Radiology or Sonograpy then ABSN?

LuvScience · Sep 16, 2015

This sounds like the most expensive way possible to become a nurse. Have you considered how you will pay tuition for both programs? Will you take out loans? I wouldn't recommend using this route to become a nurse if you plan to pay for school with loans because you will have a very high debt to income ratio for many years. If your grades are not competitive enough for a traditional BSN program in your area then you might consider a community college ASN program or a school in a less competitive area.

BeachsideRN, ASN · Sep 16, 2015

I could NOT agree more with LuvScience. Very expensive route to take on a gamble on bringing your GPA up enough to be competitive for an ABSN program. The major won't give you an edge in admissions since almost all admissions programs are based on GPA, HESI, etc. If you were to work in the field before applying to NS it *might* give you an edge insomuch as you'd have experience to write about for an admission essay but that's about it. I would look into traditional BSNs and ADN programs.

BeachsideRN, ASN · Sep 16, 2015

Also, I don't know where you got the info about ABSN being less competitive than traditional programs, I have found the opposite to be true since the ABSN programs accept fewer students per year. For instance, a local ABSN program here accepts approximately 20-40 students once a year whereas the traditional BSN accepts 100-120 every semester.

Loco-Bonita, BSN, RN · May 7, 2016

I took this route inadvertently. I originally wanted to do nursing, convinced myself that ultrasound was similar enough. Now that I have been working for two years I am going back to school to start an ABSN program. I really wish that I had just stuck it out to get into a nursing program. That being said, I enjoyed ultrasound (not enough to stay in it long term.. I was too specialized with a vascular ultrasound degree) and I think I learned a lot from the experience. I wish I could start nursing school without already having a ton of debit from my first degree.

Also, just as others mentioned before.. ABSN programs are also very competitive.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · May 8, 2016

"If I BSN in radiology or sonography". huh?

How do you "know" ABSN is "not a competitive" compared to BSN. The "A" means accelerated and you take the exact same classes. It is basically you are taking 21 hours a semester as opposed to about 12-15.

I cannot understand what you are even asking. Are you saying should you get a bachelors in sonography and then get a bachelors in nursing? This makes zero sense to me but hey whatever works for you. What will get your "chances higher" is to have a GPA of at least 3.5.

ABSN programs require a previous degree with usually at least a 3.2 GPA. What the degree is in makes no difference as this is for second career candidates.

FNA2181 · Jul 28, 2016

I was wondering if anyone has tried this route? If I BSN in Radiology or Sonography, will my chances be higher in getting accepted into a nursing program. I know ABSN is not a competitive compared to BSN. And who knows i might be able to bring my GPA up during that time:up:. Any thoughts on a different medical field degree until i get accepted to a nursing program?

That's exactly what I did. I am a licensed, certified xray technologist and am currently in level 3 of an ABSN. With my background and level of knowledge, I will be able to be a new grad NOT starting in an entry level position. There is a need for nursing technologists that very few people can fill. My radiography school was not expensive at all, maybe $12,000 total, including books and uniforms. Where you are wrong, though, is that a BSN is NOT more competitive than the ABSN. If you choose to go this route, make sure you have a good GPA leaving xray school. Another bonus is most of your nursing prereqs are covered in xray school; A&P I&II, patho, statistics, and computers 101. I have zero regrets so I say go for it!