Nursing Program Question

ATBStudent · Jun 29, 2014

A BSN degree is 2 years of prerequisites and general education and 2 years in a nursing program. At my school, you started as a "pre-nursing" major and then in your sophomore year you applied for the nursing program. From what I've seen, none of the programs in my area require an associates degree. But if you want a BSN then it's going to be more than just the standard pre-reqs and you probably won't be able to get it at a community college.

panic36 · Jun 29, 2014

I'm not entirely sure how your school works, but here an associates isn't needed to go into a BSN program. Here however, to reduce the amount money spent on their nursing degree, people will go to a community college and get their ADN so they can get their RN, and then transfer to a 4 year university that has an RN to BSN program. I think this way is a bit longer, but cheaper. Others here spend about 1.5 years to 2 years finishing their prereqs, ours are ( Anat, Physio, Microbio ) English Comp, Statistics, and a communication course. It really depends on your school on what they allow, and what isn't.

Your best bet is to weigh all your options with a an academic councilor by creating an education plan that will get you to your goals that fit your financial and time restrictions.

(Oh, and I go to LBCC so what I said applies with the mixture of CSULB's continued RN-BSN, and with their combined partnership between the two schools.)

Miss.LeoRN · Jun 30, 2014

There are two types of Nursing Programs. Associates and Bachelors. There are pre-req's required for EITHER program. With a BSN program you take you pre-req's and apply, then graduate the program with a BSN. With an ADN program, you take your pre-req's and apply, then graduate the program with an ADN. You can then get your RN licence and apply for an RN to BSN program to get yourself a BSN. Some programs have similar or the same pre-req's irregardless to being BSN or ADN.

Programs that usually require you to have an Associates or Bachelor's in any OTHER field or degree other than Nursing are usually accelerated programs. For those, the same process applies: Pre-req's, apply, then graduate with an ADN or BSN depending on the type of program you enrolled in, plus you have to have the corresponding degree in another field.

angikat · Jun 30, 2014

Prereqs usually almost give you an associate in art or an associate in science degree. Some have that before entering a nursing program (I do. I have an AS). After prereqs it's up to you whether you want an ASN=2 more years or BSN=4 more years. However there are accelerated programs for persons with degrees in other areas just as was already stated. There's actually several routes to ASN and BSN. I would speak to someone at my school if I were you because it's often better explained in person.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses. Angi/LPN (?RN)

BK21 · Jun 30, 2014

Thanks for the responses. It's still a little confusing, so I guess it would just be best to wait and talk with someone in person.

panic36 · Jun 30, 2014

As someone who lives in Cali, I'm going to say you're most likely going to want a BSN regardless of which route you go. If you utilize the LBCC RN program to get your ADN, you will then need to find a 4 year college that has a RN to BSN. Basically what you're doing is completing half of your BSN at a Community college, and half at a 4 year university. However, splitting it this way is a semester or two longer than simply joining a 4 year BSN right off the bat. Both will get you your BSN, but going directly to a BSN and doing the entire nursing program there you'd be paying much more than you most likely would be paying doing half of it at a community college.

I'm horrible at explaining things... I'm sorry lol.

RunBabyRN · Jun 30, 2014

I think what you're talking about is a prenursing associate's, which differs from a nursing associate's (ADN). I know at least one person has posted about getting this kind of associate's, thinking it was the same thing.

In order to transfer to a university, you DO NOT have to get an associate's either way. Should you choose to do your ADN, which you can do, you would be eligible to take the NCLEX to be an RN, and if you wanted to, you could bridge through a university to earn your BSN on top of that. In Long Beach and the surrounding areas, you'll want a BSN to be marketable. Also, CSULB has a 2 year BSN program, so it wouldn't take any longer than it would through a community college (they also have a 2.5 year BSN option).

Regardless of whether you choose ADN or BSN (or apply to both- it's wise to cast a wide net), you'll need to apply to each program in addition to the schools. The nursing programs will have their own application processes. In either case, you'll be eligible to sit for the same NCLEX.

I hope that makes sense! :)

loriangel14, RN · Jun 30, 2014

You do not need an Associates degree before a BSN.

panic36 · Jun 30, 2014

What I've recommended a lot of my friends do who go to LBCC is do a Plan A/B hybrid. The councilor you speak to will probably want you to decide what route you want to go, but leaving your options open will definitely help because you will probably want to get into the nursing program you get accepted to. There are so many people getting rejected, so if you go the ADN route at a community college, you could actually complete quicker than waiting for a 4 year to give you acceptance. I've also heard ( this is rumor, I never actually verified the information ) that the RN to BSN program is actually far less competitive compared to the direct to BSN program, so it's really hard to say what option is the best route. If you get accepted to both I'd choose CSULB, if you don't get accepted there but get into LBCC, I would accept the offer.

Don't confuse any of this with pre-nursing. You cannot apply to the ADN or BSN program without the prereq's from being completed. To see all the classes you'll need from CSULB I'd utilize assist.org for an articulation agreement. I also believe that since CSULB is impacted you have to complete all the recommended courses as well as the core prereqs, but once again I could be wrong lol.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 30, 2014

I've never come across a BSN program that requires an associate's degree of any kind. Many times, you have to take so many pre-reqs for both the ASN & BSN that you earn enough credits to get an associate's degree before you even get in to nursing school (whether you choose to pursue an ASN or BSN)

You'll need to check with your individual program for exact requirements, since they differ from school to school.

a0646504 · Jun 30, 2014

the difference between the two of them, is that the associates is an LPN (licensed Practical Nurse) and the bachelors is a RN degree. Now a days LPNS are finding it VERY difficult to find a job, because many hospitals and nursing homes are only accepting RNs.