I'm almost finished in my degree and I wanted to be with nurse instead, I need help

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I'm only 23 credits shy of graduating with a psychology degree and kept going to finish it, but I don't want to get a masters in psychology or a PhD program. I wasn't really happy about my degree and I was already having doubts, but because my campus is a branch campus, I didn't want to change it at first because the cost to go to the main branch is extraordinarily large. I learned during COVID that I really wanted to be a nurse instead, however, and I fell in love with it. 

I'm not sure what to do because my degree is almost done. The campus I'm on currently has a BSN accelerated program for second bach, is it possible I can apply after graduation or am I stuck with a bachelor's in psych? 

Im not sure what to do. I'm genuinely unhappy with my degree I'm currently going to hold. 

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Some schools will allow you to start an ABSN with a sufficient number of credits (not necessarily a completed degree). It can't hurt to ask your school if that is an option. Have you completed the prereqs for the nursing program already?

If you're sure you want to switch to nursing, I would suggest spending some time researching what programs are available near you or somewhere you are willing to relocate for school. Look at transferring to BSN programs, ABSN, and community college programs. Some people are less willing to consider CC if they have lots of credits already, but in general it is a practical and economic way to get into nursing. Do a little research into what hospitals are looking for in your area, but in many places nurses with ADNs and BSNs work the same jobs for the same pay.

The downsides of finishing your current degree include limited loan options for a second bachelors degree, wasted $$ paying for the remaining 24 credits to get the degree you don't want, and more time spent pursing something you aren't really interested in. If nursing is really what you want to do, spend the time now to figure out how to start on that path instead of continuing on a path you don't want to be on.

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Specializes in oncology.
On 5/28/2021 at 2:58 PM, Brooke Lynne said:

I'm only 23 credits shy of graduating with a psychology degree

I just need confirmation that you are 23 credits shy of the 120 you need to graduate. Yes you still have  at least 2 semesters left. Go straight to your academic  advisor to discuss program change. It happens frequently

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2 hours ago, londonflo said:

I just need confirmation that you are 23 credits shy of the 120 you need to graduate. Yes you still have  at least 2 semesters left. Go straight to your academic  advisor to discuss program change. It happens frequently

I'm mostly done with the nursing requirements. I'm currently waiting on A&P2 and but I have most of the requirements. I'm currently going to try that! It's hard because my campus in particular doesn't deal with nursing other then as a second degree or as an ADN-to-bach. I'll get in contact with them asap!

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I have a bachelor's in psychology and a bachelor's in nursing (BSN) from a 2nd degree accelerated program. I started to feel in the end of my psych degree program that I wanted to be a nurse but I stuck with it because I was so close. 

I'm glad I did finish my psych degree because it would have been a huge waste of time and money to have been so close and not have earned the degree; I now have 2 degrees instead of 1. It has also served me well because I dealt with some additional hurdles in getting my RN licensed due to my past criminal record, and I always felt good about the fact that having my other degree to fall back on or continue my education in that field was available to me if I needed it. I did get my RN license eventually, and at the same time I don't regret finishing my BA in psych.

If I had quit 23 credits shy I would have kicked myself. 

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Specializes in Pre-nursing.

OP: what did you decide to do? 

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