Pre-nursing, looking for advice and help!

Published

Hi guys.

I am currently a third year college studying pursuing a BS in Biochemistry. Because I haven't been able to successfully enroll in an anatomy class (the only prereq I have left to complete), so I cannot apply to transfer to a nursing program. So I finally decided to complete my BS degree in Biochemistry and then apply to an accelerated post BSN program. Although I know it is more competitive and difficult to get into an accelerated program, I was recommended to finish my first BS in Biochemistry as a backup plan. I'm still iffy about trying to transfer to a nursing program on my fourth year or just finish my degree since I am very close to it. I don't even know if I can get into the anatomy class this spring or in the summer.

So I would like as many of you guys to give me some recommendations. I have received some in my previous post but I would love to hear from more of you. Please!!! :)

Second, I've been trying to research for possible accelerated BSN programs and BSN/MSN programs in CA. I couldn't find a site that provides a complete list of it. Well, at least I hope there are more than 8 accelerated programs out there, as I have been able to find. If you guys can provide me a list or a website with the listings, that would be greatly appreciated!

Unfortunately my university does not have a well informed nursing school advisers to ask, so that's why I am desperate for as many readers, nurses, students, etc. to reply and give me advice and opinions. :) Sadly, I don't have any one to ask for help. So I'm counting on you guys!

Thank you so much!!!!

I am looking forward to reading your comments and responses!! :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi mixie ,

The best site to go to is: http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/rnprograms.shtml

Scroll down to the list for BSN degrees and look for AFT = Accelerated Fast Track.

I was in the same position as you not too long ago. I was just completing my last year in bio when I decided to pursue nursing. I decided to finish my degree since I only had a few classes left to take. After I graduated, I enrolled into a accelerated BSN program.

Nursing is an amazing field and I don't regret pursuing it! Good luck to you in whatever you decide :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LDRP.

I was actually in my 3rd year of undergraduate studies when I decided that I wanted to go into nursing. I researched accelerated BSN programs while finishing up my bachelor's degree. After graduating in 2008, I spent the next 2 years taking the rest of the pre-requisites that I needed for nursing school (the community colleges in SoCal are REALLY backed up when it comes to nursing pre-reqs and almost impossible to get into). I was then lucky enough to get accepted into a 12 month ABSN program, just graduated this summer, got my RN license this fall, and am starting my first job as an RN in January!

Though it took me a few years longer than if I had just gone for a traditional 4 year BSN program right after graduating from high school, I wouldn't change a thing. Nurse recruiters have asked me about this, and I tell them that I'm glad I got my bachelor's degree in another field before pursuing nursing because it gave me time to mature and grow up and to know for sure that I wanted to go into nursing, and they always seem to like that answer.

Thus, with what I have experienced, I highly recommend that you finish school and get your bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, and then pursue an ABSN program. California has some great ABSN programs, and when you are eventually applying for jobs as an RN, it will look really impressive that you have an additional bachelor's degree in another field, and recruiters will like that you're a little bit older and more mature than the traditional BSN program applicants. (Not knocking traditional BSN programs at all - I was just really happy with my ABSN experience!)

I hope my telling you of my experiences is helpful in some way. Nursing school in general and especially accelerated BSN programs are extremely difficult, but if nursing is really what you want, it will be SO worth it! Good luck to you! :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi BellsRNBSN,

I'm getting close to applying for nursing schools,and I'm wondering if you applied for direct entry Master programs. If you didn't, how come you chose accelerated BSN over MSN? Would you recommend one over another?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you come to CA for nursing school just don't expect to find a job here unless you want to work in a nursing home (hint:you don't)! There are a trillion unemployed new grad RN's here!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi BellsRNBSN,

I'm getting close to applying for nursing schools,and I'm wondering if you applied for direct entry Master programs. If you didn't, how come you chose accelerated BSN over MSN? Would you recommend one over another?

For some people, it's a financial aspect. MSN = more debt than BSN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I regrettably agree with sckitty although I hate to be a debbie-downer. Hopefully the market will change by the time you graduate with your BSN. I'm about to be a new-grad and I am currently facing the huge difficulty of getting new grad job in CA today. Anyway, back to my point...Cal State San Marcos has an accelerated program you should look into Accelerated BSN. Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I live in CA, so I do hope to stay in CA. Is it really that hard to find a job as an RN? Because people always say that hospitals are hiring nurses, etc. So do you think it is better to do an ABSN or MSN to increase my chance of being employed?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I live in CA, so I do hope to stay in CA. Is it really that hard to find a job as an RN? Because people always say that hospitals are hiring nurses, etc. So do you think it is better to do an ABSN or MSN to increase my chance of being employed?

The people who say "it's easy to find a nursing job" have no clue what they're talking about. While there may be many RN jobs available, as a new grad you have to apply for a new grad program. And those are hard to come by and extremely competitive. Sometimes 1000 or more applications for maybe a handful of new grad positions. You cannot apply for a "regular" RN job until you have at least 6 mo-1 yr experience, but even then it can be difficult. Too many new grads + not enough new grad positions= sucks to be a new grad right now. As for ABSN or direct entry MSN, if I were you I would be thinking MSN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The people who say "it's easy to find a nursing job" have no clue what they're talking about. While there may be many RN jobs available, as a new grad you have to apply for a new grad program. And those are hard to come by and extremely competitive. Sometimes 1000 or more applications for maybe a handful of new grad positions. You cannot apply for a "regular" RN job until you have at least 6 mo-1 yr experience, but even then it can be difficult. Too many new grads + not enough new grad positions= sucks to be a new grad right now. As for ABSN or direct entry MSN, if I were you I would be thinking MSN.

Can you explain a little bit more why you would choose MSN over ABSN? Many nurses I spoke with told me to do ABSN over MSN, though I would much rather do a MSN.

Also, I originally wanted to get into FNP MSN programs, but I heard so many problems with NPs in California. Many of them were fired at the hospital I volunteer in. What MSN programs would you recommend?

Thank you so much for your constant respond! I really appreciate it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When you are applying to a New Grad program. MSN > BSN > ADN. unless you know someone. and you can get a general MSN or clinical nurse specialist focus in an MSN.

ABSN might even be the same price as an MSN. so go for the ELM's program (entry level masters in nursing).

And i've known of a few MSN students getting jobs at a hospital that stated they were not hiring new grad RNs, that they need RNs with experience, yet they hired RNs in the process of getting their MSN with no experience. Coincidence. I think not.

and because the MSN program is longer : 1) defer student loans 2) maybe economy will pick up by the time you finish your MSN. 3) if you get a job during your MSN program, take it. you can always go back to school to finish that MSN degree, theres no expiration date that i know of on your graduate credits.

good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion