Accelerated BSN vs. "second major in nursing certificate"

[MissChloe]

I'm finishing up a BA in biology next spring, and looking to go to nursing school after that. I'd only been looking at accelerated BSNs because I know that you are generally paid more as one with a bachelors degree. However, St. Catherine University (in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN) has a "second major certificate" program for those with other bachelors degrees. Now, I'm confused. I've heard really good things about St. Kate's grad nurses, and I know it's a reputable school and such, but what exactly is the difference between these two things? I know with the BSN I'll have a whole second bachelor's degree, but with the certificate, is that the exact same as the accelerated BSN, just called something else? I'm interested both from a perspective of how much I will be learning and also from a hiring perspective. If the certificate is looked at by employers as NOT equivalent to a BSN, I'll remove St. Kate's from my list of possibilities. If it IS the same, then it seems like the perfect program for me. I did call St. Kate's to ask, but I feel like an unbiased opinion would be really helpful, because OF COURSE they are going to say that it's a fantastic program, whether or not it really is.

Anyway, the main question is: what is the difference between the two, and how might those differences affect either my abilities as a nurse or my hireability/pay scale.

As a side note, I go to a school without a nursing program and nobody close to me to ask these questions, so I feel really, really lost and confused by all of the possibilities, with no where to turn for help. I really hope someone here can help me!

[guest_57352]

I don't know what the difference is, but I do know that the certificate takes 3.5 years of classes twice a week - according to their website. That's a very long time - almost the time it would take to start a BSN from scratch. Most places have non-nursing BS to BSN in a year or two - I would try that.

[MissChloe]

But the first year is prerequisites, which I need to take anyway.

[happy2learn]

I would ask the school to clarify what type of degree you will receive with this "certificate" program as a certificate is not a degree, but the "certificate program" could lead to a degree.

[MissChloe]

Well, when I called the school they said it was a certificate stating that I'd completed a second major for my bachelors degree, or something like that. It's just hard to get unbiased information from the school.

[happy2learn]

That makes no sense. I would ask if this is an accelerated BSN program or not. A certificate is just not the same.

I wouldn't go there simply because they can't answer a simple question. God forbid you have an issue you need to work out with them.

[MissChloe]

I mean, I did ask that. They said it was not.

[happy2learn]

Then I wouldn't think it wouldn't be worth it, if it's not a BSN, especially considering you can get your BSN in less time than that certificate program. It would not be viewed as the same, since it isn't. I think it would put you at a disadvantage.