Please share your experiences! And what type of program should I apply/aim for?

Have you looked at traditional BSN programs? I've been looking at some in my state that would take about the same amount of time as an ADN program, but I'd have the BSN at the end instead of an Associates. (They're more expensive, though.) I, too, already have a Bachelors, and it seems like a step back for me to get an Associates. So I am going for the BSN programs, but also applying to the local ADN program just in case I can't get into a BSN or ABSN program.

I'd say the accelerated bachelor's would probably be the best idea and even try to look at some accelerated BSN/MSN degrees. These can usually be completed in about 3 years. Some schools don't look at your entire gpa and just consider your nursing pre-reqs so it would depend on the indivisual school. Where do you live?

@frnzy - oo i never really looked into traditional bsn programs, i just assumed it meant "traditional" as in "not accelerated" and therefore will take 4 years, like it normally does to get an undergrad bachelor's degree. But perhaps that will be a good option for me to look into...thanks!! :)

@guiltysins - yes i'm looking into accelerated bsn/msn degrees also and 3 years isn't tooo bad. I live in CA but i am honestly looking everywhere for schools - east, west and anywhere in the middle. what programs are you looking into?

i just assumed it meant "traditional" as in "not accelerated"

Some of the BSN programs I've looked into are 3-yr things. But more than a couple are 4-5 semesters (2 years). The Freshman and Sophomore years in these programs are gen ed (like writing and psych) and nursing pre-reqs (like Anatomy and Physiology). But the last two years are the clinical years (nearly identical to the ADN program I've been looking into). And most of them seem to require a separate college application for entrance into the "upper" level of the BSN program. Sometimes it's stated on the websites as "transfer application into the upper level clinical sequence" or something like that.

I'm not saying it's the right answer for you, I would just think it's worth your time to at least look at them. The downside to these is they seem to have a couple more prereqs for application than the ABSN programs at the same school. But you might already have those prereqs done; as each school is different.

Wow! Reading your post reminds me completely of myself. I am a graduate of UCR with a 3.1(anthro degree, really screwed up freshman and sophomore years.) , and am kinda in the process of trying to figure out which route to take(I also have a huge list of schools). Send me a PM so we can talk more!

The general rule of thumb is all prerequisites are completed before starting the nursing program itself.

ADN is usually 3 years...

nursing school is about 30 months beyond general eds usually for a BSN. Add in completion of prereqs and the general eds and this translates into about a 5 year program.

ABSN is anywhere from 12-24 months.

I don't know much about the direct entry MSN route...