Obtaining BSN with RN and BS in Biology

[ecualum91]

So I have a few questions that I am hoping someone here might know the answer to. In short, I have bachelors degrees in both Biology and Chemistry, and have taken all the general nursing pre-requisites (A&P, micro, statistics, dev. psych, med term, etc.)

I was initially considering accelerated second degree BSN programs but decided against these since they are so expensive, and opted to do an associates RN program that starts this August. Afterwards, I would really like to get a masters or even doctorate degree to become a Nurse Practitioner, but I am hearing that it is much harder to get into these programs with just an ADN versus a BSN.

So my question is this - being that I have already taken so many classes for my previous bachelors degrees, after completing the two year nursing program, about how many classes would I need to get a BSN? Might it be possible to enroll somewhere that will just let me take the few extra classes that I need for my BSN? I just haven't heard of programs for this situation specifically, though I imagine they would be out there. I really appreciate any info anyone might be able to provide!

Thanks for reading.

[Nature_walker, ASN, BSN, RN]

I'm in that boat now. I have a ADN and a previous bachelor's in another area. I only need a few nursing classes to get my BSN. You would want to look for a RN to BSN program. They are out there and if you can transfer you previous credits from your other degree, you might only need the nursing classes. That's what I'm in the process of doing now. Good luck!

[Extra Pickles]

So I have a few questions that I am hoping someone here might know the answer to. In short, I have bachelors degrees in both Biology and Chemistry, and have taken all the general nursing pre-requisites (A&P, micro, statistics, dev. psych, med term, etc.)

I was initially considering accelerated second degree BSN programs but decided against these since they are so expensive, and opted to do an associates RN program that starts this August. Afterwards, I would really like to get a masters or even doctorate degree to become a Nurse Practitioner, but I am hearing that it is much harder to get into these programs with just an ADN versus a BSN.

So my question is this - being that I have already taken so many classes for my previous bachelors degrees, after completing the two year nursing program, about how many classes would I need to get a BSN? Might it be possible to enroll somewhere that will just let me take the few extra classes that I need for my BSN? I just haven't heard of programs for this situation specifically, though I imagine they would be out there. I really appreciate any info anyone might be able to provide!

Thanks for reading.

You are an ideal candidate for a bridge program, that is, a program in which someone who holds a license as an RN (via an Associate degree) takes the relatively few "completer" courses required for a BSN. How many courses that will be depends on the school; some require a lot more, some a lot less. I've seen as few as 6 and as many as 12. Much will depend on what the school will accept as transfer credits from your previous degrees and how many they will want you to get from "their" school to graduate.

For now, if you can get accepted into an ASN/ADN program, DO it and complete the program in the typical 2 years. Once you've graduated, and (hopefully!) have passed the licensing exam, you can then enroll in an RN-to-BSN program. While your original nursing degree will be a hands-on, in-person school, the RN-BSN program might be either entirely online or partially online. Or, if you love classrooms, there's those routes too.

Good luck to you!

[Extra Pickles]

I'm in that boat now. I have a ADN and a previous bachelor's in another area. I only need a few nursing classes to get my BSN. You would want to look for a RN to BSN program. They are out there and if you can transfer you previous credits from your other degree, you might only need the nursing classes. That's what I'm in the process of doing now. Good luck!

You're in a better boat than the OP in that you are already an RN and therefore eligible to enroll in an RN-BSN program. The OP has to get into (and out of!) the ASN program first :)