1st degree worth anything?

reese19 · Sep 29, 2006

I also have a previous BA. Here's what I've been told regarding a previous degree: You do have to obtain a BSN to get your Master's in Nursing; a previous baccalaureate degree in another field won't suffice. I do not think an employer would necessarily care if a potential employee had a previous degree besides nursing ... although it certainly doesn't HURT! :)

I don't think it's "better" to go for the BSN ... UNLESS you want to further your career and education in Nursing (for example, move into a higher administrative position or pursue something like a CRNA). However, I've been told by other nurses that there have been people that they worked with who had a previous degree and an ASN, and that they moved into administrative positions within the hospital ... so I definitely DO think a previous degree is an asset to some degree, no doubt.

It's good to keep in mind that someone with an ASN will make the same salary as someone with a BSN ... It's just that, if you want to further your education or career in certain areas of administration, you need the BSN. Also, you CAN be a Charge Nurse with an ASN. My brother-in-law has an ASN and has been a charge nurse for year ... in fact, he gets calls from competing hospitals offering him bonuses to come work for them ... again, he has an ASN, not BSN.

One other thing about having a previous degree -- I don't know about your college, but one of the factors that my school looks at when considering someone for acception into clinicals is whether or not they have a previous baccalaureate degree and how well they did in that degree ... I think it is just a testiment that a person can start something and finish it successfully ... which is good when they are considering someone for clinicals!

Anyway, hope this helps!

Alli

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 29, 2006

Think of it this way ...

If the situation were reversed and you had a BSN and were now wanting to switch fields and get an Associate's Degree in another field -- such as physics or psychology or mathematics or history or whatever. How high up the career ladder in that other field would your BSN take you?

Yes, in the past and sometimes currently, people have been able to move up the nursing career ladder with only an Associate's Degree. However, the trend over the last 150 years of nursing history has been for nurses to achieve increasingly higher levels of formal education in order to move up the career ladder. Almost all major nursing organzations support the BSN as the preferred degree for all positions beyond entry level staff nurse positions.

No one can predict the future with any certainty. However, if you look at the trends ... anyone who wants career advancement in nursing should be looking at getting at least a BSN eventually. Don't misunderstand me: the other options can be a great way to start a career. But if you want advancement, you'll probably need more than the minimal entry-level degree.

llg

xt1 · Sep 29, 2006

I think there are some accelerated BSN programs for people who have a BA already.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 29, 2006

I agree with he above posts in terms of the trend is moving toward BSN. SO I am going for my ADN (financial reasons) then RN-BSN. I refuse to take out any more loans to cover costs or tuition for any degree for any reason. So I am taking the longer route despite my already having a BA and MBA. Good luck!

maryshome8 · Sep 30, 2006

I was told by a Nurse Recruiter at a major hospital system (and this only speaks for them) that they pay new grads and ADN's the same. However, for management positions they consider a social science degree plus an ADN, a BSN equivilent. I'm not sure about all hospitals.

However, as a previous poster stated, if you want to get a Masters, you have to have the BSN.

HARRN2b · Oct 1, 2006

Mary,

if you have a previous degree, it will take the same time to go for the accelerated BSN. You will probably make the same pay, but if your anal like me, you will end up going for the BSN anyway. I also have a previous degree, and most of the classes count. Really, I only need to take a few sciences and stats to apply to the acc. BSN.

romie · Oct 1, 2006

If you already have a BA, then you have a few options.

1. Accellerated BSN for students who have BA or BS in other fields. This can be anywhere from 12-18 months after you have completed pre-reqs.

2. You could simply get your ADN and then apply for RN to MSN programs for people with RN license and BS/BA in other field. ST. Xavier and UIC in IL both have this type of MSN program. It does exist!

3. Direct entry MSN for people with BA/BS in non nursing field.

Even if you simply earned an associates degree in nursing and started working, with you BA you will be able to pass up other ADN nurses with the same amount of nursing experience in some situations. So the answer to that question is yes, depending on the scenario.

Purdue725 · Oct 1, 2006

Alright here is my advice to you....

Do your ADN NOW and then you can have a hospital pay for your RN-BSN. I have been also told that if you have a BS and you have your ADN, you can go right into your MSN. Luckily at my college, a business degree is counted as a BS, so I trying to get into either ADN, or Accelerated program to do my nursing. Its very frustrating cause I got rejected from all the schools this year. I have all my pre-reqs done and all i have left is bedside work left to do. Its really irritating, but its my dream to become a nurse and I know I will get there. good luck :)