So Confused. Please Help.

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2011

generally the accelerated nursing programs i applied to did not have wait list they were competitive.....not everyone that applied that got in for sure but once you have your pre-reqs done if your selected you can start right away. the pre-reqs do take about a year but you have to take most of those for community colleges too.

RNKPCE · Feb 17, 2011

6 semesters sounds like a regular bsn nursing program not an accelerated program.

Most accelerated nursing programs will require prerequisites before you apply, the grades you get in those classes along with other criteria will determine who is admitted. If they don't require it you still will need to take anatomy, physio, chem, etc. If they don't require those classes at all the program may not be accredited.

loriangel14, RN · Feb 17, 2011

If you go for your ASN you will still have prerequistes to complete before hand.

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Feb 17, 2011

The majority of nurses do not have advanced degrees, and many have advanced degrees outside of nursing. Nobody can make the decision for you (stock answer) but it sounds like you should examine the ASN/ADN option more thoroughly to help with your decision. Good luck however you decide.

nbrightrn · Feb 17, 2011

I graduated from the four semester accelerated program at Kent State. I had several out of state classmates who came to Ohio for the program. A new cohort begins each semester and Kent State was toying with a weekend program too. Most of us were unable to sustain both the program and a full time job as this is a difficult, intensive course of study. If you think about it, you will have a BSN in the same amount of time it takes to get an RN and most hospitals want to hire BSN's. The prereq's do take a year if you need all of your sciences, but you can also get a head start on some of the non-nursing classes at the same time. On the downside, it took quite a while to find a good job because I had no previous experience working in a hospital and schools are graduating LOTS of nurses now. I do have a good nursing job, I have been out of school for 8 months and the future looks great! I love nursing.

nohika · Feb 17, 2011

The majority of nurses do not have advanced degrees, and many have advanced degrees outside of nursing. Nobody can make the decision for you (stock answer) but it sounds like you should examine the ASN/ADN option more thoroughly to help with your decision. Good luck however you decide.

The only reason I would hesitate on advising an ADN is because the OP wants to be able to be a "head nurse" and a "nurse administrator" with their degree. However, I dunno if they'll think that way once they're a floor nurse for a while. Regardless, if that's the case, I think a BSN might be better...then again, a lot of admins have a masters, also.

workingspaz · Feb 17, 2011

there's no easy way to get what you want. if money is a factor go for an ADN. that way you can continue to work and gain the experience you'll need for admin or head nursing while continuing with your education via BSN or MSN... but if you want one round of school and done, you'll have to make the time sacrifice, pick ADN or BSN. bear in mind, you'll still have to take the science pre-reqs no matter what program you decide on. speak with an advisor at the school you plan to attend; they may be able to offer alternative time table solutions. whatever happens, best of luck

noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 17, 2011

I have a non-nursing bachelors and went the associates degree route because it's so much cheaper than the accelerated BSN, traditional BSN, and direct entry MSN options. It only cost about $5,000 total. It was also quicker than the traditional BSN and direct entry MSN programs would have been.

You can finish up a BSN while you are working and have your employer pay for it.

Vicki29 · Feb 17, 2011

I don’t want to incur anymore debt than I already have.

What about taking nursing prerequisites at a community college and then transferring them to the accelerated program? (BTW, considering what nurses make, $20,000/semester seems like a rip-off.) What about an LVN program first, and then an LVN-to-RN program. Does your state's university system(s) have an online LVN-to-BSN program?

mentalhealthRN · Feb 17, 2011

When I went through my accelerated BSN I lucked out and had all my pre-reqs as my first BS was in Health Science......however most of my classmates needed the pre-reqs and took them either at the local community college and/or on-line. I went to a fairly prestigious program and they accepted the on-line coursework for these folks so that could be an option. However I would check with the school you are interested in to be sure they accept on-line courses as long as from an accredited school. For me personally I got an associates then my BS in health science so when I wanted to go back to be a nurse, the thought of getting an AS in nursing felt like taking a step backwards for me. I also had done half of an AS program before deciding to just take an AA in Liberal Arts and transfer for the BS as I hated the program. I found it to be a lot of memorization and not a lot of the why behind things. I found it didn't fit my learning style. When I started my accelerated BSN I found it very different and loved it. It was a better fit for my learning style. They focused a lot more on the why and not just pure memorization. Maybe it was just the two schools, maybe the ASN vs BSN..who knows. But maybe the on-line classes will be better for you while you work so you can get the pre-reqs done.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2011

i am so confused about this whole nursing school process. i have a bachelor's degree in a non-science related field. i am being told by schools that have accelerated bsn programs that i have to take the prerequisites before applying to their programs. if you factor in all those classes combined with my full time employment, it will be another year before i can apply to these accelerated programs and god only knows if i will make it into them considering most accelerated bsn programs have long waiting list. i know someone who is on a 3 year waiting list! what are my other options? should i return to school for an associate's in nursing? how much mobility is there for a nurse who only has an associates? money and time is a big issue for me so once i finish a nursing program-whether an associate's or a b.s., i want that to be it. i don't want to have to go back to school in order to move up the career ladder (and yes, becoming a nurse administrator or head nurse is important to me).

fyi: i was accepted into one accelerated nursing program but being that it is approximately $20,000 a semester and it is 6 semester long, i don't know if i want to go there but is that really my best option? keep in mind that i went to a really expensive college that has left me in debt. i don't want to incur anymore debt than i already have.

since becoming a nurse administrator is important to you, you should go for the bsn at minimum.

i would absolutely not go $120,000 in debt for a nursing degree, particularly considering you already have significant debt.