Should I get my Traditional BSN while I'm in undergrad or aim for an Accelerated program?

[greenbean14]

Hello!

Just a little brief background info: I'm a sophomore at a 4-year university who is switching from being on a Biology BS pre-med track to Pre-Nursing to get my Traditional 4-year BSN. I'm on track to graduate on time if I would have stuck with Biology. However, as a sophomore just now entering Pre-Nursing, I am behind one semester on pre-reqs for clinical courses and have been informed that I will therefore be graduating a semester later as well. As silly as this sounds, I'm really upset that I won't be able to graduate with the majority of my friends and peers in my class year!

Cue the alternative: bio advisor told me that I could switch my BS in Bio to a BA (it involves less chemistry and physics, which I detest) and take nursing school prereqs during undergrad. Then after graduating with my BA in Bio, I could apply to an accelerated program and get my BSN that way. I like this option because 1) I do love Bio 2) I have more room for a minor this way as well and 3) ... I could graduate on time (silly, I know). The main drawbacks are that I will be paying more money for schooling and putting time and effort into classes for an entire degree that is not even necessary if I were to just go the traditional BSN route.

I would ideally love to get my BSN, pass boards, and begin my nursing career as soon as I can! I just can't decide which path to go... Can anyone offer me a little bit of guidance or share what you did with me? Thank you so incredibly much for the help!

[FutureNurseBeth]

I agree with everyone. I was faced with this decision last year when I was going though my freshman year. However, instead of only being a semester behind I was going to be an entire year behind "my class." I decided it didn't matter in the grand scheme of things and have never looked back. In the end it is entirely your decision, but I am very glad I decided to switch majors now rather than later.

[gizm0]

Thanks for posting this!

[gizm0]

I understand the emotional thrill of getting to graduate with all your friends. However, you need to look at the math of this, really put the numbers on paper. Accelerated BSN programs tend to be expensive, but also competitive. You may not get in right away when you apply.

Not only do you need to consider how much money you will be spending on schooling, but also the amount of RN salary you will not be earning as you wait to get into and complete an accelerated BSN program.

Scenario 1: Graduate late with your BSN in Dec '17

You'll spend one extra semester worth of tuition (say $5000). Then you take and pass the NCLEX, interview for jobs, and have a job by March of '18, making an RN salary (say $50,000/yr).

Scenario 2: Graduate with Bio degree, then Accelerated BSN

So you'll graduate in May of '17 with your bio degree. Then you will apply to accelerated programs all over. There are usually wait lists, so let's say it takes a year to get in for the August '18 fall semester. Add the cost of the accelerated program (say $25,000). You'll be done in Dec '19. Then the NCLEX, interviews, and a job in March '20.

The difference in tuition is $20,000, but when you add in the two years of missed RN salary ($100,000), you're behind by a total of $120,000. That's the ultimate cost of graduating with your friends, or the cost of a small house in most of the country.

Do a little research and plug in the correct numbers above. Then make an informed decision.

ThatBigGuy,

Your comment was extremely insightful!! I'm wondering if you could perhaps offer your opinion in my own similar situation? I'm basically in the same boat as greenbean14, except I just made the credit cutoff to be a senior (I just hit 90, have 32 more to go). The degree in progress is a health services/biology type of degree unique to my university. I can't decide what is more worthwhile to me... finish the degree I've been working on and then apply to an accelerated program? My top choice for the accelerated program is U of M (Michigan), where I'll need to complete about 3-4 additional prerequisites outside of my degree to apply. Those addtional prereq's are going to be difficult for me to complete because they do not accept my current school's pharmacology, and my school doesn't even offer a pathophysiology. I'd have to take those elsewhere, which is a bit frustrating. Nevertheless, I also looked at U of M's traditional BSN program, and I have all but one of the prerequisites completed to apply (which I could easily complete during Summer I) and hopefully get in for the traditional cohort beginning next fall. My grades are solid and I'm above U of M's average incoming class's GPA, and I have a strong volunteering background. I also just graduated from my CNA class last week. The way I see it, this is about a 3 year process either way, it seems. The reason I don't want to stay at my current university and change to pre-nursing is because there is a wait period and I also just don't want to be there much longer past my current expected graduation date (which is within the next year).

[gizm0]

I'm in a very similar situation to yours, except I'm a senior This is such a complicated process.... Thanks for posting, reading the replies have helped me too! I hope you find what you're looking for!

[greenbean14]

hi, gizm0. I was just wondering what you ever decided on doing. Best of luck to you on whichever path you choose!