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Specializes in N\A.

Ok - I have an AA degree (general transfer) and I have a big chunk of my nursing pre-req's done. Just A&P2 and Micro left ( but some schools have micro within the nursing program). I have been "shopping" for schools online and have come across the ADN and BSN way. But I am confused as to which I apply for. I would def like a BSN, but I thought you needed a ADN first (for most BSN colleges its an RN-BSN), and a few of the universities showed a transfer and straight into a BSN program without any nursing history. Is this something I should pay attention too? Am I wasting my time looking around for ADN's when I already have 70+ credits ??? Need some advice. Thanks!!! :o

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Specializes in N\A.

somebody please help, i've been calling around and nobody is really pointing me in any direction. Starting to look at private schools but dont know how the pre-req's will work. any advice would help, I dont know when i would be accepted to the schools or such and which ones suck and wich ones are better. thanks

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Specializes in Ortho/Neurosurgical.
somebody please help, i've been calling around and nobody is really pointing me in any direction. Starting to look at private schools but dont know how the pre-req's will work. any advice would help, I dont know when i would be accepted to the schools or such and which ones suck and wich ones are better. thanks

Hind

I have a bachelors degree in Business, and had almost all of my prereq's done, but Im going back for my Associates RN, then it will be a breeze to get my BSN. MOST quality AA to BSN programs require you to be an RN before you apply (therefore, having your associates in nursing too), I think I've only seen a few conversions for generic AA to BSN, but you end up spending 4 years in school anyhow because at that point you have no clinical experience. My suggestion, is go with a cheap community college to get your A.S. in nursing and then do an "accellerated BSN program" later. That's just me.

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Specializes in Progressive Care.

I am in my senior year of a BSN degree. I went straight for the BSN with no previous degree. There are two paths you can take to become a registered nurse. You can obtain an Associate Degree or a Bachelor Degree. Both degrees qualify you to take the NCLEX-RN exam to be a registered nurse. The difference in the work place is that Bachelor degree RN's typically move into management positions. I wanted to get my BSN because I plan to get a MSN one day and eventualy a DNP.

Usually univeristies that have RN-BSN programs also have a regular BSN program. Don't be afraid to call your local nursing schools to get your questions answered. I know that I bugged my nursing school constantly before I ever got admitted. :)

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Specializes in Progressive Care.

I just reread your original post. I think you are asking whether or not you can get an online BSN without having an ADN first. This is not possible. You need clinical experience before you can obtain a nursing degree. Trust me, there is no way to teach clinical experience online. :)

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Specializes in N\A.

so an RN(ADN)- to BSN dosent include clinicals?

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Specializes in Progressive Care.

No, RNs who have their ADN do not have to take clinicals in order to get their BSN. They get clinical experience everyday at work. The courses they take are like humanities, arts, and a few nursing courses specific to the BSN programs like managment, research, and a few others.

I hope this answers your question. If you already have an associate degree in general ed, then you may want to go for the BSN first rather than the ADN. The number of clinical courses and nursing courses do not vary from either degree. The difference is mainly in the general ed. courses which you have probably already done. Either way you go you will have to get your degree at an university or community college and will not be able to complete it online.

Good luck!! :)

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An ASN or straight BSN program would require clinicals and some RN-to-BSN programs will require clinicals - you might shadow a hospital educator, do a management practicum, things like that. Just depends on the program that you elect. But, as stated above, many RN-to-BSN programs are classes only.

If you think it might be a lot faster to finish the ASN, then you might want to do that as NRSNFL suggested. The advantage there is that you can get out in the working world as an RN quicker, start gaining that nursing experience, then complete the RN-to-BSN while you work.

To get a better idea of what's ahead, make an appointment to sit down with advisors from your local nursing program(s). They should be able to help clarify whether going straight for the BSN would be a good option in your case.

Good luck!

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Specializes in N\A.

wow thanks, sounds like my situation wont be so bad in the long run after all

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