I have a question concerning my degree

TazziRN, RN · Dec 7, 2007

If you're going to go on for a BSN, either get your pre-reqs done without graduating from the CC, then transfer to the four-year so all you have to take are the nursing classes. If you're going to get an Associate's degree it would make more sense to get your ADN, then do the final 1-2 years for your BSN later. Getting an AA degree without the nursing classes, then going on for another four years of nursing school makes no sense unless you are working full time and have a time constraint.

billythekid · Dec 7, 2007

Hi... yes, you will need to take those classes in order to be considered for admission to a nursing program (BSN). Does your current school have an ASN program? If it does, you would still need to complete pre-reqs to get into the program, but the science and liberal art requirements would be less. Even though on the surface this seems like the shorter route to getting your RN, alot will depend on how long the waiting list is for ASN programs in ur area. If the lists are relatively short, then the ASN might be the route to go if you want to start working (ie start making $$$ ASAP). However, if you are a freshman in college, my advise would be to go ahead get the AA in pre-nursing and apply to BSN programs... You'll need the BSN for a grad degree in CNM anyway. Good Luck!

caliotter3 · Dec 7, 2007

You need to make certain that you are taking the classes that are required for the BSN program that you are planning to enter or for all of the programs that you are planning to apply for. The degree that you get from the community college will most likely be in general studies, unless they actually have a major called "pre-nursing". However, that is not relevent. What is important is that you contact the school's that you are interested in transferring to, and insure that you are taking the courses that will get you into their nursing programs. Right now, it sounds as if you are going at it, hit or miss, just based on what the counselor thinks you should take. Has he taken out a fact sheet from any of the BSN programs nearby and shown you where you are meeting their prerequisite requirements?

Mommy2NQ · Dec 7, 2007

I would recommend taking all the general courses at CC and then taking all the pre-nursing course such as A&P, nutrition, and Microbiology at the school you plan on earning your BSN at. Just my thought on it.

futurecnm · Dec 7, 2007

Hi to everyone!!
I just have one question. I am in my first year of college and I want to be a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) and so I went to the nursing dept of the community college I am attending and the couselor told me that I could get my AA in pre-nursing, and then go off the a university to get my BSN. Does this sound correct? I am just wondering because since its a degree in pre-nursing... and also in these two years coming up in which I will be completing my AA in pre-nursing, I am not taking any actual nursing class. He just told me that the classes I have to take are my Englishes and Maths (ofcourse) and then a critical thinking class, a nutrition class, and then like 3 chemistry classes and 4-5 biology classes with their corresponding labs. I'm not taking any nursing related classes; is it because I'll be taking them for when I get my bachelors or how does this work. I am just a little worried/confused since its a degree in pre-nursing.
Thank you all for your help!!!!

it is cheaper to take your generals at a CC and then get a nursing degree. I don't think you need to get an AA in prenursing, you just need to get the generals done for whatever program you want to get into. You can then do a ADN in 2 years then a BSN, then CNM or else you could do generals and then start in a BSN program, then CNM masters. There are many options. If money is an issue, you may want to do the entire RN (ADN) at a community college, then get your BSN, MSN/CNM at a university. to get into a CNM program you generally need at least 1 yr experience on a L&D unit before applying, so you somehow need to get your RN to get started on that path. I started out wanting to be a CNM also, but now am not totally sure what area I want to go into. I am getting my ADN at a CC (due to money) and then will get my bachelors and masters at a later date hopefully getting some tuition help from my empoloyer.

Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 7, 2007

I earned my AA degree at a community college and made sure to take all the pre-nursing courses required for my BSN, I transferred to a University and only have to take the final two years of nursing classes, not four more years. "Pre-nursing" just means you are taking the pre-req's required to get into a nursing program, I don't think it is an actual degree. Your degree would be AA or AS or something like that.

Like an above poster mentioned, just make sure all the classes you take will transfer and meet the requirements of the school you will transfer to.

ingui08 · Dec 7, 2007

Thank you all very much for your help!!!

