I'm pretty excited!

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jul 19, 2006

Congratulations and good luck!

Angel 3 · Jul 19, 2006

Congrats to you KScott, what did you get your first degree in if you don't mind me asking. I already have a BBA, and I was wondering if I should go through the RN program, or go straight to the BSN program. Thanks for any advice and good luck to you!!!:balloons:

KScott · Jul 19, 2006

Congrats to you KScott, what did you get your first degree in if you don't mind me asking. I already have a BBA, and I was wondering if I should go through the RN program, or go straight to the BSN program.

I just graduated in May with a BFA in Art (Painting). As you can imagine, I didn't have a whole lot of science in that degree. My psych class, math, comp 101 & 102, philosopy, and humanities classes all count towards my pre-reqs for the BSN, though.

I went to the community college thinking that would be the quickest route to an RN degree. However, I realized by the time I took the prereq required for the BIO 101 class, and the BIO 101 and 102 classes themselves, I was looking at three semesters, just for those. I went to my university and discovered, I was looking at 3 semesters, plus a summer session, to complete my pre-reqs there. The load will be much heavier within each semester, but since the difference - for me - in earning a BSN and the ADN, (I think that's the right acronym for the associates degree), is one summer session, (cost aside), I decided to go for the BSN.

My first semester as a pre-nursing student I have CHM 101, Conceptual Statistics, Health Care Organization and Human Development. Math is my weakest subject, so I thought I'd get it out of the way as early as possible while I'm still psyched. (I hear horror stories about statistics!) I think I can do it, though. One thing you learn being an artist is to start at the beginning and work your way to the end. When you're done, hopefully, you have something to be proud of. If not, you start over!

Good luck to you in whatever you decide!

Angel 3 · Jul 19, 2006

Thanks for the info. I would love to see some of your artwork. I enjoy painting as well. I will look into going straight for my BSN. That does sound a whole lot better in the long run. I am horrible at math. I took business statistics and got a B, but I think it's a lot harder for the nursing statistics. I've had all my basics including Psychology, Sociology, Human Growth, Eng Comp 1 & 2, and all my elective hours. I just have to take a lot of science and some math courses. Thanks again!!! :yeah:

LovesGreyhounds · Jul 20, 2006

I, too, am looking into this same thing! I have already started towards my associate's degree but have a meeting with an advisor tomorrow at a BSN school. I think you should definitely go for the BSN right away, in my opinion. I think what will happen is once we get out of school & start working, we won't want to think about going back for our bachelors right away, & time will slip away. And having your bachelors will open even more doors than having an associates degree too. Also, I think if the job came down between you & an associates degree nurse, they would pick you. So, since it's not that much longer, I think it would be dumb not to do the BSN right away myself.

Angel 3 · Jul 20, 2006

Thanks RenaeT, I am defenitely going to do that. I have already called the BSN program at the skill I'm thinking of attending to see what all I need to do. I have send them a transcript and once they receive that they will be able to tell me exactly what I need to do. I agree, this will be a much better path to take. Thanks for the info. & support!!!:w00t:

manofbess · Jul 21, 2006

Congratulations--it seems like all the stars were aligned in your favor! I understand your situation. I graduated with a BA two years ago. I majored in advertising, but I did take 2 semesters of chemistry, 2 semesters of stats, psych, and sociology, so some of my classes would have transferred over at the 4-year level. I looked at a BSN program in the area and decided that I would apply as a pre-nursing major if I didn't get into this particular school. I thought the odds would be against me--only 70 students get in each semester, it's a well-known hospital program, and there's a high pass rate on the NCLEX, so I just knew I would get waitlisted. However, I ended up getting an honors acceptance, so there is no way I'd pass that up. In addition, I just moved into this state and got all my important info (car insurance, license plate, license, apartment, etc.) put into my name or switched over from my home state in March, so I probably wouldn't qualify for in-state tuition at the 4-year school until summer 2007 at the earliest. My school charges the same tuition for all students, so it doesn't matter if you live in one state or the other. If not for that and if I had gotten waitlisted/rejected, I'd have definitely taken your route. That's a very strategic move and will save you time in the coming years. Best of luck...and congrats on the first degree! Nothing better than walking across the stage, huh? :)

KScott · Jul 21, 2006

However, I ended up getting an honors acceptance, so there is no way I'd pass that up. ...Best of luck...and congrats on the first degree! Nothing better than walking across the stage, huh? :)

Congratulations on your honors acceptance! That's great! As for walking across the stage... kids, wedding and graduating from college. What highs! Nothing compares...

Angel 3 · Jul 21, 2006

Congratulations--it seems like all the stars were aligned in your favor! I understand your situation. I graduated with a BA two years ago. I majored in advertising, but I did take 2 semesters of chemistry, 2 semesters of stats, psych, and sociology, so some of my classes would have transferred over at the 4-year level. I looked at a BSN program in the area and decided that I would apply as a pre-nursing major if I didn't get into this particular school. I thought the odds would be against me--only 70 students get in each semester, it's a well-known hospital program, and there's a high pass rate on the NCLEX, so I just knew I would get waitlisted. However, I ended up getting an honors acceptance, so there is no way I'd pass that up. In addition, I just moved into this state and got all my important info (car insurance, license plate, license, apartment, etc.) put into my name or switched over from my home state in March, so I probably wouldn't qualify for in-state tuition at the 4-year school until summer 2007 at the earliest. My school charges the same tuition for all students, so it doesn't matter if you live in one state or the other. If not for that and if I had gotten waitlisted/rejected, I'd have definitely taken your route. That's a very strategic move and will save you time in the coming years. Best of luck...and congrats on the first degree! Nothing better than walking across the stage, huh? :)

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I know that this will be the best route for me. And congrats on getting excepted with honors. That's awesome. Hopefully, I won't be too far behind you. Good luck in all that you do!!!

reese19 · Jul 22, 2006

I have a BA in journalism/English, and I'm going back for my ADN this fall. I was happy to find out that 19 credits from my first degree transferred, and I don't have to take any math classes to get my ADN! I actually opted for the associate's degree just because I wanted to finish earlier and start making a salary. And, in my case, I figured that I already had a bachelor's degree, so it didn't mean quite as much to me to get another bachelor's. However, at the school I'm attending, it would have taken quite a bit longer to finish with a BSN! So, I opted for the ADN.

It's good to read about others with degrees in the arts and advertising, etc., because sometimes I feel like I'm the only one with a bachelor's of ARTS who is going into nursing!

Best wishes to you!!

KScott · Jul 22, 2006

It's good to read about others with degrees in the arts and advertising, etc., because sometimes I feel like I'm the only one with a bachelor's of ARTS who is going into nursing!
Best wishes to you!!

Thank you and good luck to you!

If you remember, Leonardo da Vinci was quite interested in the arts AND sciences. So was Gericault. Heck, the words "Arts and Sciences" have been put together for years. I'm not a nurse, yet, but I've had a few good nurses and I'd say nursing is quite an art in itself. So, nothing strange about us at all! (Unless you ask my family. They think I'm strange! And Da Vinci and Gericault were pretty strange, too. Hmmm.... maybe, I should rethink this position... )