would (here in Boston, the major hospitals generally won't hire you with an ASN unless you have experience on top of it -- I don't know what the situation is in NJ; and, having already a BA degree, you could complete both in about the same time (for me, it was a semester shorter for the Accel BSN). However, the Accelerated programs tend to be more intensive; it would help in either case if you had adequate family support during nursing school, though people can get through just about anything with enough determination.

[Ataturk35]

I double majored in Human Res. and Business and was not satisfied so I started to look for accel. nursing programs. It was a 15 month intense program but it was worth it. I now have my BSN and passed my boards. I am working on a Med/Surg unit. It is a very challenging floor but I still think it was a great decision to go get my BSN. Just my opinion.

[ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN]

Depending on what area you wanted to concentrate on for your MSN the BSN may still be required, some can bridge straight from RN-MSN but CRNA requires a BSN even if you already have a BA, gather the list of pre-req's for all programs in your area and apply to more than one to increase you acceptance chances, altho I've heard sometimes that accelerated BSN's are easier to get into since the bulk of course work is completed with your prior BA