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How did that work out for you? That is what I am thinking of doing too, for Fall 2018...Any word on what the experience is at each one of those sites?

Did not meant to post here!

What is your opinion on getting an RN through an ADN/ASN versus a BSN program? I currently have a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Psychology from University of California and have been working on completing prereqs for a nursing program. I have the option of applying to an accelerated BSN program or an associate's RN program. Both will take about the same amount of time to complete, the BSN costs about $4,000 more to complete (and is at least an hour's drive away), and I will be staying in this area (Tampa Bay, Florida) for school and work. My questions are: 1. What do you recommend if I intend on eventually getting an MSN? (Since there are RN to MSN bridge programs, traditional BSN to MSN programs, and I already have 2 bachelor's degrees.) 2. Will the BSN make me SUBSTANTIALLY more competitive in the job market? Or will my other bachelor's degrees help at all on an application with the associate's RN degree? 3. Is there a big salary differential between associate's RNs and BSNs? 4. When you are actually out in the real world practicing nursing, is there a quality difference between an associate's RN and BSN? (I have never noticed as a patient...) Is there a PERCEIVED, but not actual, difference? If there's any other advice or considerations you think I should know about, please let me know. Thank You!

Thank you both for replying! You both gave me some important things to consider. @jaderook01: I hadn't considered that eventually an employer may make me get a BSN... @imtoonice: I didn't know about entry level masters programs for nursing. I'll definitely look into those now!

Hello, I currently have a B.S. Biology and B.A. Psychology from U of CA. I have gone back to school and recently completed all of my nursing program prereqs. I have the option of applying to an accelerated BSN Program or a RN program. Both will take about the same amount of time to complete. The big differences are (besides degree type): 1. The RN program is much closer to where I live now in the Tampa Bay area. 2. The RN program starts Fall 2018. The A-BSN starts Spring 2019. 3. I've been assured by the RN advisor that I'm basically in the RN program because of my GPA, all I have to do still is complete a computer competency exam. I have not applied to the A-BSN program yet because applications don't open up for a few more months. 4. The RN program is less expensive than the A-BSN. My questions are: 1. What do you recommend if I intend on eventually getting an MSN? (Since there are RN to MSN bridge programs, traditional BSN to MSN programs, and I already have 2 bachelor's degrees.) 2. Will the BSN make me SUBSTANTIALLY more competitive in the job market? Or will my other bachelor's degrees help at all on an application with the RN degree? 3. Is there a big salary differential between RNs and BSNs? 4. When you are actually out in the real world practicing nursing, is there a quality difference between an RN and BSN? (I have never noticed as a patient...) Is there a PERCEIVED, but not actual, difference? If there's any other advice or considerations you think I should know about, please let me know. Thank you for reading!

That is a good idea to talk to my healthcare provider about nursing school... I have considered chiropractic since I was a Chiropractic Assistant, it's just that the schooling is very expensive, but that is how I learned that I really enjoy working with patients...All my nursing prerequisites are over a 3.0, it's just my overall science GPA is less than that (which includes science classes not required by nursing school e.g. genetics, neuroscience, etc.). Thank you for the advice and feedback Shibaowner, I really appreciate it! :-)

Please give me any advice you think would be beneficial to augmenting my student/professional record as well as directing me towards a Nursing or a particular Allied Health field. What will make me a better candidate? What I'm doing now: Taking prerequisites (at a community college) for Nursing/Allied Health programs (e.g. Human Nutrition, A&P, Medical Terminology, Healthcare Ethics, etc.). I have been thinking about doing an accelerated BSN program, but I am not entirely sure yet. I am considering becoming a CNA next semester to get more experience around nurses to see if I really should apply to an accelerated BSN program or look at an Allied Health field (e.g. occupational therapy, PT, PA, etc.). Problem: I'm unsure what program to apply to and what programs I will be competitive for, mostly because of my GPA and experience. It seems that most programs, A-BSN or Allied Health programs, require at least a 3.0 GPA to get looked at, but overall I'm just above that (see specifics below). I'm not looking to get into the best school, just get into a school that will provide me with a good, accredited, education that will help me enter a career that I will find personally and professionally satisfying. Furthermore, in the last 2-3 years I developed an autoimmune disease so I am less comfortable with constantly working around infectious/communicable people since I take an immunosuppressant (although I am not worried about working with the infectious diseases in a laboratory setting because I have more control over being aseptic, sterile, etc.). Also, because of the autoimmune disease, I find it is now harder to work a long day (10+ hours) without needing a full day (that feels wasted) of rest to regain my energy. I also recently read a couple of research articles that listed nursing as one of the top professions where people in that career die of autoimmune diseases at a higher rate than other professions. I really like healthcare and biological sciences. The experiences I've had within various parts of those fields have really helped me figure out what I find fulfilling within them, leading me to Nursing or Allied Health. Now I just need to find out what Nursing or Allied Health career will fit with my background and needs. The good news is while I am in my 30s now, I can take my time getting to where I need to be because my spouse and I don't have children to support. Degrees: University of California (Double major, a little over 10 years ago.) -B.S. Biology with thesis honors (Molecular/Cellular focus.) -B.A. Psychology with honors Social Service Award at Graduation GPAs: -UC Overall GPA: 3.13 -UC Science GPA: 2.81 -UC Non-Science GPA: 3.58 I had a couple of major personal crises that caused me to go from As & Bs to Bs and Cs (with 1 F), which is why my science GPA took a hit. I think I would have to take 8 science classes and get 8 As to raise the Science GPA to 3.0… -Community College GPA: All As so far. Publications: -1 in a science journal -1 in a public health magazine Experience: -Chiropractic Assistant (70% patient care, 30% office work, under this chiropractor the CA duties tended to be more like assistant PT work, helping with a lot of patient active/passive therapies – this is where I learned that I really like working with patients, as well as doing patient education.) -Retail Management -Drug Rehab Behavioral/Mental Health Research Assistant -Microbiology Lab Research Assistant (I like lab work, but I want to know that the lab work I'm doing will be tangibly helpful to someone and I do not want to be grant dependent.) -College Sport Coach -Public Health Organization Intern -Teaching Assistant during undergrad (I learned I really enjoy teaching people science-related topics.) -In high school I did a nursing volunteer/internship (I learned I feel very comfortable in a hospital-environment.)

Hello everyone! I'm new to this site. I am ready to pursue nursing school. I intend to become an R.N. and possibly further my education after I become an R.N. I have a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Psychology (graduated 2006, University of California). I worked in a microbiology research lab for a couple of years. I also interned for a women's health nonprofit organization and worked for substance-abuse treatment program doing research. The last few years I have worked in a field (retail) that has nothing to do with my background or education. When I was in high school I volunteered at a local hospital as a "nursing intern" and enjoyed it very much and there are many nurses in my family. However, when I went to college I wasn't yet considering nursing school, otherwise I would have done that. Now that I would like to go to nursing school, what would be the best type of program to apply to, considering the education I already have? Should I start with an LPN program? Do I have to start my education path all over again, or can I use some of what I already have from my B.S./B.A.? Anyone who has any advice or can think of any alternatives that I haven't asked about, I would really appreciate hearing from. Also, I live in Florida, if that makes any difference regarding program/certificate options; and while I would prefer to stay near my home, I am willing to relocate for my education. Thank you!