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Specializes in Family Clinic.

So I am cramming in my sciences ( A&P 1 and micro) for my prereq's next semester because I was told I was only 9 classes away from applying to the BSN program. Come to find out the summer program will only allow me to take one of my final two science classes (a&p 2 and biology2) at a time. SO I will be short Biology 2 for my application and they only have Fall entry into their nursing programs. I can easily apply for the ASN program because you are allowed to take those classes at the same time as others unlike their BSN program. But, that is not what I wanted. I went to this school specifically because they have a prelicensure BSN program and a 100% NCLEX PASS RATE.

In the real world what is the difference between an RN with an ASN vs a BSN.

I also have a healthcare mgt. associates and a human services associates and my CNA license but no healthcare experience yet. I only have volunteer services for a children protective services 501c and a little experience at a pharmacy benefits call center.

Would I be just as hirable as a BSN graduate?

I'm so lost and frustrated sorry to sound so disheveled.

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Does your school offer flex sessions? At my community college, you can take flex courses, that are back to back.

Otherwise, I'd just wait, or take classes that interest me.

As far as ASN vs BSN is one is a four year degree, and one isn't. How marketable each degree is depends on where you live. Where I live, hospitals want BSN educated nurses.

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Specializes in Family Clinic.

I'm taking 5 classes in spring: 2 sciences, a math, a psych, and an English. Then during summer I was supposed to finish up my last four classes (2 sciences, math and English) so that I would be eligible for the BSN program in Fall. Summer class scheduling is only allowing me to take one of my required sciences. Since I won't be able to do the last science I need I won't be eligible for the BSN program until the next year (18'-19'). Unless a professor decides to teach an extra science later in the day, I stack 3 sciences this spring, or they give me a waiver I will either be able to only apply to the ASN or take one class for the entire school year of 2017-2018 and apply again for the following year. The ASN program is Nursing 1, Nursing 2, Nursing 3, and Nursing 4 then graduate. The BSN is 15 assorted classes. If I switch to the ASN because of this one class, I could drop most of these classes I'm about to cram all in and take them with the nursing 1,2,&3 classes instead of being forced to have it all done before hand. I just feel like it is such a waste either way. I'll either waste an entire year or waste all the BSN prerequisite classes to only enter the ASN and have to come back and do the BSN later down the road.

If I do decide to do the ASN, I could drop a science this spring and not do any classes for the summer and find work as a night shift CNA and gain some experience before the nursing program kicks in. It will save me money on full time childcare for 3 kids but I will have to give up having a BSN. I'm talking this through with myself as well so I hope I'm making sense to you guys too.

I honestly have no idea what to do.

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I would slow down.

I'm applying for Spring 2018. Would I rather jump all up in my classes and just be done? Sure - but it's not realistic. At least not for me. You're trying to cram a years worth of classes into a short time period. It sucks that they only have fall entry, but take that time to work a bit, save some cash for day care and be a kickass student on your pre-req's.

Out of curiosity, how long has it been since you took a college level class?

With nine classes left, I'd take three in Spring, three in Fall, and the final three in Spring (2018), which would put you on track for a Fall 2018 entrance. I might throw in a few classes just for interest to be considered full time for financial aid reasons, but that's a personal thing. I'd stay on track for my BSN and be patient with myself and the process.

Waiting bites, but it'll be worth it in the end.

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Specializes in Family Clinic.

I'm in classes now and I finished a dual associates in 15' with healthcare mgt. and a human services. I'm on a limited time frame because of my husbands work. I have a 3 year window where I can get help with the kids if I have to take clinicals for long hours or alone time to study. After that it will be like I'm a single mom with no help 1/2 the year.

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I had a similar situation while taking my pre-reqs and ended up taking courses at both the University and a local community college at the same time. It worked perfectly for me, so you may see if that could be an option.

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Is there a community college in the area where you can take just that one class in the summer while you are taking the rest at your current school? I see university students all the time who are just taking one or two classes at CC concurrent with their other classes to finish the credit.

