i need some opinionated advice

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Jan 11, 2017

Two associates degrees do NOT equal a bachelors. A bachelors degree implies higher level coursework than an associates.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2017

I'm having a little bit of trouble following what you've currently accomplished and what your plan is. Let me see if I can clarify...

You've been taking classes at a community college and currently do not have a degree.

You are trying to decide whether you should: A. Pursue a Bachelors in Nursing. B. Pursue an Associates in Nursing. C. Pursue a Bachelors degree in Liberal Arts and then an accelerated BSN program. D. Pursue a Bachelors in Liberal Arts and then an Associates in Nursing.

Is this correct?

misspy · Jan 11, 2017

I graduate with my bachelors this year hopefully, is what i wrote that confusing? í ½í¸… I can work on my second associates or bachelors though.

misspy · Jan 11, 2017

I graduate with my bachelors this year hopefully, is what i wrote that confusing? ðŸ˜… I can work on my second associates or bachelors though because Id have both when the time comes that I finish precourses.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2017

So since you're almost finished with a bachelors degree, the quickest way to a nursing degree would be an accelerated bsn. It may also be the most expensive. But if the majority of your previous classes are liberal arts, you may need to take a lot of the math and science prerequisites before you could get into a traditional associates or bachelors of nursing program. If you already have a bachelors degree, it doesn't make sense to get and ADN, in my opinion.

compassionresearcher · Jan 11, 2017

I graduate with my bachelors this year hopefully, is what i wrote that confusing? ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ I can work on my second associates or bachelors though because Id have both when the time comes that I finish precourses.

I found your post confusing too.... That said, 20 years ago I did something similar to what you're describing. My original program was a BA in psychology, about 90 or so credits in I realized that career path wasn't right for me at the time/age/stage of life I was at. So I transferred to an ASN program at a different school (both were local colleges about 45 minutes from my home, one east and one west of me). There were times I was attending two different schools and working on both degrees part-time. But I couldn't see wasting the credits I'd earned toward the BA. So, in the end I graduated with the ASN in 95 and the BA in pscyh in 96 and then went on to a Master's in Nursing without any problems. I was able to transfer credits from each program to each other, so it worked out.

It all depends on what each school requires for pre-reqs and the cost of the programs etc.

My post is probably hard to follow too, lol.

Extra Pickles · Jan 11, 2017

Yes it really is that confusing. In fact, if I had turned in a paper during school that read as your post does I have no doubt it would be returned to me, ungraded, with a note "please rewrite, it is nearly incomprehensible". Maybe you're doing this on your phone with voice recognition software and aren't checking or correcting before you submit?

At any rate, finish the Bachelors degree. Find out the requirements of nursing programs you wish to attend, and see how closely matched you are, your completed coursework compared to their requirements for admission. You might still need science courses depending on what your finished degree looks like, but it's likely the most sensible route.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2017

Hello, so I've been a confused student for a while, I decided on nursing while attending community college for a while. Being that I had finished so many courses in the liberal major it seemed best I finished, that way id be aablee to transfer all my credits, since nursing schools are so picky. Based on the waiting list I was turnt off by the time it would take to graduate just with an associates so I did what I can and decided to just earn a bachelors and do accelerated or earn another associates and go straight to to my masters since id already have a bachelors.
I realize it seems like a longer path and possible expensive? to becoming a nurse but isn't it also kindve the same time since I could skip taking the bachelor course?
I also wanted to make my own money to pay for nursing school. I felt I had more of a backup career earning a bachelors and being able to get more opportunities to get more jobs so I could have more earning potential, but I don't know, what's allnurses opinion on the path I chose??
ï¿½ï¿½

You said you want opinionated advice.

Here it is. Even if you are typing on a phone your sentence structure and grammar (let alone spelling) is atrocious which makes your post difficult to impossible to understand. I am not sure what you mean by a back up career?

Here is my take: You have been going to a community college and have enough credits to obtain a bachelors degree in liberal arts. You feel that those credits will be easy to transfer to a nursing program. Here is where I get really confused...

Based on the waiting list I was turnt off by the time it would take to graduate just with an associates so I did what I can and decided to just earn a bachelors and do accelerated or earn another associates and go straight to to my masters since id already have a bachelors.

Two associate degrees does not equal a bachelors degree. If you have a pre existing Bachelors degree you can do an accelerated BSN (Bachelors degree in nursing) but you will still have prerequisite courses to take like anatomy and physiology, chemistry, statics and/or physics and others depending on the program.

Now, many Masters programs will require a BSN. But these days there are many paths for nursing and higher degrees.

AliNajaCat · Jan 11, 2017

You don't mention financial constraints, but if you have a bachelor's in anything you will find it very hard, if not impossible, to get financial aid for a second one.

I agree about the convoluted writing. Oh, and "opinionated" doesn't mean what you intended. I think. Maybe a extra course in expository writing would be helpful, since you're floundering around anyway. :)

misspy · Jan 12, 2017

Ok I know you nurses are very intelligent individuals here but I'm not there. I didn't over look my post, as I thought I could freewrite on a message board. I did not intend on this message board as being an article post, in fact I just freewrote.

Also I took basic writing twice before, I have taken 2 college compositions classes and have written many academic papers. This however was a post I was looking for to find alittle advice, as I'm just abit overwhelmed and anxious and continuously going through school.

However thanks for the advice whether it was to help me or ...im not sure. I appreciate the time taken to give me some different perspectives. â˜º

Also..., what does opinionated mean? Even though i have experience with writing and english, I don't have a strong vocabulary...

misspy · Jan 12, 2017

I found your post confusing too.... That said, 20 years ago I did something similar to what you're describing. My original program was a BA in psychology, about 90 or so credits in I realized that career path wasn't right for me at the time/age/stage of life I was at. So I transferred to an ASN program at a different school (both were local colleges about 45 minutes from my home, one east and one west of me). There were times I was attending two different schools and working on both degrees part-time. But I couldn't see wasting the credits I'd earned toward the BA. So, in the end I graduated with the ASN in 95 and the BA in pscyh in 96 and then went on to a Master's in Nursing without any problems. I was able to transfer credits from each program to each other, so it worked out.
It all depends on what each school requires for pre-reqs and the cost of the programs etc.
My post is probably hard to follow too, lol.

I find that's pretty cool you did two things at once. That is quite an accomplishment.