I plan on being a nurse but which is the better path to take?

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I am about to start college in fall 2013 with a full ride to a school that does not offer a degree in nursing. I planned on getting my prerequisites out of the way and than transferring to nursing school. However I am unsure if I should transfer as soon as I can and begin a traditional BSN program, or if I should just stay for four years and get a bachelors degree in psychology and than do the one year program to get my BSN. After I get my BSN I plan on continuing to become a Nurse Practitioner. Which route will help me in the long run as a nurse? Any advice would be appreciated.

Specializes in ICU.

I would actually advise getting your psych degree (and taking ALL of the nursing prereqs while you're doing it). That's what electives are for - things you choose to take. You can get your prereqs out of the way for free and get a degree at the same time; how cool is that?

The bottom line is that your psych degree is FREE. The new grad nurse market now is pretty tough, and I know lots of people with huge student loan debts on their shoulders who haven't been able to find jobs to make payments yet. One year of loans from an ABSN program is a lot better than 2-3 years of loans from a traditional BSN program. Just food for thought. In this economy I wouldn't pile enough student loans to choke a horse on when you don't have to...

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Specializes in ICU.
People who already have a Bachelors degree are unable to do a traditional BSN (as in my case). They only take undergrads. If you already have your RN then yes, it should only take 16 months for an RN-BSN. But in my case where I do not have an RN, 22 months is actually faster than doing the ADN for 2 years, then another 2 years for an RN-BSN. I don't understand though, why programs like CSUN are only a year Accelerated where National is 22 months?? Looks like National has more courses... Not quite sure why.

That first part is totally untrue. A person with a bachelor's degree can absolutely go back for a traditional BSN, just like they can go back for any other bachelor's degrees that they want. It's stupid (I'm saying this as someone with a bachelor's who went back for a traditional BSN), but it's totally possible. Wish I'd done my research and realized that ABSN programs existed before I'd applied to my BSN school... it would have saved me a ton of time. ;)

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
People who already have a Bachelors degree are unable to do a traditional BSN (as in my case). They only take undergrads.

*** Not at all. People who already have bachelors degree go back for the traditional BSNs all the time. I know lots who have and I regularly precept them. If there can't do it at your school then that is a decision your school in particular has made.

If you already have your RN then yes, it should only take 16 months for an RN-BSN.

*** If one already had a bachelors degree and is an RN they can get their BSN in only about 6 months if they choose. Though why a person in that situation would bother rather than just doing MSN directly I don't know.

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*** Not at all. People who already have bachelors degree go back for the traditional BSNs all the time. I know lots who have and I regularly precept them. If there can't do it at your school then that is a decision your school in particular has made.

*** If one already had a bachelors degree and is an RN they can get their BSN in only about 6 months if they choose. Though why a person in that situation would bother rather than just doing MSN directly I don't know.

I don't know where you are from but that is not the way it works with schools in Southern California. Trust me, I've done my research. They DO NOT take people who already have a Bachelors in their traditional BSN programs. If you research the Cal State Universities I have mentioned, you will see that I am in fact, correct. My mistake, I should've been more clear that I was referencing my particular area and my own experience. Because I have a family and a husband with a career, I cannot just move out of state so anywhere else would be out of the question. And that is why I would choose that route. Also, the reason people do not go into an MSN directly is because they might not have the GPA for it. Most schools require a minimum of 3.0 GPA. Again, I am referencing my area. Everyone has different circumstances.

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*** Not at all. People who already have bachelors degree go back for the traditional BSNs all the time. I know lots who have and I regularly precept them. If there can't do it at your school then that is a decision your school in particular has made.

*** If one already had a bachelors degree and is an RN they can get their BSN in only about 6 months if they choose. Though why a person in that situation would bother rather than just doing MSN directly I don't know.

Never mind, I see that you are from Wisconsin. Totally different area with a completely different set of rules. I would love to apply everywhere in the U.S. but because of my own circumstances, I'm unable to. So hopefully that gives you some new insight on why some people (like myself) might choose the routes they do.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Never mind, I see that you are from Wisconsin. Totally different area with a completely different set of rules.

*** Actually not "from" Wisconsin. Just happen to live here at the moment. I am from San Diego.

I don't know where you are from but that is not the way it works with schools in Southern California. Trust me, I've done my research.

*** I know California has a lot of screwy deals related to nursing education. When I returned to San Diego after I got out of the army and challenged the LVN boards I looked at what I would have to do to become and RN. Then I leaned I could become an RN in 9 months in Wisconsin. I threw my wife and my stuff into the truck and headed out.

They DO NOT take people who already have a Bachelors in their traditional BSN programs. If you research the Cal State Universities I have mentioned, you will see that I am in fact, correct.

*** That is a decision they have made and by no means universal.

Also, the reason people do not go into an MSN directly is because they might not have the GPA for it. Most schools require a minimum of 3.0 GPA. Again, I am referencing my area. Everyone has different circumstances.

*** No they don't. As for your area I am pretty sure there are no RN to MSN programs in Southern California universities and if they do they are online. Plenty of RN to MSN programs for those with lower GPAs.

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*** I threw my wife and my stuff into the truck and headed out.

Haha. Wish I could do that to my husband and child but unfortunately that's not an option.

*** That is a decision they have made and by no means universal.

True and I wish it was especially in my circumstances. That's why I said in my area :)

*** No they don't. As for your area I am pretty sure there are no RN to MSN programs in Southern California universities and if they do they are online. There are very few.

Only 2 I know of - CSUDH and Western University. You have to hold a Bachelors degree in another field to apply. Not sure if they're online though...

*** Plenty of RN to MSN programs for those with lower GPAs.

When I was talking about the reason people do not go directly to a Masters program, I was talking about Entry Level MSN programs for people who already hold a Bachelors in another field and no nursing degree. It's actually pretty competitive. Even though you may have a 3.0 GPA you are not very competitive at all. So that was my argument as to why people may do an Accelerated BSN vs an EL-MSN. That is what you meant right? When you said "why people don't just go straight to a Masters I don't know." Or am I misunderstanding you?

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
When I was talking about the reason people do not go directly to a Masters program, I was talking about Entry Level MSN programs for people who already hold a Bachelors in another field and no nursing degree. It's actually pretty competitive. Even though you may have a 3.0 GPA you are not very competitive at all. So that was my argument as to why people may do an accelerated BSN vs an EL-MSN. That is what you meant right? When you said "why people don't just go straight to a Masters I don't know." Or am I misunderstanding you?

*** Oh no. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was wondering why an RN, who also hold a bachelors degree in another field would bother with a BSN and not do RN to MSN instead. I think the main reason is people simply don't know what available.

I would never recommend anyone enter a direct entry masters program. EL MSN grads aren't even eligible for hire in the health system where I work. We already have had enough experience with them thank you.

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*** Oh no. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

No worries at all. I had a feeling we were talking about different things :)

I was wondering why an RN who also hold a bachelors degree in another field would bother with a BSN and not do RN to MSN instead. I think the main reason is people simply don't know what available. [/quote']

You're right. We don't know what's available. Would you be able to recommend a few RN-MSN classes online? I was recently accepted to an ADN program so I may go this route if I don't get into an accelerated BSN program... Any info would be very helpful.

To the OP - Sorry, I know I'm straying a little from your question but in case you do decide to get your Bachelors in Psych, this info may be useful in the future..

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