HELP!Community Health bachelors degree vs. possible associates degree in nursing?

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I am a rising sophomore at a state university. My major is community health, because I didn't have the grades out of high school to get into the nursing program. But I want to be a nurse, so I am currently attending a CNA training school for the summer so I can get my foot in the door and have experience and try to work as a CNA while still in school. My question is, I am contemplating transferring from the university I am currently attending, to a local community college for nursing or to a vocational LPN program. Everyone I talk to thinks I should just stick with the Community Health bachelors degree and after that go back to school for a post-baccalaureate program for nursing. So that way I'll have a good background and foundation because Community Health has some similar classes as the nursing program.

I just don't want to waste my time or spend more money than I need to. Am I on the right path? Or should I try to get into a Associate degree nursing program?

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Specializes in ICU.

An associate degree is RN, not LPN. LPN is a diploma which is why it is probably at a vocational school. How are your grades now? You need to decide what you want to do career wise and just do. If you get a degree, you may not be able to get financial aid down the road.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I agree with Heathermaizey. If nursing is what you want to do, pursue that. Be aware that you'll need the grades in order to get there, but as long as you're doing well in college, you'll be fine. ADN (associate's that makes you eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN) or BSN (bachelor's that makes you eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN) preference depends on what you can get into and what the job market in your area requires. I'm not sure what state you're in, but here, you apply for nursing programs separately from the university, so there is still a chance you could get into a program. You'll need to do your nursing prerequisites before you can enter a program. Research what you need to do in your area, and look at as many programs as possible. Casting a wide net greatly increases your chances. :) Good luck!

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Specializes in ER.

Be aware that financial aid rules have changed so I would talk to someone and try to get an adequate picture. Some students find out they cannot get financial aid after graduating from a school or spending too long in school. Since you're a sophomore, you will probably need to get an extension or waiver before the end if you switch to an ADN program due to the amount of credits and time you have been in school. Some schools are great with waivers and others are not.

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@Heathermaizey, I know that an RN is an associate degree. And the LPN program is at a vocational school. That's another option that I was considering. My grades are very good right now, this past semester I got 3 A's and 1 B. I've gotten the hang of college work and what it takes, so my grades from her on out will all be B's if not A's, that's what I am aiming for. I want to be a nurse, that is the career that I want. I am not in the nursing program, but I am in community health, which is very similar. A lot of people are telling me to stick with the community health, and just do a post-baccalaureate BSN, so that way I will be more well rounded and can have a step up. And also that way, if I want to go into community health nursing, I could.

@applesxoranges & @Heathermaizey What do you mean by not getting any financial aid? If i were to do the post-baccalaureate is it because I already have loans taken out and there not payed off, they won't give me any more? I thought they also had loans for graduate schools or continuing with your education?

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Specializes in ER.

For federal financial aid, the rules have changed. Some people have been having difficulty with getting waivers for satisfactory academy progress. Sometimes schools will waive the SAP and others will not. Most will not in my experience. The undergrad RN ADN program was good with the SAP waivers.

Basically, if you get your bachelors you usually are ineligible to get a 2nd bachelors or an associate degree. You could only go on to graduate studies, get private loans, or pay out of pocket. An accelerated BSN is not graduate school. It is still considered undergrad. You would have to try to get into a direct-entry MSN program in order to take graduate loans.

It's partially to end the stereotypical person who gets loans and then vanishes from the class or who takes classes forever.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I don't want you to get the idea that Community Health is a stepping stone... Sorry but Community Health is NOT very similar to nursing. Nothing is. Nursing is the Liberal Arts of Healthcare. It's true that nursing curriculum includes an overview of community health, but it also includes overviews of many other disciplines.

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