Nursing as a Second Degree

Bicster · Sep 22, 2008

You noted yourself that every school is different. This makes answering your question difficult. As far as time, cost, etc.....you need to look at all the programs you are thinking about and make a spreadsheet. Whatever one looks best for you, go with.

francazeau · Sep 22, 2008

Hi there,

I know that you have a Master's degree but you might need to take some pre-reqs such as chemistry, anatomy and physiology and microbiology. Your best bet would be to go to your local community college and speak to a counselor about what classes you would need to take in order to apply for the nursing program. They can give you a general idea.

If you live in Ca, the community colleges have a two year program and are just $20.00 per unit. Makes it very affordable. You will graduate with an associates degree in nursing and once you start working you can go back to school for a bachelors degree and have your employer pay for it. The drawback with the community colleges is the long waiting lists. However, if you can afford to do an accelerated program, go for it.

As for me, I have a B.A. in psychology and attending my local community college for an associates degree in nursing.

Good luck to you! :nurse:

wannabmidwife · Sep 23, 2008

Hi,

I have a masters degree in education and I've decided to go with an associates degree because it's going to be quicker and cheaper. I can always go back to school at a later date and get my BSN online with the hospital paying for it. Good luck.

msdeannah · Sep 23, 2008

same here

ba, english

ms, management

applying to asn programs in CT because they are the most affordable but also the most competitive, so I am also apply to state college bsn programs as a transfer student as a back up. Since I have most general ed requirements done (with my ba) it will still probably only take 2 - 2.5 years to complete.

penelopelp · Sep 24, 2008

I have two Bachelor's degrees--unrelated to nursing.

I am going to apply to both the local university for accelerated BSN and the community college. The cc has a long waitlist, but is cheaper. Either way, your goal is to be a RN.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 24, 2008

i have a ba and an mba. i too took the adn route and am graduating soon. i paid cash for my education and will be working as a rn in a few months (once i pass my nclex and get my license, of course). i am also in the rn-bsn program locally because i was accepted early (i am paying cash for that too because unlike a traditional bsn or accelerated bsns i can afford a rn-bsn program and i am able to go at my own pace - fast or slow). gl! :up:

benegesserit · Sep 24, 2008

Normal BSN programs will take 2-3 years after prerequisites depending on the program. Normal ASN programs will take 2 years. Prerequisites for a BSN program may take a semester longer than for ASN, depending on what you have already.

There are accellerated BSN programs for people who already have a Bachelor's degree which will get you through a BSN in one year (after prerequisites). This would obviously be the quickest option, and less expensive than a normal BSN from the same college, though not necessarily less than an ASN.

As for which is easier to get into... it all just depends on the program and their entrance requirements. Not all community college programs in California are waitlist. Some are competitive, and some are a lottery of all qualified applicants.

Personally, it looks like it'll be easier for me to get into a BSN program in my part of California (Sacramento area) than a community college, because the BSN programs receive less applicants and put a heavier weight on the TEAS test score than the community college programs, and I did very well on the TEAS. But that's not going to be true for everyone, or in all areas of the state.

From what I've seen on these forums, getting into a school in Maryland would probably be easier, but California has about the lowest college costs in the country.

WantAccel.BSN, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2008

I have a degree in psych, but I'm working in social work and totally feel your pain about wanting to get out of the field. My head is literally spinning from the day I had today. Crisis after crisis after crisis. Did I mention all the paperwork that I'm still working on at 10:30pm at night?!?

I'm personally going for an accelerated BSN. Psychologically, it makes me feel better about already having a degree. I'm about the same age as you (26), and am really feeling the desire to be done and to get on with my life. Although that isn't exactly happening...I'm only taking a class at a time with the pre-reqs. so I can continue to work full-time, and it is happening at a snail's pace. I know I won't be able to work when I'm in the accelerated BSN program, so I need to save all the money I can, while I can.

That said, the ADN programs are a good option if you can get in. Some of the CCs around me have really bizaree ways of ranking applicants (for example, one does a "point" system, but I get ZERO points for having a prior degree, ZERO points for my GPA and ZERO points for my multiple years of work experience. It is seriously jacked up).

One thing that I have discovered in this process is that ALL schools are drastically different in their requirements and admissions process. Alot of people on these boards have commented on just how frustrating that is.

The only real advice I can give it to look at the schools around you, and figure out which one is the most appealing given your particular circumstances.

Good luck to you and all you other second degreers out there!!

Jenrose15 · Sep 25, 2008

I have a B.S. in chemistry. I want to be a nurse since I was little. I am glad to have my B.S. in chemistry and went through the four years of college because those four years gave me insight to who I am and what I really want in life.

ED4liFe · Sep 26, 2008

I'm in somewhat the same position. I have a BA in English and am aiming for an RN cert. I found this link helpful; it has a PDF of accelerated BSNs throughout the US:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/FactSheets/AcceleratedProg.htm

These BSNs are specifically intended for people already having a baccalaureate. Some of the schools include a master's option in a nursing speciality. If it's a concern, one thing is to check a school you're interested in against that state's Board of Nursing's list of accepted educational programs. I found a few listed schools were in "provisional status only," which could make one rethink a particular school.

I've not looked at MD at all, but I did check out CA a bit and it seemed to me that CA schools have more hoops than those of other states. It's either an entrance test or what seemed to be additional prerequisites.

I've found the standard prerequisites seem to be: A&P (probably 3 links); a Bio that includes genetics (which may or may not fall within A&P); Microbiology; Nutrition; a Psych that covers lifespan development; and some level of Math, which seems to be at least through Algebra 3, and sometimes also includes Statistics. It's a lot, isn't it? Especially considering that these classes themselves often have prerequisites.

Once you've completed what prerequisites you yet need, which I think can most cost effectively be taken at a community college, you could do an accelerated BSN or an associate degree RN at a community college in roughly the same amount of time--~2 years. The question would be if you have the funds, or the ability to get loans, for an accelerated BSN. It appears a BSN will garner you higher wages than an associate degree RN, so if you're able to get the loans you'd be better off post-BSN.

I have found that because I have a BA already, the only financial aid I seem to be eligible for now would be loans. If anyone has different info. re this, please let me know. Accelerated BSNs are pricey, and one is "strongly discouraged" from working during them, so it seems it would all hinge on one's current financial strength. If you have a lot of debt service already, as I do, getting to that RN cert. by any route can seem quite daunting.

You may know much of this already, but perhaps there's something useful for you here.

I'd be interested to hear what you choose.

penelopelp · Sep 26, 2008

You might want to really look into whether a BSN will get you higher wages than a ADN. Where I live, the salary for a beginning RN is the same. The BSN becomes an advantage for certain supervisory positions, desk jobs, or if you want an advanced degree.

You are right that you would only qualify for loans if you already have your Bachelor's degree. However, there are scholarships available, and there are hospitals who will agree to pay for the degree if you promise them a certain number of years.

I hope to get an entry-level job with the local teaching hospital, and then get them to pay for my BSN if I agree to work for them. If I don't get into the university, I'll get on the waiting list for the cc, and probably work part time while taking classes.