What my counselor had told me was that when I get my AA in pre-nursing I could transfer to a university to get my BSN in two years. Or that I could just get an AS in nursing (which would be to get my RN right??) but that the waiting list is long and that it was very hard to get in because they only pick like 100 applicants out of like 1200, and that basically to even get a chance to get in I would need at least a 3.8 GPA, nothing less. So he told me that even with my AA in pre-nursing I could get my BSN in 2 years, but its just that I'm having second thoughts about it because since I'm not gaining any experience now. But I guess I'll just go to talk to my counselor again and contact the university that I'm planning on going to, but the thing is that I live in Miami but I really don't know if I'll still be living here by the time I get to my bachelors and I dont know where I might move... just out of Florida lol!...

Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 7, 2007

That's right, you can get your AS in nursing which is your RN or you can get your BSN (also RN). It would be helpful if you knew where you might be moving to so you can see what the pre-req's are, but maybe since you are unsure, just take some of the pre-req's and give yourself some time to decide, you can always change your mind later. Most schools are going to be competitive like the one you are describing so whichever route you choose, be prepared for that. Best wishes!

ingui08 · Dec 7, 2007

thank you very much!!

Gennaver, MSN · Dec 8, 2007

Hi to everyone!!
I just have one question. I am in my first year of college and I want to be a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) and so I went to the nursing dept of the community college I am attending and the couselor told me that I could get my AA in pre-nursing, and then go off the a university to get my BSN. Does this sound correct? I am just wondering because since its a degree in pre-nursing... and also in these two years coming up in which I will be completing my AA in pre-nursing, I am not taking any actual nursing class. He just told me that the classes I have to take are my Englishes and Maths (ofcourse) and then a critical thinking class, a nutrition class, and then like 3 chemistry classes and 4-5 biology classes with their corresponding labs. I'm not taking any nursing related classes; is it because I'll be taking them for when I get my bachelors or how does this work. I am just a little worried/confused since its a degree in pre-nursing.
Thank you all for your help!!!!

Hello,

If you want to become a certified nurse midwife then I agree with your counselor, you will need a higher degree than an associate.

If you get an associates in nursing first and then transfer to a bridge to bsn or if you get your associates in pre nursing then complete the RN/BSN I do not think it would be a great difference.

In my home state a CNM required a graduate degree anyhow so the Associates and Bachelor's would both be pre-reqs in the first place.

Good luck! It is worth it if you want it. My RN, (which ended up being a Masters entry) took over 7 years from start to finish. I started at a junior college thinking I'd go for an RN, then made it a pre-nursing, (it was an Associates in Allied Health Sciences with a major in Biology) and transferred to a four year thinking I'd go for a BSN. You are right, wait lists are ridiculous and I didn't want to wait the extra year to get accepted to the junior college because that "two year" degree would've taken four years anyhow!

Then I ended up making my BA a pre-nursing too because as a transfer in that required another year of pre-reqs that were University specific that I hadn't completed because I'd only covered the general nursing pre-reqs. So then I wrapped up my BA in Soc with a psych minor and completed the pre-reqs to the transfer to a Master's Entry program and earned my MS in nursing. Now I am starting a PhD program and have plans to keep working clinically as a hands on nurse too. Remeber a pre-professional degree is just a degree that is required to continue formally into a graduate entry program, right? There is pre-law, pre-dentistry, pre-medicine and of course pre-nursing too!

Best,

Gen

fmrnicumom · Dec 8, 2007

Good luck to you! Please do contact the school you want to get your BSN from and double and triple check with them. It is very frustrating to find out a class doesn't transfer and you have to reatake it. Keep in touch with them during every semester you work on your prenursing classes at the community college. Transfer equivalencies change and so do program requirements. What they tell you is needed today could change next semester. That isn't to say it WILL change every semester, but that they can change the requirements and transfer equivalencies at any time, so you need to be up to date on the latest news.

Also, whether you're able to get your BSN in two years depends on how the school structures the program. The program I'm starting in January is 6 semesters of nursing classes and clinicals, not including the prerequisites and general education requirements. Even though I have taken everything I could ahead of time, I will still be in school another 3 years. Your program may be different however. Just make sure you know what to expect so you don't waste time or money.

Again, good luck to you! :)

Tiffany