Starting education from the bottom. End goal is obtaining BSN.

MA Nurse · Apr 11, 2017

To get my AA in nursing it took me a total of 4 years. I have been a nurse for 27 years now. One things I've always heard is "some day the entry requirement to be a nurse will be a BSN." This has never happened in my career. Just recently I have noticed some hospitals require a BSN. Bedside AA nurses and BSN nurses make the same money. At least in California they do. It depends on what you want to do. Management positions in nursing usually require a BSN. Are you wanting to become an LVN first to get experience? I didn't understand why you would get an LVN license first. You don't need to, unless you want to. The AA degree is definitely the cheaper route vs. a BSN. If you really want a BSN, I suggest you just go for it. Or you will get an AA and might not have the energy to get a BSN. I became a nurse before I had kids, though. But I still haven't the desire to get a BSN. No time or money. Good luck to you! Also, having an AA degree has not limited my nursing at all. I was able to start in the NICU as a new grad! I've never heard of an AA in "pre" nursing. You can get an AA and be a RN.

Mommyninja · Apr 11, 2017

Thank you! That actually cleared up a few questions I had. I suppose the idea of LVN stemmed from Rio Hondo University's LVN-BSN Bridge Program... seemed appealing. Thanks again for the feedback!

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2017

I'm confused about getting an associate's in pre-nursing. I've never seen "pre nursing" offered as a degree. You can get an AAS in nursing, take the NCLEX, and then do an RN-BSN bridge program. You can take prerequisites at a community college and then apply to a 4-yr school as a transfer student (but first verify that classes can transfer.) If you want to do a LPN-RN(AAS or BSN) bridge program, you will need to first attend an LPN program.

I personally would not work on a degree that doesn't qualify you to sit for the NCLEX -- such as an AA/AS in anything but nursing. Focus your time and money on the classes required for nursing

calivianya, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2017

I advise people to go straight for the BSN, just because some employers do prefer it now. I like stacking the deck in my favor - I personally would maximize my chance at getting the job I want vs. having to settle for something less desirable and/or having to move.

You might want to research what type of nurses (LPN vs ADN vs BSN) the employers in your area are actually hiring before you decide on what kind of program to attend.

As an example, the hospital system I work for laid off all of the LPNs two years ago. There are a lot more LPNs around here than open LPN positions. However, we are so short staffed in the RN department they're offering crazy referral incentives and awesome bonuses for overtime. Make sure you know your city's market before you pick a degree type... it would suck to get a degree and pass your boards, and then be unemployed with student loans hanging over your head.

AdobeRN · Apr 11, 2017

I went back to school as an adult with a husband and 2 kids. Started back when my youngest started Kinder - I had some college credits from right after high school but not alot. Started with my basics and worked my way thru the required classes. I did the LVN program first, then LVN-RN bridge program thru a community college. I started on my BSN but at this point in my life I don't think it would be financially wise to pursue - my kids now have started college and we are trying to help them get thru with as little debt as possible.

LVN program was not a first choice for me - the RN programs are very competitive in my area, difficult to get into. I applied to the LVN program just because I didn't get into any of the local RN programs. Finished the LVN program and turned around and went directly into a LVN-RN bridge program thru the same community college. During the RN program I was able to work a bit as an LVN to bring in extra money.

I would always recommend going straight for your BSN-especially if you have the grades, money and time. I don't know if you will have an easier time getting a job as BSN vs ADN - I did not have any problems getting a job right out of each of the programs - was hired before I graduated both times. Rumors have been going around for years about the whole BSN thing - how places are not hiring unless you have your BSN, I just have a hard time believing that is true especially in my area where there are at least 5 ADN programs that are turning out 100+ graduates each semester - where are all these people getting jobs at if hospitals are not hiring ADNs???

Mommyninja · Apr 11, 2017

The community college I will be attending offers a pre-nursing degree that essentially covers all of the prerequisites that are required to apply for most any nursing program. 18 units total. I still need to meet with a school counselor to discuss the program to make sure it's the right fit.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2017

You are located in either California or Texas if you are using the 'LVN' title.

If you are in CA, your employment options will be severely limited without the BSN degree. Most employment markets in CA are saturated with new grad RNs, so the BSN degree is used to effectively weed out more than half of the job applicant pool.

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Apr 12, 2017

The community college I will be attending offers a pre-nursing degree that essentially covers all of the prerequisites that are required to apply for most any nursing program. 18 units total. I still need to meet with a school counselor to discuss the program to make sure it's the right fit.

Mine does, too. I'll be graduating next month with an Associates of Science in Biology, which is their "pre-nursing" degree, though it requires 60 hours. That part took me about three years, but I did decide to take some remedial classes to get me back where I needed to be as it had been about 15 years since I'd taken a math class. Next up is nursing school

When all is said and done it'll have taken me about 5 years for my BSN.