Second Degree BSN Program?

Nurses Career Support

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Hi Everyone!

I'm supposed to be applying to MSW Programs this fall and will be graduating next May from Purdue--yet suddenly, I've had a change of heart with the degree I want to pursue!

I am currently studying child development/social work and psychology. I have always wanted to do something helping children, so for the longest time I've thought I wanted to be on the track of counseling therapy. Then I thought, why not go the medical route and try medical family therapy or child life? So I've been volunteering on the peds floor this summer, and suddenly I've found myself considering a career in nursing (which is funny, because when I was way younger, my first 'career choice' was to be a PICU Nurse--but then the thought of administering IV's freaked me out as a child, so I dropped it and never thought about it much again til now).

Don't get me wrong--I love my current major. It's not that I don't want to do counseling or child life anymore, it's just that I've suddenly gained an interest of incorporating those skills into an even larger medical role such as nursing.

So here's my new potential plan: stay an extra year at Purdue to fill my pre-reqs (anatomy, physiology, etc) then apply to a Second Degree Nursing Program. Then, perhaps I could pursue my MSW after? If so, would it be best to get my MSW immediately or wait until I've worked as an RN for a while?

Sorry for so many questions and that this is so lengthy!! I've just been in a slight frenzy thinking I have to reevaluate my whole life! Any advice is appreciated!

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If you get a BSW you should be able to bridge to an MSW program easily. For a BSN as a second degree we have programs locally but they are all accerlarated programs and for me that is just not possible, but I am older and slower than I used to be.

Be careful, the ADN program I'm starting and all of our local programs require A&P with in 5 years of starting the nursing program. So if you take them now then one year for your MSW then you apply to nursing school and the next available seat is 2 years away that 5 years can go fast!!

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Be careful, the ADN program I'm starting and all of our local programs require A&P with in 5 years of starting the nursing program. So if you take them now then one year for your MSW then you apply to nursing school and the next available seat is 2 years away that 5 years can go fast!!

Ok, thanks for that piece of advice, I will be sure to be wary of that! :)

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