Have B.S. in Mgt. and now considering a BSN as well

kristy.w · Jul 13, 2011

Hi All,
I am a 50 year youngster that just got my BS in Organizational Leadership and now am considering a BSN as well. I checked into programs that are BS to Masters for non nurses and there are too many prerequisites I'd need to deal with before being accepted into such a program. For some reason, they require more than the usual things I already have, such as micro, physio, anatomy, etc... Plus the cost is incredible (58,000)
MY QUESTION IS.....if I do the BSN program already holding a BS in Mgt., will that make me as marketable as a person who holds a Masters in Nursing? Does 2 BS = a Masters (almost) in the REAL WORLD? FYI I am a retired police and training officer and have years of mgt and admin experience. This would be a second career for me (nursing). I received my BS in Org. Leadership from Azusa Pacific University (CA) Adult CAPS program, just because "I wanted a Bachelors degree".
When I was a cop, I was also an EMT and used to go out on ALL ER CALLS, and really enjoyed that better than putting handcuffs on people! If I were younger, I would totally pursue FD with a paramedic credential. For some reason, fire recruiters think 50 is old. I am very healthy and fit too - but that does not matter...
PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADVICE OR OPINIONS ON THIS FOR ME....I NEED REAL WORLD ADVICE ASAP - it's decision time for me. Thanks for your assistance!

I have a BS in management and just recently finished my BSN, it doesn't seem to make you any more marketable than an MSN, it won't equal an almost masters either. However BSN is more marketable than ADN as hospitals seek Magnet status and the way of the future will probably phase out ADN programs as nursing degree programs are almost all extinct. I'm struggling finding a job and even getting interviews with the number of other outstanding candidates out there applying for the same jobs.

You're past experience I think will be of benefit to you as far as an understanding of the healthcare field. I think your management background will also help once you are employed as a nurse as far as moving into administration if you so desire.

I don't know if that helps but its just what I have been experiencing and being told about my degree in management helping me in the future not as much now while I'm looking for a job.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jul 14, 2011

Congrats on having the motivation and drive to make a career change. I am sure you are already aware, but Nursing is a different "animal" than other majors. It isn't actually a 'major' per se, but a program with a tightly integrated curriculum... that's the main reason you can't easily transfer nursing credit hours between programs. In most parts of the country, hospitals are opting for BSN grads rather than ADN - but you should check because the market may still be wide open in your area.

The only masters degree that is really recognized as a qualification for higher-level nursing jobs is an MSN. Here's a thought - with your background, you may want to look into forensic nursing. It's a specialty certification available to BSNs with ED experience.

MrsFitnss · Jul 15, 2011

Forensic sounds cool and a possibility too. I just left a school here in CA and am grappling with the cost of the BSN program, even though my "cost" would be less since I have some core BS classes already. Guessing the program would run me $100,000 (usually $139,000). I know - I could be a doctor / lawyer for that $$$$$$$$$ Ugh. Its pay or play the wait list and lottery game.