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Specializes in Family Clinic.

I am at the local community college now. I did some research and it looks like I can try to do a class from University of Phoenix which should count. The only issue is I will now be looking at 3k for childcare, 1500 for the extra class, maxing out my student aid at the school I am at now, paying for books and commute out of pocket and thats only for one semester. The summer semester should be roughly the same costs and THEN I will start nursing school if I get accepted. I am half thinking for my family's sake that I will just have to go to the ASN program and drop my summer classes and work as a CNA somewhere to start getting experience built up.

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I am at the local community college now. I did some research and it looks like I can try to do a class from University of Phoenix which should count. The only issue is I will now be looking at 3k for childcare, 1500 for the extra class, maxing out my student aid at the school I am at now, paying for books and commute out of pocket and thats only for one semester. The summer semester should be roughly the same costs and THEN I will start nursing school if I get accepted. I am half thinking for my family's sake that I will just have to go to the ASN program and drop my summer classes and work as a CNA somewhere to start getting experience built up.

Ah, I assumed you were at a university because they have a bachelor's program. As far as ASN v BSN, I probably depends more on where you are and what kind of placement you want out of school. I see ASNs posting on here in the nurses section all the time that have hospital jobs working in ER, ICU, med-surg, etc. In Dallas, a new grad ASN probably wouldn't get a hospital job, but an experienced one can and they often do. But even here where there's an emphasis on BSNs, the CCs are graduating ASNs every year and they're working somewhere or else they'd scrap the program. LTCs are often places where new grad ASNs can get lots of experience if you're up for it.

Once you complete your ASN, you might also be able to find an RN-BSN bridge program that you can complete online while you're working.

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Specializes in Family Clinic.
Ah, I assumed you were at a university because they have a bachelor's program. As far as ASN v BSN, I probably depends more on where you are and what kind of placement you want out of school. I see ASNs posting on here in the nurses section all the time that have hospital jobs working in ER, ICU, med-surg, etc. In Dallas, a new grad ASN probably wouldn't get a hospital job, but an experienced one can and they often do. But even here where there's an emphasis on BSNs, the CCs are graduating ASNs every year and they're working somewhere or else they'd scrap the program. LTCs are often places where new grad ASNs can get lots of experience if you're up for it.

Once you complete your ASN, you might also be able to find an RN-BSN bridge program that you can complete online while you're working.

Yeah, it's not easy to find a CC with a pre-licensure BSN that is why I was so thrilled with this college plus its only $100 per CH! I think I made up my mind that I will be doing the ASN instead. I will be able to gain experience as a CNA while in the program and come out with little to no student debt. My husbands job will have him relocating right as I am graduating so I want to be as marketable and desirable to a new employer as possible. I think I am going to drop my A&P 2 in the summer so I can do strictly online and then hopefully if I get in the ASN program I will be able to finish my A&P in my first semester and be done with any extra classes besides the actual core nurse programs.

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Specializes in Family Clinic.

UPDATE: I was able to get my schedule adjusted and I will now be able to take Biology 2, A&P 1, and microbiology as well as math and an online english in SPRING! The schedule works for my family too. My husbands job is being incredibly gracious and allowing him to get off an hour early 2 times a week as long as his work is done to pick up our kids from school so that we don't have to pay extra childcare costs. Then I will have the A&P 2 in the summer with my math, english, and human development class and be able to apply to the BSN PROGRAM!!!

Another mother (of 4 :eek: ) going for her BSN is doing the same thing and we are both probably going to be in each others classes.

I am going to be overwhelmed and swamped but I think this will give me the edge over other students and I will come out on top with the degree I wanted!!! (obviously I still have to get into the program but I am already hearing good feedback).

I am too excited to talk right now lol

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

THAT'S WONDERFUL!! The Universe is unfolding very nicely for you. I'm sending major mojo your way - for admission to the BSN program.

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