Need help figuring out where to start! Alternatives to ABSN?

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Hi All!

I'm a first time poster here and I hope I'm in the right place! I am 26 years old and graduated with non nursing related degree 2 years ago. Honestly, I've wanted to be a nurse since before high school but lost my way and got all confused during college and didn't pursue it. I regret it, but I'm ready to right my mistakes now and have the goal of someday becoming an RN. I've been looking into all the different programs available and am trying to come up with a plan.

My first plan was / is to try to get into an accelerated 2nd degree BSN program

(http://www.bestnursingdegree.com/programs/accelerated-bsn/). However, I have about none of the pre reqs so I'll have to take all of those first, (which is fine!) and on top of that, I graduated with a 2.7 in my undergrad which is under almost all the minimum requirements for the nursing programs near me. So, if I go this route, I see it taking me several years before I can actually enter the workforce as an RN.

I would like to explore all of my options and it doesn't necessarily have to be the fastest way. Any insight or thoughts and advice would be SO appreciated! I'm so glad I came across this site, it's already been extremely helpful.

Thank You!

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If I'm understanding you right, you were wanting to do what's called a bridge program with a non-nursing degree. Bridge programs are for RN's with an associates degree who are going for their bachelors. You'd have to get your ASN first. :)

Also, if it were me I would go straight for your bachelors. It's so much more preferred in the job market. A lot of places wont hire associate degree RNs and if they do, the RN has to complete a bridge program within a certain amount of time. If your school offers a bachelors and associates program, apply to both. My school does and that's what I'm doing just so I can hopefully get in somewhere without having to transfer schools.

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Thank You!

I was looking into this program: Accelerated Second Degree BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) Programs. I looked into at several schools and they didn't mention anything about an associates degree, but I will look into that as another option.

Thanks!

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Thank You!

I was looking into this program: Accelerated Second Degree BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) Programs. I looked into at several schools and they didn't mention anything about an associates degree, but I will look into that as another option.

Thanks!

My fault. I totally didn't look at the link. Whoops. :)

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Specializes in NICU.

Look for ABSN programs that look at your GPA for all coursework or put more emphasis on the science pre-reqs. Since you haven't taken any of the pre-reqs, that would boost your GPA (if you get As). You might ask them if retaking some of you classes for a higher grade to improve your GPA would help. Even traditional nursing programs are competitive and most applicants above a 3.0 GPA.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Accelerated programs are very intense. They have very high GPA requirements because it takes a good bit of intellectual horsepower to keep up with the pace and GPA is the best indicator of that ability. Accelerated programs normally use 'cumulative' GPA from your previous degree.

Since you're basically starting from scratch, I would recommend going the generic route. There are many advantages. First of all, many traditional programs will base your GPA on your nursing pre-reqs, as opposed to total cumulative GPA ... so you have an opportunity to make sure that it is high enough.

The traditional route will enable you to maximize your learning... really focus on the material and master it rather than trying to memorize & cram just to pass tests. The result? A very solid foundation for your clinical education so you won't have to struggle as hard during these classes. Finally, a generic program is likely to be less expensive than most accelerated programs. Since you already have a bachelor's degree, it's unlikely that you will be eligible for any financial aid so this is probably going to be very important.

Nursing education is not "fast" or "easy". Many programs have a very high (~40%) drop out/ failure rate. Take it one step at a time, with the understanding that it is going to take ~ 4 years to achieve your goal. It may even take longer if you go for ADN & then bridge to BSN.

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Thank you so much, very helpful responses! I do like the idea of taking the traditional route over the accelerated route as I would like to do it right the first time and if that means it takes a few years longer, than so be it! As for going for the ADN first, that's something I'm looking into as well and am trying to figure out the benefits to doing that over going straight for the BSN (?).

I'm considering taking my pre-reqs at a community college and then applying for both and seeing which I get into.

Thanks again, you are all awesome for taking the time to respond! :)

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
If I'm understanding you right, you were wanting to do what's called a bridge program with a non-nursing degree. Bridge programs are for RN's with an associates degree who are going for their bachelors. You'd have to get your ASN first. :)

Also, if it were me I would go straight for your bachelors. It's so much more preferred in the job market. A lot of places wont hire associate degree RNs and if they do, the RN has to complete a bridge program within a certain amount of time. If your school offers a bachelors and associates program, apply to both. My school does and that's what I'm doing just so I can hopefully get in somewhere without having to transfer schools.[/Q

....

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Specializes in Medical, Oncology, Telemetry.

I'm in the same boat as you. I have a BFA and am going back to school for nursing. I also looked at accelerated programs, but they are sooooo expensive! I have decided to do a nursing program at a community college. The CC has a deal with a nearby university that students pursuing their ADN can begin an online BSN program after the first year of CC nursing school. So basically, I will be doing a crapload of school for my second year, but two years from now, I will have a BSN and not as much debt. This is another option you could look into. Also, the CC here doesn't have many prerequisites. Good luck!

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Specializes in Med/surg.

Hey There!

I personally didn't go through an Accelerated BSN program but from what I hear it is very intense! If you don't care to have a job during it, then maybe it can be done. I am not saying it's impossible to have a job while in the accelerated bsn program because nothing is impossible! Anyway, I know you said the route you choose doesn't have to be the fastest way. In this case, you can always apply to your local community college and take the necessary prerequisites. Then I would apply to the RN (ASN) program there! That way, you can talk to alot of people there who are in the same boat as you trying to get into the same program!

Check out this blog: educationstartsnow.blogspot.com It has some good information on it!

Maybe you can get your CNA certificate which is around 1 month long. And while you are working on your prerequisites, you can be working at your local hospital or nursing home as a CNA to see first hand what nurses do! You never know, this may turn you off from Nursing! Better to find out then, than while in nursing school!

After you graduate from the ASN program, you can begin working as a RN. Then you can apply for a RN-BSN program. Depending upon where you go, it can be a year program. Hope this helps!!

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