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Discussion

Nursing Program Question

Hi, I want to get my BSN, and am currently working on my prereqs. As I understood it, you first must have an Associates Degree, which includes the prereqs, such as Anatomy, Micro, etc. and then you can apply for the Nursing program, which lasts two years and is your core nursing classes. Once that is completed, you get your BSN.

Whats throwing me off, is that I'm currently at Long Beach City College, and I noticed they have a Nursing program, but it is for an Associates in Nursing. It throws me off, because it still has the same prereqs (anatomy, micro, etc.) and then an additional two years of nursing classes.

My question, I guess, is what is the difference between the two of them? I thought you just had to have an associates of any kind, as long as it has the science prereqs, then you can apply for the nursing program, do the two years, and get your Nursing Bachelors. Why bother with an associates? Or is that just a program they offer if you are just starting fresh and want nothing but nursing credits that goes towards your nursing degree?

I don't want to keep talking, so I don't throw people off. I'll just interact if there's confusion on what I'm asking. Thanks in advance.

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    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.

    An Associates is not always an LPN program. There are 2 year Associates RN programs.

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    I haven't seen an associates Lpn just a certificate program for Lpn. All the associate programs I've seen for nursing is adn.

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    In your current position, what would be the advantage of you getting a BSN?

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    • Author
    Maybe in some cases, but at many schools an LPN is a certificate program, while an RN can be obtained with an associate degree as well as a bachelor's degree. I graduated from an ADN program a year ago and am currently working as an RN.

    In your current position, what would be the advantage of you getting a BSN?

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    Working in a hospital

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    In your current position, what would be the advantage of you getting a BSN?

    In my current position, I don't think a BSN will offer me much of an advantage. However, I want to move into a specialty position (neonatal intensive care) and the management in that unit prefers BSNs. I'm currently working on my BSN as I think it will offer me more flexibility in the future.

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    In my current position, I don't think a BSN will offer me much of an advantage. However, I want to move into a specialty position (neonatal intensive care) and the management in that unit prefers BSNs. I'm currently working on my BSN as I think it will offer me more flexibility in the future.

    So not having your BSN won't hold you back from getting paid as much as an RN that does have it? Essentially saying that a BSN is only good if you want to move on the NP or PA or something else?

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    Sorry, your wrong. If you want to be smart about it, you would go to a community college first to get yourprerequisites

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    Sorry, your wrong. If you want to be smart about it, you would go to a community college first to get yourprerequisites

    I'm sorry can you clarify who is wrong? There were 21 other posts before yours.

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    So not having your BSN won't hold you back from getting paid as much as an RN that does have it? Essentially saying that a BSN is only good if you want to move on the NP or PA or something else?

    Hi BK21,

    Pay is basically the same between the two for entry level nursing. Many hospitals are looking more for the BSN but that depends entirely on your geographical area. Nurses do not get their BSN just to move on to NP. It is valuable in itself if your goal is to work in a specialty area such as L&D, PICU, etc.. Essentially a broader experience. As for PA- that is apples to oranges and one is not a stepping stone to another. :)

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    • Author
    Hi BK21,

    Pay is basically the same between the two for entry level nursing. Many hospitals are looking more for the BSN but that depends entirely on your geographical area. Nurses do not get their BSN just to move on to NP. It is valuable in itself if your goal is to work in a specialty area such as L&D, PICU, etc.. Essentially a broader experience. As for PA- that is apples to oranges and one is not a stepping stone to another. :)

    Thanks for the response. If I already have an Associates Degree, without the Anatomies, Micro's etc. can I just take those and then get into a Nursing program? It would only be another 2 years from there to get my BSN, right?

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    Many programs require you to take the prerequisite courses, such as A&P, college algebra, Stats, etc., before applying to the nursing program. Whether or not you have a previous degree is irrelevant if you don't have the necessary prereqs required for the nursing program you're applying to. Prereqs usually are 1-2 years of classes, and then the nursing classes, depending on whether you're doing an ADN or BSN program, can be 2-3 years.

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