Rejected to Accelerated BSN program, should I consider an Associates?

NurseNotRatched, ADN, BSN, CNA · Apr 13, 2010

Why not? It's cheaper and you'll still take the same NCLEX that BSN nurses take. I have a Bachelor's degree as well, but decided against an accelerated program b/c I have 2 small children at home and cannot afford to not work. I wanted to keep my sanity as well. I start an ADN program this fall and plan on completing an RN-BSN or RN-MSN program later. If you want to be a practioner (not CRNA) you can get your associates and then just do the RN-MSN...no BSN required.

allnurses Guide · Apr 15, 2010

ASN is usually harder to get into than BSN and similar in difficulty to the bridge programs. Why were you not accepted? If it is GPA based, ASN won't be any easier to get into in most places.

enfermera2b · Apr 15, 2010

ASN is usually harder to get into than BSN and similar in difficulty to the bridge programs. Why were you not accepted? If it is GPA based, ASN won't be any easier to get into in most places.

Not really sure why I did not get in. Probably a combination of lack of healthcare experience and GPA

cumulative: 3.4

prereqs: 3.7

experience: 1 yr volunteer in a hospital

degree: B.S in communication

I had no idea that an ASN program was harder to get into... seems a little backwards to me. I'll have to do some research in my area.

Thanks for your comment.

muffingirl · Apr 15, 2010

why would you consider nursing school now? there are no new grad positions, and there is not as much job security as people say. you should read some of the discussions by new grad nurses online. If you like what you do now, stick with it until this economy gets better

aneres1390 · Apr 16, 2010

Have you thought about applying to a traditional BSN program but as a transfer student? if you are going to get in as a sophmore or Junior in the BSN program, I think it is way better than getting just the associates degree, especially since you have a BA already, I bet a lot of your credits will transfer.

I'm applying to schools as a tranfser since I havent gotten into any accelerated program yet:banghead:, I even applied to my previous school hoping all my credits will transfer. ADN will be my last choice..Good Luck!

EVIADEAN · Apr 16, 2010

why would you consider nursing school now? there are no new grad positions, and there is not as much job security as people say. you should read some of the discussions by new grad nurses online. If you like what you do now, stick with it until this economy gets better

The Job market is bad in every profession. If everyone felt this way then all colleges just need to shut their doors. The economy will turn around and hospitals will be hiring again just as every other profession. There may be no new grad jobs now. Whose to say that two or three years from now Hospitals won't be in need of new grads. I have decided to go back to school and guess what? I am going into Nursing. I start in Jan and I am very comfortable with my decision. I encourage everybody to go into whatever field they desire because that's what they want and love to do..... not because the jobs are few. As long as the Earth is still here, the economy will have its ups and its downs. So enfemera2b if Nursing is what your heart tells you to do then go for it and do not give up. You will find the program that is right for you.

allnurses Guide · Apr 16, 2010

Not really sure why I did not get in. Probably a combination of lack of healthcare experience and GPA
cumulative: 3.4
prereqs: 3.7
experience: 1 yr volunteer in a hospital
degree: B.S in communication
I had no idea that an ASN program was harder to get into... seems a little backwards to me. I'll have to do some research in my area.
Thanks for your comment.

It is harder to get into because it is far cheaper, takes less time and pays the same as a BSN. And most people who earn an ASN and get into a hospital for employment get their BSN and MSN paid for by the hospital under tuition reimbursement/continuing education benefits. It is just a faster, smarter way to the same destination, which makes it more competitive to get in.

enfermera2b · Apr 16, 2010

the job market is bad in every profession. if everyone felt this way then all colleges just need to shut their doors. the economy will turn around and hospitals will be hiring again just as every other profession. there may be no new grad jobs now. whose to say that two or three years from now hospitals won't be in need of new grads. i have decided to go back to school and guess what? i am going into nursing. i start in jan and i am very comfortable with my decision. i encourage everybody to go into whatever field they desire because that's what they want and love to do..... not because the jobs are few. as long as the earth is still here, the economy will have its ups and its downs. so enfemera2b if nursing is what your heart tells you to do then go for it and do not give up. you will find the program that is right for you.

i could not agree more. believe me, if i was doing this simply for a job wouldn't i just stay in my current profession? you might not know this from my original post, but i do have a day job as a senior marketing coordinator at an architecture firm. i have decided to make a career change because i want to help people. my drive to be a nurse goes far beyond the simply monetary aspects of it.

muffingirl · Apr 16, 2010

ok, then have fun in nursing. I still think its a poor career change, and yes, it is just a job no matter what you tell yourself.

mickey_RN · Apr 16, 2010

ok, then have fun in nursing. I still think its a poor career change, and yes, it is just a job no matter what you tell yourself.

Sounds like its just a job to you...But I have a grandmother who was a nurse for 35 years and an aunt who is a DON of a cardiac transplant unit both tell me you shouldnt be a nurse if it is just a job to you

katkonk, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2010

Hi, enfermera 2B (like the moniker). I will offer this advice, and perhaps alternative advice.

It largely depends on what your goals are for nursing. If you wish to be an administrator and pursue a masters, then perhaps you should consider Masters in Health Administration. You mentioned you wanted to be an NP, but unsure what you want to do with that masters degree....clinical or administration? MHA will get you to administration without the hefty wait for nursing school.

IF you wish to really sink your teeth into the clinical aspects and are very sure that is the direction you wish to go, consider a PA program. PA (under normal circumstances) is masters level and will take you straight to the very heart of clinical, without having to get the BS, then MS in nursing. PA's (sorry NP's out there) also get (IMHO) more intensive clinical experience. Okay, now everyone, don't get on my case about this... Aside from neonatal and pediatric NP's, who are SO talented and focused (and usually help train med students and PA's), if you are working with adolescents-geriatrics, PA's get training in radiology AND cadaver gross anatomy, and nurses get more theory. There are great NP's and sorry PA's, but over and over again I have seen PA's that are stunning diagnosticians and put many NP's to shame. Again...all the nurses out there who read this, please don't rag on me for not supporting NP's more. I started an NP program, but decided for many personal reasons not to continue (and it was not the challenge of the program-I graduated Summa Cum Laude with my BS and made A's while in the NP program). You may have to take some more pre-req's for the PA program (physics and math come to mind, depending on what you already have), but it is an option.

If you decide to pursue the BSN, then I would suggest that, are there any additional courses you can take that are normally a part of the program (have you taken nutrition? pathophysiology? is it possible to take an entry level pharmacology course? even organic chemistry..which usually is not required, but may help your transcripts look more appealing to the powers-that-be re: entrance to the program. I hope this helps.