Have non-nursing AA degree, now what?

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I'm about to graduate from a prestigious US university with an associate of the arts degree and a 3.0+ gpa. I ultimately want to be a nurse practitioner. I'd like to be a registered/BSN nurse in 2 years or less, or, alternatively, a nurse practitioner in 4. Either way, really.

Suggestions? I'm stumped. Schools can be pretty much anywhere in the US or Canada. ^_^

Thanks!

yes, thanks.

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I have a few questions....then maybe I can be of more help.

1. You say you are not yet 20, right? but have been at the university for 4 years...did you enter at 15?

2. You are graduating from a "prestigious" university after 4 years and only receiving an Associate of Arts degree? The universities that I have attended do not offer an Associate degree only Bachelor/Master/PhD--so that's a little different.

3. You took many psych courses, A&P, etc for an "arts" degree? I would expect a more liberal arts course schedule.

BTW- An ADN/associate RN takes longer than 2 years because for many programs you have to have all pre-reqs and support courses complete before applying to be competitive. The nursing courses will take 2 years.

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I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be picky or mean. For us to give you useful advice, we have to have a clear picture of your current status. It makes a huge difference in which path to take.:p

For me, since I have a previous BS, I'm getting an ADN/RN. It will take me less time and much less $$$ ($3,000 vs $20,000) than a BSN. Besides, if I want to go on to an MSN/NP, many programs offer admission with an ADN + BS in non-nursing. (can't do it with a BA though)

I would suggest visiting with an admissions counselor either at your current school or the schools you'd attend for nursing. They can give you a plan of action.

Since you want to work in research/charity, maybe a degree in Public Health would be good?? You could do a BS in pretty short time and a Masters would only take 2 years more. That might be a quicker way to get out into the field you're looking for.

Good Luck!

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I have a few questions....then maybe I can be of more help.

1. You say you are not yet 20, right? but have been at the university for 4 years...did you enter at 15?

2. You are graduating from a "prestigious" university after 4 years and only receiving an Associate of Arts degree? The universities that I have attended do not offer an Associate degree only Bachelor/Master/PhD--so that's a little different.

3. You took many psych courses, A&P, etc for an "arts" degree? I would expect a more liberal arts course schedule.

BTW- An ADN/associate RN takes longer than 2 years because for many programs you have to have all pre-reqs and support courses complete before applying to be competitive. The nursing courses will take 2 years.

You pointed out some things I hadn't thought of....such as the requirement of a BS instead of a BA for the Accelerated BSN program. It does make sense. As for the Associates earned within the span of a university enrollment, it sounded odd to me, but hey, I don't know everything :p

I did mention that it takes longer than two years to get an ADN most places because of the pre-requs; I have known those who did it in two, but they're few and far between. And nowadays the competition for program space is such that schools can require LOTS of pre-reqs before matriculation in the actual nursing program.

Bottom line: there's no "short-cut" to becoming an advanced practice nurse!

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Clarification: you do NOT need a BS to enter an ABSN program. I had a BA and just needed to take a handful of science courses before entering NS.

Also, I think (pls correct me if I am wrong) the OP may be from Canada where "university" is a general term for college and (I believe) they graduate HS earlier than US students. From what I understand, the Canadian university system is more like that in Europe than the US.

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I did not realize the difference in us/can. Thanks-it makes more sense.

I do have students in my classes that have just graduated high school, they're 18/19 but took college courses during jr& sr year. They are ahead of the game.

I also didn't know about the BA for ABSN- I guess you make up the difference with the extra science courses.

I really want to be able to help people- the nurse in us all. So I'm glad to have a different perspective.

Good Luck to all!

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Being trained as a CNA/phlebotomist/MA won't matter in nursing school.

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Specializes in CNA - starting LPN school January 2009!!.
also, I do not expect to ultimately work in a hospital or anything. I'd like to do a combination of research and overseas/urban charity work. i.e. serving the underserved. I can get through the school part if I know it's not going to last too much longer. I'm just really drained and exhausted from school right now.

I wonder if the nursing/NP route is even the best fit for you. What you want to do sounds to me like you would be better served getting a degree in Public Health or Social Work. If you are going to train to become a nurse, you will be working in a hospital for the bulk of your career. Yes, there are non-hospital type nursing careers, but they require clinical experience.

If you really want to do nursing research, a Phd in nursing might be your best bet.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

sorry to disappoint you, but it is unlikely that you will have your RN in two years. Have you taken your nursing pre-reqs yet? Those can take 2yrs alone. If you have completed those then you have to apply to a nursing program...if it goes by a lotto system you could be on a waiting list for a minimum of one year....you you apply to a school that goes by merit you might have a better chance of getting in; if you ave a GPA of at least 3.5 or higher (I hear some schools only accepting 4.0) and the only merit schools I know of are BSN programs, but I hear that there are ASN programs that do merit as well.

Hate to tell you but; I transfered to a BSN program with my AA and graduated with high honors and it is taking me 3yrs just like everyone else. Prestigious school or not, there really isn't much getting out quick, unless you have a BS/BS and are in an Accelerated BSN program...

If you are going for speed I would suggest going the BSN route then applying for your MSN. I know that the ASN to BSN to MSN is really long. I am not sure about the ASN to MSN, but I hear it is MAJORLY intense.

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in most schools you have to have a bsn and a couple of years of icu experience to enter advanced courses

find a job that you are qualified for with degree you have now and maybe later you can decide to go into nursing or another field

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