I want to be a psychiatric nurse. I already have a BA in a humanities field, with no science background at all. I came to believe that the best plan for me is to attend an accelerated bachelors program. So, I researched schools, and found four. They all have different prereqs, and filling all of them will take me about 3 years. Then, another year and a half of nursing school, provided I even get in.
My question is: wouldn't it be easier just to enroll in a straight-from-the-beginning BSN program at a 4 year college, just like the 18 year olds do?
I'm not sure what everyone else is talking about... I went to a "straight from the beginning" BSN program that was four years of taking nursing classes and non-nursing classes at the same time. Applied out of high school (well, my classmates did, I was a transfer from a different school) and graduated four years later with a BSN. There wasn't any application process after two years of pre-reqs. This was a relatively well known Jesuit university, not a for profit school. These programs exist. However, depending on the number of pre-req credits you need to get into the accelerated program, that route may still be faster.
Cerriwin - We are talking about programs for those that already have degrees. If you already have a degree, you don't need lower level classes. There are programs like yours for those first entering college, there are rarely programs like yours for those that already completed their lower division courses or degree.
So what he is looking for is a program that would accept him prior to taking the specific nursing pre-reqs such as AP, Micro, Human Development, Nutrition, etc and roll those courses into the program.
I'm not sure what everyone else is talking about... I went to a "straight from the beginning" BSN program that was four years of taking nursing classes and non-nursing classes at the same time. Applied out of high school (well, my classmates did, I was a transfer from a different school) and graduated four years later with a BSN. There wasn't any application process after two years of pre-reqs. This was a relatively well known Jesuit university, not a for profit school. These programs exist. However, depending on the number of pre-req credits you need to get into the accelerated program, that route may still be faster.
How far into school were you? I've seen those programs, but specifically for new high school graduates. OP is nowhere near that.
Hm, I thought the OP was talking about starting a four year BSN from scratch including classes already previously completed? It was mentioned that four years would be easier than three years of pre-req classes and two additional years of nursing classes. Perhaps the OP can clarify.
Hm, I thought the OP was talking about starting a four year BSN from scratch including classes already previously completed? It was mentioned that four years would be easier than three years of pre-req classes and two additional years of nursing classes. Perhaps the OP can clarify.
Argh, I accidentally deleted my previous post and lost my train of thought and replaced it with not what my original point was! Argh.
Anyway, in case you didn't read it, I don't see what the benefit to doing that would be. Surely you had to apply to the program and be accepted. And since OP has a degree already, his acceptance would be based on college hours, not high school grades. Just like every other NS out there. The only difference going into a all-in-one BSN program would make from where I Stand is that OP would have to apply with his old GPA instead of having a chance to raise it up with other classes or just using a pre-req gpa at other schools.
And I really don't think those straight out of high school programs even accept older students. Maybe there are some out there, but I've only ever seen them for college Freshmen transfers and below.
Ah, and I must agree. If it takes you three years to compete pre-reqs...especially when you already have a degree....there is a serious problem.
I think you are overestimating how long it would take to do the prerequisites. I already had a BA also and only one class counted toward the 2nd degree major. It will take me 1 1/2 years before starting the nursing classes, and I'm only going part time (but year round including summer). Only a few classes left now and was accepted to the program already and frankly the time has just flown by. I'm glad I got started when I did and didn't get overwhelmed by the amount of time it was going to take.
Either way you have to take the same classes, whether it's your first or second degree. Most often it's Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Lifespan Development, Statistics, Nutrition, maybe Ethics or Sociology in there too. Do well in these and you should be okay. Also research all the options in your area. For some people in my town, it made more sense for them to get an Associate's degree RN initially even though they already had a BA...took less time and could get to work faster and then got into a program at their workplace after a few years to help the cost of finishing the BSN. Good luck!
