Should I get a B.S. in Health Sciences then pursue my BSN?

[andylo_ve]

Currently I have a 3.52 GPA (in a 4.0 scale) in community college. I'm close to being done with my pre req classes for nursing. I want to apply to Nursing School but I've heard it's so competitive to get accepted which makes me sad because I don't have a 4.0.

My current community college that I attend has an associates degree in Nursing available but there is a 2 year waiting list for it.

I read somewhere online that most people purse a bachelors degree in health sciences if they get rejected from Nursing school because the pre req courses are similar.

I was wondering if it would be a good idea if I go on and get the BS in Health Sciences and meanwhile put my name into the waiting list at community college for the associates degree in nursing. I can work on the BS in HS meanwhile while my turn comes in the ASN waiting list. I would like to get my ASN then later on apply to a bridge program (RN to BSN)

Does this sound like a good plan?

[sailornurse]

No, it would be a waste of time and money if you want to be a nurse, pursue that first. If there is a BSN program you plan to attend, you might work on those prereqs. Also, consider getting your CNA in the meantime if that is available to you so you can get experience at a hospital/get your foot in the door. You will get experience doing patient care that will come in handy as a student nurse.

[UCFAshley]

What about an LPN or LVN program and then do a LPN-RN bridge program?

[Xlorgguss]

You might as well go straight for the BSN. In my opinion it isn't worth waiting two years to do your ASN. In that time alone you could potentially have your BSN done assuming you have the pre read done

[sakiandscout]

I agree with everyone else. It is more a waste of money than anything. Check out other programs. Surely the ADN program at your community college isn't the only one around. Most universities have BSN programs, you just really need to do your research. What you could do to make your GPA more competitive is re-take a class or two that you may not have done very well in. Also, find out what your true pre-requisite GPA is. If you had to take courses that weren't college level, those won't transfer and won't affect your transfer GPA. Good Luck!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I don't think that there would be any value in a degree in health science. I don't know of any job that it would prepare you for.

[amoLucia]

There's also the issue of tuition debt. Like you'd be doubling up. Also loans for the BSN may not be available if you take out loans for the Health Science degree.

Whatever you do, proceed super-cautiously if you start to consider tech schools. NOT a good option if you read postings here about the mega-problems assoc with tech programs.

Good info from PP here.

Good luck.

[vinsmuffin]

If you know that you want to be a nurse for sure, I would suggest you do your BSN straight away. Everything else would just create more student loans for you. Another option would be to do your ASN, get your RN and start working full time and then have your employer pay for the BSN. I know a lot of my coworkers that do that.