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Discussion

Schooling advice needed!

Hello!

I am sort of new to the forum so forgive me if this post is not in the right place.

I am looking for a "non-traditional" (as in I have a BA in international studies) BSN or MSN nursing program that ideally would be relatively short but not necessarily accelerated.

A little background about me:

Again, I have a BA in international studies - but my GPA was not very good (think below a 2.5) because German was required for my major and frankly, I was bad at it, so it really brought down my GPA.

I applied to and was accepted into the United State Peace Corps - and I spent 3 full years abroad serving in the IT and education sectors in an incredibly foreign and remote place.

I am currently going to a community college to get the science prerequisites under my belt. I have taken: Anatomy and Physiology 1, Intro to Psychology, and I am about to wrap up Anatomy and Physiology 2, and Microbiology.

I currently have straight 'A's (as in a 4.0 GPA from community college).

So.. My plan is to take two more common prerequisites over this summer - probably a Life Span Development class and a hybrid Organic and Biochem class. And while doing so, apply for schools that offer BSNs or MSNs - but this is where I am getting stuck.

There seem to be a dizzying array of options available in terms of BSN, MSN (and accelerated BSN and MSN) programs.

I feel as though part of the reason that I am doing SO well in community college is because the class load is relatively low, so far I have not exceeded 7 credit hours per semester.

So my question is: Should I risk trying to get into an accelerated program knowing that I might not perform so well academically (because by its nature, accelerated program have a high course load) -or- should I try to look for a BSN or MSN program that takes a little bit longer (I am thinking around 2 - 2.5 years) knowing that I will perform better because the course loads are not quite as high.

But, does that second option exist (a non-accelerated program that is designed for someone who has a degree in a non-nursing field)? And if so which schools offer it? And which of those schools are any good?

Sorry for the long post - but I feel like I needed to write it out fully to get my point across.

Thank you VERY much anyone who reads/responds, it is MUCH appreciated!!!

-Tim M

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    I read your post and sadly, I can't really even begin to offer any suggestions. But one thing jumped out at me and waved the red flag.

    Be careful about that 'hybrid Organic & Biochem' class. Make sure it will be accepted into another program. You don't want to spend unnec time & $ for a course not to be accepted.

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    • Author

    Hey! Thank you for reading my post!

    Yeah... I have been looking at many school's prerequisites and most require two semesters of just plain chemistry. So I will probably take a regular chemistry course instead.

    I read your post and sadly, I can't really even begin to offer any suggestions. But one thing jumped out at me and waved the red flag.

    Be careful about that 'hybrid Organic & Biochem' class. Make sure it will be accepted into another program. You don't want to spend unnec time & $ for a course not to be accepted.

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    Here in CA there are schools that offer Entry Level MSN. Designed for people who has a bachelors degree in a non nursing field, makes you eligible for NCLEX then when you get your license you would continue finishing with a MSN degree.

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    • Author

    Hello! Thank you for the tip!

    Do you know which schools specifically offer the Entry Level MSN?

    Thank you!

    Here in CA there are schools that offer Entry Level MSN. Designed for people who has a bachelors degree in a non nursing field, makes you eligible for NCLEX then when you get your license you would continue finishing with a MSN degree.
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    Check out the BRN website. It shows ABSN programs for those who already have a bachelors. Still teaches all the core nursing classes at the same pace as rue normal BSN programs but (I believe) don't teach as many (or possibly any) leadership, organization and management courses since they assume you learned that with your first bachelors. It should also show the schools that you can go into an MSN program but since I don't have a BA I didn't look into those as much...

    The BRN site was a life saver while I researched nursing schools. I printed the list and highlighted everything within an hour commute of my home. Also worth it to look into ASN programs just for ***** and giggles but you'd probably have a great chance for the ABSN/MSN programs.

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    • Author

    THANK YOU!! I found the website and more specifically this area on the website ( Board of Registered Nursing - RN Programs ) which I assume is what you were referring to? Is there this website for other states?

    Thank you again!

    Check out the BRN website. It shows ABSN programs for those who already have a bachelors. Still teaches all the core nursing classes at the same pace as rue normal BSN programs but (I believe) don't teach as many (or possibly any) leadership, organization and management courses since they assume you learned that with your first bachelors. It should also show the schools that you can go into an MSN program but since I don't have a BA I didn't look into those as much...

    The BRN site was a life saver while I researched nursing schools. I printed the list and highlighted everything within an hour commute of my home. Also worth it to look into ASN programs just for ***** and giggles but you'd probably have a great chance for the ABSN/MSN programs.

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    Here in CA there are schools that offer Entry Level MSN. Designed for people who has a bachelors degree in a non nursing field, makes you eligible for NCLEX then when you get your license you would continue finishing with a MSN degree.

    READERS, please - correct me if I"m wrong.

    But I think I've read here where if these MSN grads (sans BSN) seek a nsg position at the bedside (because they can't get an advanced practice position anywhere), they find no hosps will hire without the BSN.

    So all those MSN (no BSN grads) are all floating in the overflowing pool of unemployed job-seeking RNs.

    No RN experience AND no BSN.

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    THANK YOU!! I found the website and more specifically this area on the website ( Board of Registered Nursing - RN Programs ) which I assume is what you were referring to? Is there this website for other states?

    Thank you again!

    Yes There are sites for other states but since I'm in CA I don't know them.

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    READERS, please - correct me if I"m wrong.

    But I think I've read here where if these MSN grads (sans BSN) seek a nsg position at the bedside (because they can't get an advanced practice position anywhere), they find no hosps will hire without the BSN.

    So all those MSN (no BSN grads) are all floating in the overflowing pool of unemployed job-seeking RNs.

    No RN experience AND no BSN.

    Yes, there was a recent thread on this subject. It appears that an advanced degree without RN experience is a job-killer. I'm not even sure why these degrees are offered. The gist of the thread was along the lines of "how can an advanced degree nurse supervise those under him/her without any real-world experience?" As we all know, nursing school is just the beginning of the education. Experience finishes your education.

    The upshot was that you can go right ahead and obtain an advanced degree without nursing experience, but good luck in obtaining employment to pay off those loans.

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