Possible double major while waiting for RN program?

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To give you a little background about myself, I graduated nursing school last July, married in August and passed the LPN nclex exam on my first attempt in October. Right away, I was offered a job as charge nurse in a long term care facility. I worked there full time for six months and then switched to job closer to home as a pediatric home healthcare nurse. I absolutely LOVE my job. However, my compensation is not nearly enough to meet the needs of my family. I want to go back to school to get my RN, but where I live, nursing programs are typically only open for applicants once a year. I have missed the deadline for this fall. I do not want to spend another year twiddling my thumbs, waiting to advance my education and accredited online RN degrees are nearly impossible to find/get into. I don't know what to do. I have considered getting a double major that I could complete in the next year. I already have all my prerequisites completed for the RN program. I have also wondered if it is possible to start taking classes towards my BSN or even taking classes towards an administrative degree for health care. I am not very informed on requirements or expected duration of those options though. I just need some advice from fellow nurses. My husband and I are so ready to add on to our family and buy a home, and I don't want to sit and wait two more years before completing my RN degree to do those things. Any advice and recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

Shelby

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I would go to a local school that has a BSN program, and speak with the guidance counselor.

There may be a science or some other class or 2 that you need to take before applying to the nursing program. Make sure all your classes are transferrable credits. Have conversation on what is available to you.

You could get a bachelors in education if you goal may be to be a nurse educator. You could get a bachelors in humanities if you are thinking that you would like to go a social work/nursing route in home health. Then you could see if there's an accelerated RN program for those who hold bachelor's degrees in other subjects. Which, if you have enough classes/credits to even get a liberal arts degree, that could make it so that you could do an accelerated track.

There are a number of certifications that you could also obtain as an LPN that could serve you well as your career advances. But I would make an appointment to speak with someone at your local college choices, and see what you can do with what you have.

Best wishes!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

I would be very mindful of accruing any unnecessary debt for a degree you may not use. While two years may seem like a long time, if becoming an RN is your final goal, I don't see why you would need to get another degree. In fact, it may be even a detriment to your future plans of buying a house, etc.

And stay away from the online, for-profit schools. Stick with an accredited program. You can't do clinicals online. You will thank yourself in the long run.

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I was like you, I couldn't sit around and wait for rn school. So I kept going and received a bachelor degree in something else. Do I feel like I wasted money and time? Maybe. But I used my degree and worked in oil and gas until I got accepted to an accelerated BSN program. Then in one year I had 2 BSN degrees which I believe propelled me above the other nurse graduates when it came time for jobs. I have never had any problems getting jobs in a very saturated market. The thing is, if you hold off a year how do you know for sure you will be accepted into the program. I've watched people wait year after year and waist they lives away. If you can afford it, get that double major. You can't go wrong with business or teaching or health.

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*waste .... haha my two BSN's didn't teach spelling lol. It's 3am.

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Thank you for the replies! I am very confident that I will be accepted into the RN program next fall. It's just the wait that kills me. I feel like I am not putting perfectly good knowledge to use. Although I work in two completely different nursing settings now, I fear the whole "if you don't use it, you'll lose it" thing. In the long run I know it's my BSN that I want. I'd like to either be a nursing educator or work in labor/delivery or peds as that is what I do now and I love it. Is it possible to take some of my BSN classes now, before I even get my RN? I am from North Dakota. The only LPN to BSN program that is here that I know of is NDSU and its online so people apply from all over. The credentials are higher there and I'm not as confident about that one.

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Push towards the RN/BSN by any means necessary. Health admin or MHA-type degrees are a waste of time for most part, trudging down the MBA path of "it all matters where you went to school". If your plans are USC or Johns Hopkins that is another story. Unfortunately many of these health admin degrees are online and starting to saturate the market so tread carefully. Double major or dual degrees is a cost you simply can not afford if you want a house, family etc. A single dude like me can take the risk, but with goals like yours? I wouldn't.

What specifically was this double major?

Patience is a virtue, it won't kill you to wait a year. I was out of nursing in an admin role for 1.5 years and now work in a busy ICU....

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Specializes in critical care.

If you currently qualify for financial aid, as soon as you get a bachelor's degree, you are limiting or possibly eliminating, the financial aid that is available to you. For that reason, I wouldn't do it.

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If you currently qualify for financial aid, as soon as you get a bachelor's degree, you are limiting or possibly eliminating, the financial aid that is available to you. For that reason, I wouldn't do it.

Yes and if you ever decide to go for your masters you will be mercilessly hung out dry.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

I think your question is, before I get my RN, are there classes I can take that will eventually count toward my BSN?

It's a very good question and a very worthwhile path. If you can do it, you should.

The way to find out is to look at the curriculum for the school you are going to. Talk to an advisor and see if you can knock out some of the classes. You might be able to get an override from a dean.

Getting a second degree is not the best option, imo. You'll just be spinning your wheels and wasting your money.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Why would anyone end up with "Two BSNs"... Bachelor of Science in NURSING. Maybe the PP mis-typed?

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Take classes that would go towards the bsn. Any other degree is a waste of time if your goal is bsn.

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