I have a BA, now what?

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 6, 2007

The best route for you to take is "Accellerated BSN". This takes one year. They only take people with a Bachelor's Degree in another field. There are pre-reqs such as Statistics, Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology and whatnot that you have to have done prior. But once the pre-reqs are taken it is the quickest way to get a BSN and takes one year. Usually they are expensive and it's very intense.

More than likely the BSN will not be a requirement for entry level. There's been talk of this for over 50 years and it hasn't happened yet.

BSNs initally at the bedside do not make more money. The advantage comes later down the line with experience when you might want another job that doesn't involve direct bedside care such as case management, research, teaching, administration, etc. BSN does not always equal more money but it might mean higher paying jobs in some cases.

Generally speaking an RN is an RN, whether they get it by Associates Degree, Diploma or BSN, and one isn't "valued" more than the other. BSN's are valued in "BSN preferred" positions, or in the Ivory tower. But in the eyes of the public and lay nurses: an RN is an RN taking the same NCLEX and making the same amount of money.

Good luck in whatever you do. Please feel free to ask any questiosn.

mathilda843 · May 6, 2007

NW Lady,

Tweety gave you some excellent advice. I especially like the phrase about the "ivory tower." It's a shame that nursing education is so mixed up. It causes misunderstanding even among nurses. Even if you go for the nursing degree, I think you still need some kind of "clinical experience." There needs to be some sort of mix of the old and the new types of education. If you keep reading all these posts, you'll see that it's certainly a Hot topic. :lol2:

Tweety,

Did you finish your degree program??? And, have you decided on a MSN program?? (Just curious - sorry if I missed some infor along the way...)

Good luck!

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 6, 2007

Tweety,
Did you finish your degree program??? And, have you decided on a MSN program?? (Just curious - sorry if I missed some infor along the way...)
Good luck!

Thanks for asking. I am in my last course and I will have my BSN hopefully by the end of the summer in August. I'm taking a 15-week option with this last course insead of the usually accellerated 8 week classes. If I go to grad school it will be after some time off. I decided on Walden University's online MSN in Education..if I decide to go on.

JaneyW · May 6, 2007

I was once in your place. At the time, my best option was the ADN--there were no BSN programs in my area that didn't cost way too much $$$. Now I am getting my MSN in education. My thoughts would be to look for accelerated BSN or entry-level masters programs. The ELMP programs are newer and give you your RN and MSN. You would still be starting at the bedside, but having the MSN will give you more choices than even the BSN down the line. Having a degree in psych helps. I received credit for all the statistics and research courses I had taken as a psych major. Just get started on your prereqs (anatomy, physiology, microbiology) and look around! Good luck!

nightyngale · May 7, 2007

I just found out last week that I have been accepted into a brand new Entry-Level Master's program (EL-MSN). It's at a state school so the fees are very reasonable. The first 18 months focus only on RN licensure and prep for the NCLEX - including lectures, skills and clinicals. Once I take the NCLEX after 18 months of intense study, I can then opt to start working and continue on to my MSN part-time or keep going to school full-time and finishing up my MSN in 18 months. These programs are perfect for people who already hold a BA/BS. My undergrad is in music...go figure!

FLAgal14 · May 7, 2007

I was in the same boat as you currently are in - I have a BA in public health and decided to change careers. I am fortunate enough to live in an area where the accelerated BSN program is not that expensive (it's a state school), but generally speaking the private acclerated programs are expensive. There are also scholarships & loan forgiveness programs out there too to help with expenses. My program is 12 months long, at the end I take the NCLEX and am ready to practice as a RN. Tweety was right about the pre-requisites, check out the schools you are interested in and see what the pre-req's are , as well as if there is an entrance exam you have to take.

Good luck!

Gannon1qb · May 7, 2007

hi all!
i have a bachelors of arts degree in psychology. i recently decided to become a nurse. i am not exactly sure what route would be better for me since i already have a degree. i know the bsn normally takes 4 years but could i get it sooner since i currently have a degree versus going to community college and get an rn. would i be marketable with a ba in psych and an rn (forgive me, i don't know all the proper verbage) anyway, is doing the rn-> bsn program feasible? i know i am asking alot of questions but i have decided to make this change in my life and i want to get into the field as soon as possible but also i want to take the best path. there are rumors that: 1) in the future the bsn will be required 2) they make more money and 3)are more valued. any of this true? i dont want to waste my time or effort....i want to get this right! any of your input or advice is greatly appreciated! :)

nwlady,

my name is dennis, i am 24 years old and i am in the same exact boat as you. i graduated with my ba in psych. i did very well, but then i decided that i wanted to do nursing. i am currently taking my pre reqs (anatomy and physiology 1 & 2, microbio, stats...etc.) i have another year of pre reqs to take (approx 25 more credits) and then in may of '08 i will be doing the accerlorated bsn program. i was lookign for a place online where i can talk to some nurses and nursing students. i feel the same way as you, this is the biggest step of my life right now and im not goign to lie...i am nervous. i really feel like i am making the right decision. if there are any nurses out there who would talk to me i would appreciate it. thank you all and nwlady, i woudl like to talk to you more as well. we are in the same boat and we are making the right decision. thank you everyboyd.

-d

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