How to become a RN with a BSN

heatherisbetter, BSN · Jan 27, 2016

You are over thinking it. You can enter into a BSN program that is a 4 year program if it includes pre reqs. If it doesnt, it may take you an additional year. An AA or ADN is 2 years and you can enter a bridge program that will get you a BSN in as little as 18 months, there are varying programs with varying time and some (most?) are online. Look for nursing programs in your area and then go from there. I personally recommend going into a BSN program if you can get in.

Extra Pickles · Jan 27, 2016

Not sure if this is an elaborate explanation LOL but I'll do my best!

BSN is a Bachelor degree in nursing, and you don't need to get an ADN/ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) first. Many people do, though, because they can find it to be less expensive to get the Associate degree first, then work as a nurse while saving up for an RN-to-BSN program. Those programs take someone who is already a working RN with an Associates' or diploma and finish up the courses needed to be awarded a BSN.

Competition to get into nursing schools is tough, so a lot will depend on how your high school transcript looks as to whether you'd be accepted right off the bat into a bachelor's or associate's program. No matter which route you take you still have pre-requisite courses to take before getting into either degree program. Some people go to a community college first to take the pre-requisites and then transfer to a 4-year school once getting accepted into that school's BSN program. Getting into a 4-year school right after high school doesn't guarantee a place in the nursing program two years later, after pre-requisites are done, unless you are an outstanding student and have some kind of early assurance offered to you.

AA is Associate of Arts, and doesn't always have enough science credits in it to get you where you need to be, so think AS instead of AA.

You should expect to spend a year or two working on pre-requ courses before knowing if you can get into a nursing program, and like I said it'll depend on what kind of a high school student you are, if you have the grades to get scholarships and into a 4-year school or not and need to start at a community college. Both roads lead to RN :)

dfdgsag · Jan 27, 2016

So i can either go straight into a bsn program which is more difficult and i would have to find one that doesnt require an AA, or i can get an AA in 2 years and through a bridge program go into my bsn which will also be more or less 2 years?

Extra Pickles · Jan 27, 2016

You're confusing yourself. You do not need to have an Associates degree in order to get into a BSN program. No one anywhere requires you to have an Associate's degree to become an RN, it's just an option.

You are looking at getting into a school that would prepare you to enter a nursing program once the pre-requisite courses are done. Like I said, unless you are a rare student who gets accepted early assurance, you do not know if you will get into any nursing program until you apply, and that's only after you complete the pre-requisites.

Here's your choices.

(A) Go to a community college, take the pre-requisites, then apply to the community college's nursing program (Associate in Science awarded).

(B) Go to a 4-year university, take the pre-requisites, then apply to the university's nursing program (BSN awarded).

If you go the AS route, after you have completed the schooling and have passed the licensing test, you can enter a RN-BSN program that will take you through the courses that will end up with a BSN.

Some people go ASN first because of not having $$ up front. Some dont' have the grades to do anything else. If you have the money, and have the ability to get into a BSN 4-year school, you should probably do that.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2016

Here are various ways to obtain the BSN degree:

1. Enroll in a 4-year college and earn the BSN degree. By the way, nobody needs an associate degree before earning the BSN.

2. Enroll in a community college, technical school or state university and earn the ASN degree. Once you earn the ASN, complete an RN-to-BSN program. There's no such thing as the 'AA' in nursing. It is either an ASN (associate of science in nursing), AAS (associate of applied science in nursing), or ADN (associate degree in nursing).

3. Enroll in a 3-year diploma program and earn the diploma of nursing. Once you earn the diploma, complete an RN-to-BSN program.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 27, 2016

AA is Associate of Arts, and doesn't always have enough science credits in it to get you where you need to be, so think AS instead of AA.

I want to point out that this is not true.

I have an AA and tailored my courses to not only fulfill my BSN requirement, but was able to fulfill my degree requirement; it was the best option because my pre-reqs saved money, and when I did return to school, I didn't need to repeat any courses.

AS has FAR more Science course that you may not need for the BSN programs that you are interested in.

IF you decided to go to a CC for your pre-reqs THEN transfer to a BSN program, make sure your CC has all the information as to what courses are transferable to the program's you are interested in.

nursmimi, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2016

What LadyFree28 said....yes! The university that I wanted to graduate with a BSN from required 64 credits to apply for nursing school. I finished those credits in the first 2 years and ended up with an AA in general studies( sort of a generic degree that you can't really do anything with). I was then able to apply for the college of nursing at the university. It was competitive and not promised a spot, so make sure your GPA is high and that you can sell yourself in an interview! It was 5 semesters and at the end I graduated with a BSN-Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This degree is still not really worth anything until you pass NCLEX, though. You must pass this in order to be called an RN. I hope this helps, and doesn't confuse you more! Good luck and best wishes!

tiny_dancer · Jan 28, 2016

AA which is 2 years and nursing school is 2 years. So total of 4 years to earn a BSN . That's the traditional way. There's also a bridge if you already have some sort of degree and you dont have to do all the basics or anything. Check with your counselor to see what's available.

dfdgsag · Jan 28, 2016

This is what i keep saying because the college i am interested in requires an AA to get into the bsn program

tiny_dancer · Jan 28, 2016

This is what i keep saying because the college i am interested in requires an AA to get into the bsn program

If you do not have an associates or bachelor's degree in something else yet then there will be no bridge and yes you have to complete your basics first. However, you can also become an ADN which is 2 years full time (a combination of general courses such as A&P, microbiology, and nursing coures) become an RN with an ADN and then do a bridge (1 year) to get your BSN degree. So 3 years full time as opposed to 4 which can be a big difference. But this is only if you really don't want to take History and all those other classes.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 28, 2016

This is what i keep saying because the college i am interested in requires an AA to get into the bsn program

If that is what the requirements are, I would contact the school in regards to confirm their requirement for and Associate in Arts-most likely in General Studies, and have your pre-reqs done prior to applying.

Contact the school and go from there

Best wishes!