I will already have a BS in different field...

Sippie · Oct 14, 2013

There are some Bachelors to RN programs out there. Do a google seach. There are also some BA to MSN programs that don't require nursing experience like this one Pre-Specialty Entry | Master of Science in Nursing | Vanderbilt University School of Nursing I am not sure about financial aid but usually if you already have a bachelors it is hard to get aid for another bachelors unless you are going for teaching.

I did a post bac program after my BSN and had to pay out of my own pocket for everything. If I had done a Masters it would have been covered by financial aid. So it might be better to try to go the Bachelors to MSN route but you will have to talk to the financial adviser at the school to see exactly what the financial aid would cover.

You may have to do some health science related pre reqs for these programs but would be a huge shortcut for you since the ADN is also going to have pre reqs. The trend for hospitals hiring now days is to hire nurses that at least have a BSN because they want to keep or get magnet status. They are even making ADN employees go back for their BSN to keep their jobs etc.

I really think you will have a broader range of possibilities with nursing than respiratory but totally up to you. They are both worthy professions. See if you can shadow someone and see what they are both like.

Another idea...if you haven't finished your bachelors maybe once you figure out what Bachelors to MSN program etc that you want to do, if possible, try and squeeze in some of those science pre reqs in. That way they will be paid for with the first bachelors.

INN_777, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2013

Well, most of us who have prior degrees in unrelated fields, convert it to nursing by taking an accelerated BSN program (typically 12-15 months). But if you don't want another Bachelors, there are programs that go from unrelated Bachelors to MSN (they are longer, however).

I am applying to accelerated BSN programs right now and have not dived deep into financial aid yet (need to get into a program first), but my initial understanding is most financial aid (scholarships) are available for first degree students, not second degree:( I think they think we already have an education, so...

peachshan, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2013

I have a previoius Bachelors degree and will be starting my BSN program in January. I decided to go for the BSN program because I just reading on here and doing research, I learned that having a BSN makes you competitive. As far as financial aid, my school only granted me loans. I am going to look for some scholarships to help with the cost. Hopefully, this helps and good luck!

Stargirl_nyc · Oct 14, 2013

Hmm I am in a similar boat. I am a junior in college getting a BS in biology, minor in chemistry. I only have 3 semesters left to get the degree so switching now to a BSN degree isn't possible. I know I want to be a nurse but don't know how to go about it. Should I

get an MSN? I don't need another bachelors especially since the fields are so related. Could anyone provide any advice or thoughts? I'd really appreciate it.

ellaballet · Oct 14, 2013

The associate degree programs I looked into actually would take longer than the accelerated BSN programs! If you haven't taken any of the prereqs for the ABSN programs that might not be the case, I graduated with a BS in Biomedical Sciences and all of the community college programs around me wouldn't accept transfer credits.

Personally I'm having a lot of problems with financial aid. Its not looking like I'm going to get much, for some reason the fafsa still considers me a dependent student even though on my parents taxes I'm not a dependent. Heres hoping I get some good scholarships and grants lol.

schnookimz · Oct 14, 2013

Unless you have 50k+ to spend for the accelerated BSN, I would say associates is the way to go and then a cheap quick RN to BSN like western govenors.

ellaballet · Oct 14, 2013

Hmm I am in a similar boat. I am a junior in college getting a BS in biology, minor in chemistry. I only have 3 semesters left to get the degree so switching now to a BSN degree isn't possible. I know I want to be a nurse but don't know how to go about it. Should I
get an MSN? I don't need another bachelors especially since the fields are so related. Could anyone provide any advice or thoughts? I'd really appreciate it.

I was pretty much the same major/minor and looked into direct entry programs. Many of the nurse practitioners all said go for the BSN first, get some experience as a nurse, and then go back for the doctorate. I ultimately chose the BSN over a direct entry program just because I really want to be a nurse and the job of a NP is pretty different. Maybe its something I'll do eventually. A few people I graduated with went on straight to entry NP programs and PA programs and are loving it though! Maybe talk to some direct entry students or try to shadow a NP to see if thats what you'd like to do?

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Oct 15, 2013

Unless you have 50k+ to spend for the accelerated BSN, I would say associates is the way to go and then a cheap quick RN to BSN like western govenors.

$50k ????? I am in an accelerated BSN program at a state university and it will cost me $20k+ books/uniform.

It would have taken me longer to go the ASN route (my gen ed credits are too old for them) than the ABSN route, plus hospitals are preferring BSN new hires or BSN within 5 yrs of hire.

Associate's= 4 semesters of nursing classes

Accelerated BSN= 4 semesters of nursing classes

INN_777, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2013

Agree with Don1984. State schools, at least here in CT, are $18-25K (plus fees and books etc). But even if you had to pay $50K for a private, I still think it is better than going the Associate route. ABSN is 1 year. Associate is 2 years plus you will have to get a BSN later anyway (via RN to BSN) because most hospitals now require it - so plus another year = 3 years. And you will have to pay for the RN to BSN - so that takes away any cost advantage of the Associate route. Does not make sense to me. Now, if you want to go straight to MSN -that makes more sense, but those programs are usually longer and more expensive.

INN_777, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2013

Or you can just get a job in HR in the healthcare industry. Work for a while and then, who knows, maybe they will pay for you to go to Nursing school (speaking totally hypothetically on the last one).

ShelbyaStar · Oct 15, 2013

I am similar. I have a BS in animal science. There are no accelerated programs near me. I thought I'd still be able to shave a good year off but the BSN program I'm in right now is very picky about you do this at this time and there's no way around it. At least they took many of my old credits so I'm taking a lighter load, but if I continue on this path I will still be at it another 4 years.

I will apply to this BSN program but also an accelerated, predominantly online BSN out of Oshkosh. It will be very expensive though if I do that (it's $45k) and I will have to spend a couple weeks in Oshkosh at some point which is about a 10 hour drive from where I live. And I'm not sure at this point if they will be able to set up clincals in my area so I'm not sure it will be doable in the end.

$50k is a lot of money to come up with, but I figure I will spend almost that much on the 4 year track, and that's 2-3 years of lost potential income. For those of you that say you are in a much cheaper accelerated program, I'd love to know where you're at as I did not have any luck finding any.

I can't speak much for aid. Fortunately my parents paid for my first degree so this is my first time applying for aid. I am concerned what will happen if I don't get into a program the first try, and whether it's even possible to get $50k for the accelerated program. Private loans are an option but expect to pay more in interest. If finances are a big concern I would probably start with an associate's. Sometimes if you get hired with that employers will help you with financing your BSN.