How should I go about getting my nursing degree?

[ashyhendr]

I am in the process of thinking about where I want to be with my nursing degree in the future.

I know that my goal (dream job) is to work in either Labor/Delivery, Pediatrics, or at St. Jude...Or gain work experience in all of these areas throughout times in my career.

I have finished pretty much all pre reqs for the schools I am looking into & am currently halfway through with my 4th year at a University. My GPA is sadly below what the minimum or recommended GPA for me to get into a BSN program at a university should be. I am still applying in hopes that by taking their required TEAS exam will help show them that I am smart & capable of doing well in school.

My second "backup" option is to attend Community College to obtain an Associate degree in Nursing. If I fail to get admitted into the BSN program.

My actual question (well advice from you readers) is if I do have to settle for an associates degree for now, should after my two years, gain work experience (if I can) & then apply for a RN-BSN program/or RN-MSN or just jump straight into a RN-BSN program after my associates degree...

I have been in college for 4 years already working on (& still behind on) obtaining Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science as well as Pre-nursing. If I continue on with ES degree & graduate, I will have to be a 5th year because I am behind on credits.

[Honey Clover]

The ultimate end goal is to be a nurse and you will be a nurse after your associates and after you pass the NCLEX. Getting a BSN is for extra pay, job opportunities and management positions. It does not necessarily mean a nurse from a BSN program is better than a nurse from am associates program. Nothing wrong with your back up plan either. It just takes somewhat more time and determination to go through the extra steps if you want the BSN. I'd say, if you aren't feeling confident and would rather want job experience, then just work for a few years before jumping from RN-BSN. It'll make your application stronger that way too. But if by then you think you want to save time and you've done well in nursing school, then go ahead for the BSN right after. For RN-MSN, that I do suggest working before getting into though. As for now, just concentrate getting into a program in the first place. Concentrate on the Teas. You don't need to stress yourself so much with feeling like you need a future plan set in stone since life happens a lot and things can change. The most important thing is taking one step at a time and right now, do well on your Teas and apply everywhere for nursing!

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Settle for an Associate's Degree?? You do know those programs are more competitive than BSN programs. If you don't meet the bare min GPA requirement, I would look at a back-up major. The bare min GPA requirement is not going to get you into any programs. At my ASN program the min GPA is a 2.5, but you need at least a 3.5 to be competitive and most have a 3.7 or higher. Mine was a 3.95 and there were many 4.0.