Nalani

Hi everyone! I'm looking for some real-world perspective from current nurses, nursing students, or anyone who has navigated a non-linear path into nursing. Here is a breakdown of where I currently stand: Current Status: Pre-nursing transfer student. I started college in Fall 2024 and completed courses at my previous school (Howard University), but I need to retake A&P II to replace a D with a C or higher before entering clinicals. Current School Option: I'm looking at Bowie State University (BSU). To apply to their upper-division clinical cohort, I have to be actively enrolled on campus to take the TEAS at their testing center and submit the application during their late Fall application window. The Dilemma: If I enroll in Fall 2026 to retake prerequisites, take the TEAS, and apply during the Fall window, I'd be looking at entering the upper-division clinical sequence and graduating with my BSN around 2029 or 2030. I really wanted to enter a clinical cohort sooner (like Spring 2027), but direct-entry clinical transfer windows for Fall are closed, and many schools require A&P II to be completed before starting clinicals anyway. Alternative Paths I'm Considering: Stick with the BSU plan: Enroll in Fall 2026, finish prerequisites/TEAS, and go through the traditional BSN path. For anyone who took a "detour" or retook prerequisites—is it better to just take the extra time for the traditional BSN, or finish a different bachelor's degree quickly and do an ABSN later? If your end goal was aesthetic nursing / working in a med spa or dermatology, would you prioritize getting the RN as fast as possible, or taking your time to keep your GPA high? What would you do in my position to protect your timeline without burning out?