how to get BSN when you have a BA

MissPiggy · Feb 5, 2009

Make absolutely sure that the online school is accredited. As far as what courses would be acceptable

depends entirely on the individual school. I too had a BA & wanted to go for the MSN but when I was told that I'd have to start over as if all I had was the 2 year degree I decided to go for a Masters in Clinical Psych instead, as that way I'd be using the BA. Now I am STILL going through the discrimination that ADN's get, so I am in the process of trying to get out of nursing completely. Long story short, it is all up to the individual institution as to what they will accept. Good luck!

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2009

You can look into accelerated BSN programs specifically for people with a bachelor's in non-nursing fields. I don't know of any that are 100% online, though. You have to have clinicals in person, after all :)

VegasSummers · Feb 6, 2009

I agree with Purple scrubs, there are several "Entry level nursing degrees" for second- degree students. I just graduated from a BSN-MSN program and found that allnursingschools.com was a helpful website.

none the wiser · Feb 8, 2009

I had a BS in Biology and it would have taken me 2.5 years full time schooling to complete my BSN. I chose the Associate's degree...it will take me 1.5 years, 18 months, 5 semesters straight.

lauraheb · Feb 24, 2009

I also have a B.S and and M.S but don't want to be in school forever. I am terrified of an accelerated program bc I have heard horror stories. I heard that there are RN (Assoc) to MSN bridge programs that don't require you to have a BSN if you all ready have a bachelors degree. Is there any truth to this? I am in the same boat as you none the wiser and don't want to waste extra years taking 1 class a semester for another bachelors.

magnolia3957 · Feb 25, 2009

same boat...have a BA in philosophy science. went back and completed all of the science requirements, but then decided NOT to do the 2nd degree BSN program. Mostly because it cost A LOT more than the ADN RN program at the Jr college and it takes a little longer. PLUS all of the recruiters i have talked to at the hospitals say that there is no pay difference...i basically still have a 4 year degree for technical purposes. I decided that if I ever do decide to spend the extra money it cost to go to university program, it will be to enter the nurse practitioners program...which you can do with a bachelors degree and a RN.

lauraheb · Feb 27, 2009

I am alittle new to nursing field but is it possible to be an NP without a BSN? I thought that you needed a BSN to move forward even if you have a B.S. in something else.

Son Tava · Mar 13, 2009

why bother? unless you're working toward a master's for employment purposes, skip the agony. nothing in the bsn curriculum will approach the level of rigor that your ba program required. it's a step backwards.

magnolia3957 · Mar 13, 2009

Well, I think you can kind of sum it all together. ie if you have a 4 year degree plus a adn RN, you most likely have most of the classes required for a BSN so you kind of do the BSN completion and MSN at the same time. At least that is how it was explained to me by the advisor.

lauraheb · Mar 13, 2009

so you do not need a BSN only an RN if you have a bachelors in something else to get an NP or a MSN. I really ultimately want to be an NP

magnolia3957 · Mar 14, 2009

Actually I am not positive. The way it was explained to me, with my particular BA, plus my ADN RN I have MOST of the classes needed for a BSN. So they would probably go ahead and let me in the MSN (NP) program and I would complete my BSN alongside my MSN. The BSN completetion would only be a few classes. I think in the end, I would graduate with a BSN and a MSN. It has been about a year ago when I talked to the advisor. I guess in theory it would be like doing a ADN to BSN program, but you would not have as many classes to take because you would have already have a great deal of them from your BA degree.