I need some advice, which is the best option?

[fierce94]

I just graduated with my B.S. in Psychology, but I've had my heart set on becoming a nurse for as far back as I can remember. I encountered a lot of roadblocks along the way, which were what set me back from actually pursuing a nursing degree in the first place. I've heard that ABSN programs are the way to go since I already have my degree, but majority of the programs near me (I live in Massachusetts) are honestly just way too expensive.

With that in mind, would it be more beneficial for me to get my ADN and then do a bridge program to get my BSN? Or should I aim for an ABSN program?

The only real setback in pursuing an ADN program is that all of the programs in my area have a waitlist of about two years.

Additionally, I'm not sure if this is even possible, but would I be able to apply to a traditional BSN program where I would only have to take the nursing classes? I would have all of the gen eds and pre-reqs completed, but I wasn't sure if this was a realistic option.

I know that I'm only 22, but I would like to start my life sooner rather than later. I apologize for such a long post! Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[daniella71093]

Hi there, I currently attend the University of Washington School of Nursing BSN program in Seattle, WA. We share classes with the ABSN students here. I think you should just apply to the regular BSN programs near you, even though you have a bachelor degree already. It will also give you a higher change of getting into a nursing school because of that education you have. I can tell you that half my class (96 students) has a prior degree in something before attending the BSN program. A lot of them actually chose to apply to a regular BSN program versus an ABSN program because the ABSN program here at UW is $12,000 more (and you are learning 2 years worth of nursing education in 1 year instead.) I don't know about where you are from, but here in WA- lots of hospitals are requiring only BSN nurses to apply versus ADN because they miss that "bachelor" education piece. A lot of nursing students I know that did an ADN program end up waiting to long to go back and do a bridge RN-BSN, and then they end up never doing it, and have difficulty getting jobs at hospitals. Hope that helps!

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

In Massachusetts, you will have a difficult time finding a new grad job with an ADN, unless you want to work in non-hospital settings. I do know someone who got her BS in Psychology from Worcester State then entered into the BSN program as soon as she graduated from that. It wasn't an ABSN program. This was over 10 years ago though.

I can say that I know someone with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at my alma mater would not be able to enter the BSN program and just complete the last 2 years. The first 2 years contained many courses (A&P I and II, Chemistry, Microbiology, Pathophysiology and Health Assessment) that someone not in the nursing program would not have taken. And since some of these classes are pre-reqs to the next, you'd have at least a full year you would need to make up.

[fierce94]

I'm just trying to find the most cost effective but also efficient route, realistically the best bang for my dollar. I would ultimately like to do an ABSN program due to being able to use my existing degree, but I'm very concerned about the cost of that kind of program since majority of them are so expensive. I've emailed a few schools about applying as a transfer to enroll into a traditional BSN program, but that doesn't appear to be too promising due to such few (or non-existent) spots. I ultimately want to be either a NICU or Pediatric nurse working in a hospital. I have majority of the pre reqs completed for an ABSN program, I just have to take A&P and nutrition. However, each school has been different on their pre reqs for transferring into a traditional BSN program. With all of that in mind, what do you think would be the best course of action? I'm open to anything as long as it gets me to what I want to do!