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Hello everyone, I am now researching nursing programs in the Chicagoland area. Does anyone eles here already have a bachelor's in an unrelated field?? I was wondering if anyone else who already has a bachelor's had applied to a 2 year RN program at a community college. If so, how was the application process, since your educational background differed? Did it hinder you or help speed your acceptance into the nursing program? Also does anyone else know how the programs are viewed when trying to get a job? Does the medical community prefer a 4 year degree educated RN over a 2 year degree RN? I am just wondering because I took out some hefty student loans already and the 2 year programs seems to be the most financially reasonable. I appreciate any input or advice!

Thanks.

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.

Since you already have a Bachelor's you may want to look for an accelerated BSN program. I hear they are very intense. And nursing school is already very intense to begin with.

As for ADN or BSN, there have been about a million threads on this so if you do a search (lower right hand corner of forum screen) you should find lots of opinions, and a few cat fights. :chuckle

As for hospitals preferring one over the other... With the current nursing shortage (not expected to get better only worse), they're not in a position to care. There seems to be no difference in pay for either degree, but management opportunities are more plentiful for BSN's.

You need to do whatever program best suits you, your family (if you have one to consider) and your educational background. You should talk to admissions counselors in several schools to see what would be required of you.

Good luck!

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I saw this thread last night but was too tired to respond....

My two cents? If you have a bachelor's already -- transfer all the credits you can into a transfer B.S.N. program. Alternatively, go for an accelerated BSN program (usually about a 12 month program).

Usually (but not always), BSN programs have shorter wait lists. If you have to wait 2 years to get into an Associate's program and then spend 2 or 3 years there -- you might as well have transferred into a B.S. program in the first place.

As far as finances go, I know the accelerated program I'm in participates in hospital scholarships -- my entire tuition was paid for in exchange for a 4 year work committment at a local hospital. As my class nears graduation, many of my classmates have received offers from other hospitals to "buy out" the committment they've already made somewhere else...and tuition is $26K!! If you get good grades, demonstrate good clinical skills and present yourself professionally - many hospitals will pay off your loans in exchange for a time committment to them.

I have some Chicago area classmates in my program here -- PM me if you want more info.

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PJMommy-

I have a question..I have a contract with a hospital which payed for my second degree, unfortunatly I did not really get to pick my hospital so I have been thinking about finding another hospital to buy the contract. So what I was wondering (if you have heard through the grapevine at your school), did the students approach other hospitals or were they just flat out offered? I am just really curious about how this happens.

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They went to the hospital's career fairs, they went to interviews, etc. and then just told the hospital about their other committment.

Once the people at the hospital saw someone who had their head on straight, they started making the offers.

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Thanks!!

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