How do I get my BSN?

[Ellison.alli]

I am really confused about my situation and meeting with a counselor was a bad idea (she was about 25, talked like a valley girl, and clearly had no knowledge of my career path). I started my general education (transferrable AS) at a junior college in california. I only have about 15 units left to complete it, but my husband decided to join the army and we got stationed here in the middle of Kansas. The counselor I met with on post told me that my credits were not transferrable to another junior college because they are from a different state. This made NO sense to me. So I asked about finishing my units online through my California college, receiving my AS and transferring to a university here. She then explained that my degree would not be transferrable to a university outside of California! Since beginning my general Ed I have decided on a career. I am going to become an NP specializing in OBGYN. So my first step, as far as I know, would be receiving my BSN. However, i am now extremely confused on how to get it. Will I have to start all over or once I receive my AS(one way or another!) will I be able to transfer into a BSN program at a university? Also, I read somewhere that I would have to be a midwife, not a NP. Is that true because I do not want to be a widwife. I want to be a nurse practitioner, specialize in OBGYN and work either with a physician in an office or have my own practice. Any advice or assistance would be GREATLY appreciated.

[Devon Rex, ADN, BSN]

Hello,

It all boils down to where you got your credits and where you are going. If you got them from a public community college, you should be able to transfer them to another public community college or university without a problem. If you are dealing with private institutions, it gets more difficult because you will need to look at their accreditation (both from CA and Kansas) and the rules of the recipient institution. Again, if they are both public, you should be ok transferring them.

To become a nurse practitioner, you need to become a registered nurse (RN) first. You have the choice of an associates degree (ASN) or a bachelor's degree (BSN). You will be able to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam after either degree. However, as you know, you need the bachelor's degree in order to continue on to the Nurse Practitioner degree. Either way, I recommend the rpogrma of your choice is accredited by the National League of Nurses NLNAC Accredited Nursing Programs

Once you have your BSN (and be an RN), you may apply for the master's program. Now, there is a national movement to get rid of the Master's degree in Nurse Practition and replace it with a doctoral degree in Nurse Practition. I do not know where Kansas is in the process or even if you'll be in Kansas when you reach that point. Anyway, keep that in mind.

** Please notice I said master's in Nurse Practitioner, not master's in nursing (MSN). The MSN degree will continue to exist. ***

I think that's a good start for now. As you move forward with the nursing program, you will do your rotations and have the opportunity to ask someone in OB about their experience and how they got where they are. They would be the best resource (in my opinion) of information as you try to specialize your career.

Good luck !

[Saysfaa]

talking to an advisor is a good idea, you just need a different advisor... maybe one at a community college or university in your area. i'd also look at the schools websites. they usually say what the admission requirements are.

i’m not sure what you mean by your degree transferring (asopposed to your credits transferring) or what a “transferrable as” degreeis. usually credits transfer, degreesdon’t – degrees might be required for certain programs but they still don’treally “transfer” even when they are acknowledged. is this is an oddity of california? or it might just be a terminology hiccup.

anyway, if your credits don’t transfer it won’t be becausethey are from a different state. theymight not transfer if you school isn’t accredited by the normal accreditation people. they might not if the kansas schools don’toffer equivalent courses (usually they do - as electives). they might not ifthey are odd, for example, some schools restrict clep credits or don’t acceptcredit-by-experience that another school may have given. they might not if the grade was less than ac.

unless you have an as in nursing and are looking at anrn-bsn bridge programs at universities, it doesn’t matter whether or not youhave an associate’s degree as far as getting your credits transferred. sometimes it matters to your chances ofgetting accepted into a competitive program if that school/department likes tosee proof of completion.

[nyteshade, BSN]

Check to see if your school in Cali is a member of one of these listed below. If it is, your credits should go anywhere in the country. No questions. For more info check out: College Accreditation in the United States -- TOC

Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges | Western Association of Schools and Colleges or

www