Yeah, I think the OP just needs a bit of research. Someone with a degree may be able to apply as an equivalent to a Junior transfer student or do an ABSN. I'm applying to a 2 year program which is equivalent to being a Junior transfer student as well as the ABSN programs. The only real difference between ABSN programs and 2 year programs is that you get less time off as the 2 year programs often get summer off. I'd personally prefer to have shortened winter breaks and a shortened summer in order to complete my BSN faster but I'm willing to do either program if it gets me to my goal.
From my experience it was easier going the ADN route. I have a BA in sociology so I still needed to take a lot of pre-reqs. I looked at several BSN programs as well as ABSN (which is accelerated) and ADN. The BSN program wanted API/II and chemI/II and a lot of other classes before the program. The accelerated actually wanted a higher GPA and MORE pre-req classes than the regular program like abnormal psych and stats and then had a shorter nursing program (more compact). So really the two ended up being the same amount of time unless you already had a lot of those courses fulfilled. You wouldn't have to start over completely (at least from what I've seen), just take the required classes needed to get in and I'm sure you have already fulfilled some of the requirements already. Anyways I went with the ADN b/c I didn't need Chemistry nor did I need stats or abnormal psych. I still had to take API/II and Micro. I also had to take developmental psych and some art appreciation class. They also ONLY looked at pre-reqs and SAT/TEAS Scores! I have a spotty record also so I was relieved. They don't care about volunteer work or overall GPA. They give you points for the grades you made in certain classes as well as points from your SAT/TEAS score and total up the number. Whoever gets the highest points gets in. Also ADN programs are a lot cheaper which is another reason I decided to go that route. Eventually I will bridge over to BSN but figured I could get my ADN and hopefully get a job while bridging over. There are so many options out there, you just got to figure out which school is right for you and your needs!
I am just finishing up a 4 year program. Our prereqs were only freshman year, anatomy I&II, microbiology, chemistry, human growth and development were the real nursing ones and then we also had to take things like statistics for nursing. I know a lot of schools do two years of prereqs and then start the real core classes junior year, but I loved the way my program was set up. I think a 4 year program is beneficial in that it gives you more clinical experience. Anyways, you should talk to a school and ask about doing a shorter program. Just doing a 4 year program doesn't seem right, so much money lost!
My ABSN program may not require as many prereqs as others, but it only took me 4 semesters to finish my prereqs. And I worked full-time and only went to school at night (and on Saturdays during the Fall 2011 semester). I think you should do some more research and figure out exactly how long it would take you to finish the prereqs. 3 years sounds like a lot to me, but I guess it depends on what your school of choice requires.
I'm also pretty afraid I'll invest all this time and energy into the prereqs and then won't even get into nursing school.
That is absolutely a possibility for those applying to a traditional BSN program as well. At one school that I attended for part of my pre-reqs, there were probably 5-10 pre-nursing students per position in the program and of them, probably 3-5 applied per position in the program which means 2-4 "young, aspiring BSN students" didn't get in.
I had only a 3.3 for my first bachelor's degree. A few years later, I completed a master's degree with cumulative GPA of 3.8 or 3.9 (can't remember which because my SON never asked and it was years ago). When I went back to school for nursing pre-reqs, I earned mostly 4.0's and one 3.8 and one 3.9 so my pre-req GPA was quite high.
You might be surprised how much better you do returning to school with a purpose and I think (though I don't know) most schools weight your pre-reqs / more recent performance more heavily than long ago, unrelated coursework.
Luckyyou, BSN, RN
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I'm not sure what everyone else is talking about... I went to a "straight from the beginning" BSN program that was four years of taking nursing classes and non-nursing classes at the same time. Applied out of high school (well, my classmates did, I was a transfer from a different school) and graduated four years later with a BSN. There wasn't any application process after two years of pre-reqs. This was a relatively well known Jesuit university, not a for profit school. These programs exist. However, depending on the number of pre-req credits you need to get into the accelerated program, that route may still be faster.