2nd degree BSN worth it?

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Does already having another Bachelor's degree have any greater weight on being accepted versus students who do not have another degree? All of this is new to me and I am trying to figure out what makes more sense before applying to a Nursing school.

Thanks for any advice! :-)

I would say finish that degree. You are almost done. It is a big advantage for you in the BSN program. Dont transfer. I have a Bachelor of Science in Human Services. It hat diploma from your degree will be a big help as well.

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Some schools may not accept you if you already have a bachelor's. It's worth doing your research.

There are a lot of school that accept bachelor degrees. If you try going to a regular traditional BSN yes they will want your classes taken there. But there are many schools who are doing accelerated and and will accept your degree very well.

Some ADNs will too being that your general education is satisfied. Just complete the sciences. But who would want to do an ADNS when they have a bachelor degree already. You get a BSNS in the time or faster.

Call each school and get their requirements. That's the best way to find out.

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A key point to consider is that having a bachelors degree and continuing your studies will severely impact access to financial aid. This should factor into your decision as to whether to continue your current degree or switch to a nursing program. What I would suggest is to start taking the basic prerequisite courses for your nursing program (varies by Universities/Community Colleges) while still pursuing your undergraduate degree. Below is a somewhat typical list of prerequisites to enter a BSN program:

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Prerequisite

General Education Requirements (Must be taken prior to admission to the Nursing Program)

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Other Requirements

For Graduation (can be taken prior to admission or while in the Nursing Program)

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[/TR]

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[TD=align: left]Anatomy and Physiology I & II with labs[/TD]

[TD=align: left]Foundations of Global Citizenship (6)[/TD]

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[TD=align: left]Microbiology with lab[/TD]

[TD=align: left]Foundations of Creative Expression (6)[/TD]

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[TD=align: left]College Algebra or Math for Liberal Arts[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

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[TD=align: left]Statistics[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

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[TD=align: left]Chemistry with lab[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

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[TD=align: left]Nutrition[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

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[TR]

[TD=align: left]English Composition I & II[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

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[TD=align: left]6 hours: General Education Humanities[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

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[TD=align: left]Introduction to Sociology[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

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[TD=align: left]Introduction to Psychology[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

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[TD=align: left]Human Growth & Development through the Life Span[/TD]

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[/TABLE]

Once you have completed a bachelors degree, you will be limited to the number and type of financial aid you can get as a second degree candidate. You should stop by your Financial Aid Office to get a better understanding of this issue as you move forward. Also, a large number of Universities are now penalizing students who take more credits than what is typically required to satisfy a normal BS degree (~120 credits) and students have to pay a cost penalty for credits above and beyond a certain number of credits. This is due to a Federal/State push to have students finish their degree as quickly as possible. At any rate, get a first degree and then doing an accelerated program might be your best bet, along with taking the prerequisites while still an undergraduate and eligible for financial aid. Speak to your Academic Advisor (and Financial Aid Advisor) at your current institution to map out your best course of action.

You have to ask yourself if it is worth the cost and time to finish another year pursuing a degree that will have little or no value on your ultimate career goal.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.
But who would want to do an ADNS when they have a bachelor degree already. You get a BSNS in the time or faster.

For several reasons...Most Accelerated programs require you to have at least a 3.0 GPA to apply. Not everyone earned that when getting their first bachelors. Also ABSNs can be expensive and for some getting an ADN made better sense financially. Then they can do an RN-BSN later. Lastly, ABSNs are rigorous so not working is often encouraged. Many people still need to work while attending school, so the best option for them is to go the ADN route.

Sent via iPink's phone using allnurses

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Definitely check into the financial implications of finishing that first Bachelor's before doing so! It may make you ineligible for some forms of financial aid -- which may force you into taking out the worst kinds of loan that will cripple you financially for many years!

My advice is to not finish the 1st degree now ... but focus on getting the degree that will get you the job you want. Then, if you want to, you can finish that first degree one class at a time once you are working as a nurse. If you find that you don't want to invest any more in that first degree after you have your BSN, then you'll be glad you didn't waste time and money on it prior to nursing school.

Don't throw time and money away on a degree you don't plan to use. The opportunity to finish will be there (if you want to) after you are a nurse.

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For several reasons...Most Accelerated programs require you to have at least a 3.0 GPA to apply. Not everyone earned that when getting their first bachelors. Also ABSNs can be expensive and for some getting an ADN made better sense financially. Then they can do an RN-BSN later. Lastly, ABSNs are rigorous so not working is often encouraged. Many people still need to work while attending school, so the best option for them is to go the ADN route.

Sent via iPink's phone using allnurses

Understood. Now for ADN we can't even work during ADN here in Southern California. I would be an RN already. I haven't found any ADNs that would allow you to work.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

I know plenty of people that worked during their ADN program.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

I did an ABSN. It is not an advantage because you still have to take the exact same nursing classes as traditional. They feel you can handle 21 hours a semester because people have already proven they are capable students. Usually the minimum GPA on first degree is 3.0. And many are higher than that. It is quicker, but heck you already wasted 4 years getting the first bachelors. So actually "slower" than traditional.

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If you only have a couple months to go on your degree please do not stop and transfer. It will help you because when you go for another program your general education is satisfied.

Yes some universities will allow you to take select general education classes during the program but if you already have them, you can just focus on your nursing courses which is stressful enough.

I am enrolling into Western Governors University, they take the BSN for prelicensing. They do not offer the pre-reqs.

There are schools who will utilize your degree so you have to go to the school you wish to take your nursing program too and ask them personally. There will be alot of feedback and different inputs here.

Your degree willl not be a waste. Trust me. If you are too close to finishing, then Finish it. My high suggestion as a Degree Holder going to BSN soon.

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Wow. So much debate. I wish I could say I have my answer after posting this message.. BUT.. I believe I am even MORE confused. Lol. And I dont say that to make anyone mad. Thank you all for the different advice and input...

Here is what I will take from this posting:

Narrow my top choices of Nursing schools and contact them personally.

I will ask them about financial aid.

Ask if I can take pre-req's there (if needed).

Explain my situation and ask which program they recommend based on my current college coursework I have already completed.

AND ask an recommendation if it would be beneficial to complete my Bachelor's before applying.

That is basically where I will begin! I'll come back on here with updates once I speak with them. Hopefully they accept phone calls because the places I am interested in are in another state (I'm in a long distance relationship and will move to that state after I decided what to do!)

A genuine thank you to all of you! :-)

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