Starting Over

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Hey Everyone!!!! I recently decided that I want to get into the field of nursing, I have a non-nursing BA from Umass Boston and I'm a little conflicted as to whether I should go for an Accelerated BSN or get a traditonal BSN? I was thinking about getting a ADN and taking a bridge program for BSN but I was reading that most hospitals and nursing facilities dont hire nurses with ASN. Can someone please give me some insight?

Hey there, I am also in MA with a non-nursing degree (BA/English).

I wanted to go for nursing in the first place, but I foolishly let people talk me out of it. I had people telling me that jobs are hard to find, or that Nursing is too hard, too gross, too sad, too this, too that. But I really wanted to do it. it is in my nature to take care of people. And All the jobs I have had, including my current one, I feel like I just don't matter. The work I do..is pointless. I work in retail and I think..what am I doing? I have no impact on anyone, I have no personal satisfaction in what I am doing because I really feel the need to help people. I feel like that is such a cliche saying now, but its just true.

So, I have my BA and I was going to be a teacher, but I just dont feel it. I dont feel like its enough. I went for it because I thought I would like the schedule. That is simply not a good reason to become a teacher. When it comes to teaching, or nursing, or anything that really has an affect on people, I feel like you should WANT to do it for more than the money, or the schedule, or job security. I work a set schedule right now and I actually hate it, so monotonous, mon-fri, 9-5. I feel like a hamster on a wheel.

I applied to Umass Dartmouth and Rhode Island College for nursing. I also applied for the ADN program at the CC near me, and even an LPN program. I have a lot of friends who are nurses, some LPNs, some RNs, my aunt is an Anesthesia nurse, and they all told me the same thing, that if I cant get into the 4yr school or the CC, then go for my LPN, do that for a year and then take a bridge to RN program because at least I will be licensed to work...and I can work while going for my RN..and if I somehow fail a year..I can at least still work and I wont be wasting time. So thats my plan.

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BSN is the way to go. You're at an advantage in that you won't have to take so many pre-courses so take advantage of that.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I graduated in 2002 with a BA in Biology. I worked seven years in business, and finally got around to changing my life in 2009. I can't begin to tell you how much happier I am now.

I would be happy to talk to you about the transition, as well as some of the Boston-area programs.

If you plan on working in Boston or the suburbs, you want to do a BSN. Accelerated programs are most cost and time effective, and they are offered by the best schools (which in turn pull the better clinical placements).

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You have gotten some good information here, but something jumped out at me from your original post--the idea that hospitals aren't hiring ADN/ASN nurses. I don't know what your immediate area is like, but I swear I've never heard any such thing! Once there's an "RN" after your name, I haven't found any that wouldn't hire someone with this degree or that one. Even, actually, I've seen a preference for ADN grads from a particularly good nursing school over BSN grads from a less-preferred college. It had to do with the program, not the degree. Just food for thought.

I'm sure you wouldn't find yourself being slighted for a BSN, coming from good schools such as you've named. But don't assume that ADNs aren't in similar demand. Or, I should say, in just as poor a demand as the BSNs, as the market has tightened and anyone with experience, regardless of degree, is preferred over ANY new degree.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
You have gotten some good information here, but something jumped out at me from your original post--the idea that hospitals aren't hiring ADN/ASN nurses. I don't know what your immediate area is like, but I swear I've never heard any such thing! Once there's an "RN" after your name, I haven't found any that wouldn't hire someone with this degree or that one. Even, actually, I've seen a preference for ADN grads from a particularly good nursing school over BSN grads from a less-preferred college. It had to do with the program, not the degree. Just food for thought.I'm sure you wouldn't find yourself being slighted for a BSN, coming from good schools such as you've named. But don't assume that ADNs aren't in similar demand. Or, I should say, in just as poor a demand as the BSNs, as the market has tightened and anyone with experience, regardless of degree, is preferred over ANY new degree.

Not sure where you live (assuming from the OP that they live in Boston metro area) but not a single major hospital in the Boston or suburban area will even consider hiring anything but BSN/MSN entry to practice nurses (Partners and Steward being the culprits).

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Not sure where you live (assuming from the OP that they live in Boston metro area) but not a single major hospital in the Boston or suburban area will even consider hiring anything but BSN/MSN entry to practice nurses (Partners and Steward being the culprits).

Wow, that's very restricting...unless, of course, there's such a wealth of RNs that they can afford to be so choosy. I'm in NYS, and that's certainly not the norm I've seen or heard of. Obviously wherever there's a greater number of RN's, they'll likely choose as you've described.

Still, I *have* seen the scenario in which WHERE a new grad was educated factors in, regardless of degree. I personally benefitted from that--my ADN school was more highly ranked than the one where BSNs were prepared, and so we were preferred. Sounds like Boston isn't the same, though.

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.
You have gotten some good information here, but something jumped out at me from your original post--the idea that hospitals aren't hiring ADN/ASN nurses. I don't know what your immediate area is like, but I swear I've never heard any such thing! Once there's an "RN" after your name, I haven't found any that wouldn't hire someone with this degree or that one. Even, actually, I've seen a preference for ADN grads from a particularly good nursing school over BSN grads from a less-preferred college. It had to do with the program, not the degree. Just food for thought.

Definitely depends on the region, but the same is true in my area. I've actually heard from floor nurses from more than one department at a local magnet hospital that they prefer nursing students from my community college ADN program over the BSN students from the local university, simply because the ADN program offers more hands-on training and those students actually *do* more.

It pays to check around in the area where you're going to be looking for work, as it is a very regional thing.

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BSN accelerated program.... if you want it bad enough anything is doable for a given period of time... I worked full time and went to school full time to become a NP. Had my eye on that calendar everyday and i bet if things weren't working out you could switch... they want to keep you and your money ! Just the same I wish you the best.

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