Need Your Opinion: ASN or BSN?

labrador4122, RN · Jun 6, 2010

If I were you, I would go to FAU website and look at their pre-reqs list.

when I was applying to nursing schools, I saw that there is no waiting list, and they take applicants only once a year in the fall term.

And also, I would apply to both schools. Just in case something happens, and FAU doesn't take you in, you have a back up school.

*Muffin* · Jun 6, 2010

If I were you, I would go to FAU website and look at their pre-reqs list.
when I was applying to nursing schools, I saw that there is no waiting list, and they take applicants only once a year in the fall term.
And also, I would apply to both schools. Just in case something happens, and FAU doesn't take you in, you have a back up school.

Thanks for your response. I didn't see anything on their site that spoke of or against a waiting list for their traditional nursing program, but I will check and see again.

labrador4122, RN · Jun 6, 2010

Thanks for your response. I didn't see anything on their site that spoke of or against a waiting list for their traditional nursing program, but I will check and see again.

When I looked at the school a few years back, I also called the school and got info by regular mail. so that could be a good start too. or even drive over to the school and see what other info you can get.

I did that with UM, MDC, UCF, FIU --- with NSU, & BC & Manatee CC I got all my info online.

labrador4122, RN · Jun 6, 2010

http://nursing.fau.edu/uploads/docs/777/091631%20Nursing%20Traditional_FINALFORWEB_03.18.10.pdf

this is from the FAU site, under the brochure link. the deadlines to apply are there, and as well as what happens if they have too many applicants for the semester.

parks238 · Jul 13, 2010

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*Muffin* · Jul 13, 2010

I was planning to go to FAU and though about nursing...attended for two-years as a Sociology Major and then considered switching to Nursing, but the nursing students I know at school said about 700 people apply each year and only 30 are accepted -- I'm unsure if this is a valid number, but that's what I was told; as they were already in the program, I doubt they were trying to tell me this to keep me from applying to the upper-division program after completely the pre-reqs as I wouldn't have been in-competition w/ them.
I decided to go to PBSC and will finally be starting clinicals in the fall. PBSC will be starting an RN-BSN program in Fall 2011 (i'm told), and FAU's RN-BSN program is unlimited access. Several of the nurses I work with at the nursing home are in the RN-BSN program at FAU and have told me it's very simple and worthwhile...plus no real application process and no waiting list for the RN-BSN program -- all you need is an active RN license without restrictions and a 2.75 GPA.
GL! :)

Thank you for your input. I've been seriously considering whether or not I should go straight for my BSN or take the ASN route first. The ASN route is probably more feasible because it is cheaper and allows greater flexibility of scheduling. I have the choice of going to school full-time or part-time. Realistically, I could probably get done with the BSN program in a similar amount of time as the asn program (I'll be getting my AA degree soon and then all I would need is two more years in a BSN level nursing program and ASN programs are usually 2 years in length as well), but the cost and time expended is probably more manageable in an ASN program.

jdfflats · Jul 14, 2010

You will most likely need A&PII w/lab & MCB w/lab for PBSC also. The point system they use gives 3 points for each APII & Micro, which you will need to get accepted. Also, it is next to impossible to add those classes to your 1st semester course load.

Regarding the FAU numbers - I heard the same thing from an admissions clerk and other students in the program, it is extremely "competitive".

Good Luck in whatever you choose to do. :)

*Muffin* · Jul 15, 2010

You will most likely need A&PII w/lab & MCB w/lab for PBSC also. The point system they use gives 3 points for each APII & Micro, which you will need to get accepted. Also, it is next to impossible to add those classes to your 1st semester course load.
Regarding the FAU numbers - I heard the same thing from an admissions clerk and other students in the program, it is extremely "competitive".
Good Luck in whatever you choose to do. :)

Yeah, for PBSC's nursing program I still need to take Human Growth & Development, Microbiology w/lab and Anatomy & Physiology II w/lab, but Microbiology and Anatomy II are co-requisites, so all I would have to do is take Human Growth to finish my prereqs. What really messes me up with PBSC is their testing schedule. For some reason I thought that the advisor told me that the opening day for sign-up for the NLN pre-admission exam was June 8, but it opened up june 1st, and by the time I figured that out all the seats were filled :mad: . I was beyond livid. And I can only schedule to take that exam once every six months so that sets me back a year, so I'm looking into other schools. Broward College's nursing program requires less prereqs that PBSC's program. All I would have to take is A&PII, I don't think they require microbiology or if they do it's a co-req. So what I'm going to do is this coming semester I will be taking A&PII w/lab and Human Growth and development and take the Hesi exam. If I don't get accepted into Broward's program I will take Microbiology and College Algebra the following semester and try out for PBSC and Miami-Dade

As for FAU, you're right. They are very competitive, and I'm not a fighter, lol. I'm leaning toward the ASN route and I could always do RN-BSN. I hear the bridge programs are less competitive.

lina.561 · Nov 19, 2010

Hi Muffin, I know this was from July... But I have a question for you..

You said at first you were set to enter in ASN program at PBSC.

I would like to do this. I have my CNA. I do not have any college education, Do you think there is a way for me to get the general education out of way, without a "time Limit" before I start on my pre-reqs??

lina.561 · Nov 19, 2010

"time limit"- Pre-reqs have a 5 year or 10 year time limit.

*Muffin* · Nov 24, 2010

Hi Muffin, I know this was from July... But I have a question for you..
You said at first you were set to enter in ASN program at PBSC.
I would like to do this. I have my CNA. I do not have any college education, Do you think there is a way for me to get the general education out of way, without a "time Limit" before I start on my pre-reqs??

I'm not sure if I'm understanding your question correctly, but I'm going to try to answer the best I can. Palm Beach State College's ASN program is based on a point system. The more of the pre-reqs and co-reqs you get out of the way, the better. General education requirements for the program, I believe, are psychology, sociology, and your english courses, but math is not a requirement. For pre-reqs you must take A&P I w/lab, and Chemistry. The Co-reqs are A&P II w/lab and MCB w/lab, I believe. There really is no time limit to get these things done. You simply have to pay attention to the NLN exam deadlines, which is crucial. If you forget to register as soon as registration becomes active, the seats fill up and you have to wait another 6 months to register again (this happened to me, unfortunately). I wish I could tell you that you could clep out of certain classes in order to speed up the process, but PBSC does not accept CLEP credit for their nursing program. You have to have actually taken the class. It's good that you have your CNA certification because I believe that's an additional point on your application.

My advice is to start working on your general education courses first, then your pre-reqs, and then do as much of your co-reqs as you can before you apply to the nursing program. This will ensure that you get higher points on your application. If you go full-time, this whole process is said to take you about 3 years, 1 year of pre-reqs and 2 years in the nursing program.

P.S. The only courses that have a time limit are the sciences, and the time limit is 10 years.