In limbo between Pre-nursing and Nursing..where to go from here?

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Specializes in Mental & Behavioral Health/Geriatrics.

I just recently finished my pre-reqs for the Nursing program at the Technical College I am attending with a GPA of 4.0. I am thrilled to be finished and recently spoke to my advisor who sent me the materials to begin studying for the Kaplan exam at the top of next year. I also just recently got my CNA certification (but cannot find a job with no experience..will save that one for another post!) However, I am not at all thrilled about this 7-8 month limbo I will be in before actually starting classes. From the looks of things, I wlil not be finished with my ASN until about 2015 or close to it. I am 22 years old and cannot fathom a two year degree taking that long. I have long-term plans to become a Nurse Practitioner but am having a hard time deciding whether or not to transfer to a 4-year university to finish my degree. It just makes sense that if I am going to spend two more years in school, I might as well be receiving a BSN at the end of that education. I do not have Chemistry/Physics, so that is hindering me from being accepted into many 4-year programs. What is the most practical way to go about getting my BSN in my situation before going on to obtain an MSN? I do not want to finish my ASN only to take almost two more years to finish the BSN in 2015 after receiving the ASN--I have been patient thus far, but that is beyond reason for me. I wish I had went the traditional route, but I transferred to a local technical college after completing the first two years at a University (Sadly, most of the classes were not transferrable to my current school, and I felt the route I am taking now would be quicker). Should I take the other random "Gen-ed" classes I would need to finish the Bachelors and then transfer to a University while in the nursing program? Any insight would be helpful and much appreciated!!

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Did you take your big 3 sciences yet?

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I was in a similar situation a few years back and had similar goals. I transferred to the university and had to finish the prerequisites for that school. Fortunately, with a good GPA I was able to get into the BSN program on my first try and I was not delayed too much longer. I am happy with my decision because having BSN behind your name is pretty satisfying. Also, since many states are considering requiring a doctorate (DNP) for nurse practitioner, it will be better in the the long run to have a BSN because I know you can do a DNP program with a Bachelors, but I'm almost positive an ASN will not get you into a Master or Doctorate program.

I would take into consideration the acceptance policy for both schools. If the university has a waiting list and you know you are already guaranteed a spot at your current school, I would stay put and just do an ASN-BSN bridge program (they even have them online). However, if the university goes off of GPA above all and you are confident you can keep a high GPA even after the other prerequisites, and get in on the first try, then that is definitely what I would do. I have a lot of friends who only have their ASN and that is all they need, but if you want to ultimately become a nurse practitioner then shoot for BSN and don't waste any more time at tech school. Hope this helps.

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First of all - congrats on your 4.0 for your prereqs...thats a lot of hard work that you put into getting that.

I just finished my last prereq, as well (also with a 4.0) and also have to wait 8 months (as least) before starting in my ADN program. I will be 26 when I start the program, and am also looking at going on to get an advanced practice degree. A few months ago I looked at transferring to a nearby university which offers a BSN (as it would have taken only 1 semester longer than the ADN program will), but because of financing I ended up needing to stay where I am at.

As far as what you should do, however, that is something only you can decided...altho I completely understand asking for advice. Personally, if you have the financial resources to go for the BSN (or the willingness to take out a student loan if need be) then I would say go for the BSN. However, if you want to go for the NP right away after you get your BSN, then it might be a good idea to think about getting the ADN and working as an RN while you complete the BSN...this would most likely take care of any experience requirements a NP program might have (this is what I will end up doing).

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Why not take courses that pertain to the BSN during your 7 to 8 month gap between now & starting the RN program? That's what I'm doing. I am also going to take courses towards the BSN during the summer breaks from the RN program. By the time I'm done with my RN, I'll only have 2 nursing courses plus all the clinicals and leadership courses remaining for the BSN. It will only take 14 months to finish once the BSN is complete.

Even BSN programs take longer than 4 years to complete, due to all the pre-reqs required. It typically takes about 5 years to complete a BSN from start to finish. It can take even longer if you have to play a waiting game with admission to the program. There are many RN to BSN bridge programs at highly regarded universities that are designed for working RNs to complete their BSN part-time while continuing to work. I think that's the best of both worlds :)

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While waiting to start my nursing classes I took some classes that would be applied to my RN to BSN program.

Have you taken ALL the classes needed for the RN program or just the pre-reqs(electives, sociology, psych etc)? If you haven't taken all your classes needed to graduate the RN program I'd suggest getting some of those out before you start your nursing classes. If you have I'd go with my other suggestion of doing some of the BSN classes in your time lag of between now and when you start the nursing program. Not only will doing that chip away at the classes needed for the BSN, it will also keep you in the swing of things in regards to school. I know for myself, I have always taken classes in every semester (including our winter break and summer) because if I stop the school momentum I'll start losing motiviation haha.

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

I agree with what everyone else has said: take prereqs that will eventually apply to your BSN program that you choose.

But, I must ask, what nursing program doesn't require chemistry? I'm doing an ADN then bridging to MSN, but I've never heard of any nursing program allowing you to get your RN without chemistry.

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But, I must ask, what nursing program doesn't require chemistry? I'm doing an ADN then bridging to MSN, but I've never heard of any nursing program allowing you to get your RN without chemistry.

My school (ADN) only requires high school level chemistry.

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But, I must ask, what nursing program doesn't require chemistry? I'm doing an ADN then bridging to MSN, but I've never heard of any nursing program allowing you to get your RN without chemistry.

My ADN program I am applying to does not require chemistry.

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I agree with what everyone else has said: take prereqs that will eventually apply to your BSN program that you choose.

But, I must ask, what nursing program doesn't require chemistry? I'm doing an ADN then bridging to MSN, but I've never heard of any nursing program allowing you to get your RN without chemistry.

Plenty programs don't require college level chemistry. The program I'm in required high school Chem, and several other programs in the are don't require chem. I live in NY

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

Good to know. Thanks for the responses. All schools around here require college level chem and some require organic chem.

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Specializes in Mental & Behavioral Health/Geriatrics.

Yes, I am finished with all sciences--4.0 GPA, so I spoke to an advisor who said my chances of getting in are extremely high. I am currently studying for Kaplan in February.

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