Getting started, what to do first?

[HopefulRN007]

I am just deciding to start nursing school. I've kicked myself before for not going this direction to begin with, and I've gone through the whole feeling that its too late, and now I've come full-circle to the realization that its not. I have a bachelor's in another subject and would like to transition into the field. Is there anyone on this board who has gone this route? If so, I'd love a little advice on how to get started, what to look for in programs, and whether an ASN or accelerated BSN would be the way to go.

Thanks!

[Rhone]

I would start by looking at the website for your State's Board of Nursing; it may have a list of accredited schools with nursing degrees in the State. Or you could go straight to looking at websites of schools in your area to see which have nursing programs and what their admission policies etc. are.

Some things to consider:

Nursing programs--even ADN programs at Community Colleges, and even LPN programs--tend to be very competitive. There are usually many people applying for relatively few spots in the programs.

Nursing programs usually have several prerequisite courses that must be completed before you'll even be considered for admission. Anatomy and Physiology (1 and 2), Microbiology, and sometimes Chemistry courses are common prereqs.

Most schools have "bridge" programs that allow you to advance from one nursing degree to the next step up (LPN-to-RN, RN-to-BSN). This route can make it take longer to get to your final goal, but can help you get started if you need to start working ASAP.

Judging from the plethora of "second-degree" and "accelerated" BSN programs out there, and from posts on this site, it seems that getting into nursing as a second career is fairly common. I'm in the same situation myself, though I'm not much further in the process than you are.

What kind of program is best for you will depend on the situation you're in, the programs in your area, and your goals. In my case, going into a BSN program would have been nice, since I do want to get a BSN and eventually an MS, and I have most of the non-science general ed requirements finished from my BA in Psychology. But I also want to get started ASAP, and in my area the BSN programs have many more prereqs than the ADN programs.

On top of that, there is an LPN program in my area that includes the usual prereqs (A&P and Micro) as part of the program, though they do say they favor applicants that have already taken those classes. Getting out of my current field (which pays very little and is burning me out) and into nursing ASAP is appealing to me, so I've decided to apply to the LPN program and cross my fingers, and register to take A&P and Micro this summer. Then if I don't get into the LPN program I am at least in a good position to apply to get into the ADN program for next Spring.

If I do get into the LPN program, then I will do the LPN-RN bridge program ASAP while working as an LPN, and then can do an RN-BSN program later on. BSN generally doesn't get more pay than ADN starting out, just makes you more eligible for positions that will require you to have had several years of experience on the floor anyway. So there is not too much of a rush to get the BSN.

But that's just my current situation and perspective. If you have a BSN program in your area that looks like it would work out well for you, go for it!

[menetopali]

check for BSN programs that have specialty tracks for people with another degree already (The University of Arizona has one). If you already have a degree and are looking at going farther in your career as a nurse picking up the BSN is essential (my previous BA didn't help one bit in my applications for grad school when all I had in nursing was an ADN and the material covered in the BSN completion was mostly a rehash of material I learned for my BA with a "for nurses" spin [research for nurses, management for nurses, pathophysiology for nurses]). If on the other hand you are looking at a career as a staff nurse, then the ADN is just as good an education as the BSN. just my two cents though. good luck.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Good luck to you. Great advice above.

If I were to choose a best route for you, it would be the accelerated BSN. This would take advantage of your current degree, get you a BSN faster and the opportunities for the future that a BSN will get you.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I'm with Tweety here. If you can do it, my advice would be to go for the accelerated BSN. It's an intense load, but you're going to school for essentially the same amount of time for a degree that will give you more opportunities down the road should you ever want to get away from the bedside. In any case, all the best to you! :)

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

Some schools now require you to be CNA certified before getting on the wait list. If you have a degree that is health care related, many times you can slide into the nursing program In Milwaukee WI, Marquette University has a program that takes people with a ba in a healthcare related field and puts them on a fast track where you'll earn your ba in nursing and then your masters in like 3-4 yrs. I hear its tough.

If that doesn't interest you, check into the college you want to attend, get on the wait list (if there is one), and start taking the support courses (science etc). Good Luck and welcome to the field!