Value of non-nursing Bachelors?

[CainRN]

Hey all, I am graduating in May 2010 with my associates in nursing. I plan to get my BSN in a few years, but I have almost enough non-nursing credits to get a Bachelors in liberal studies. To get it, I would have to take about 6 more classes over the course of the next couple years (mostly online), two of which are pre-reqs for BSN programs. My question is would it benefit me to complete this degree in addition to my ASN and eventual BSN or do most hospitals and MSN programs only look at nursing degrees? I hope I was clear about the situation. Thanks for any help you can provide.

[elkpark]

Non-nursing degrees have little value within nursing (except maybe MBAs). You'd be better off putting your time and energy into completing a BSN.

[valkyria, BSN, RN]

i have a different opinion. i had a degree (bs) in sociology/education and an aa in psych before i got my bsn. organizations seem to believe, those that are bright enough, that it makes you more well rounded and accomplished. if you are so close, it would be a shame not to finish. what are your grades like for your undergrad? many organizations, here u of m is one, will take you if you have an undergrad degree. they understand that you can set goals and eventually get there. all that you have so far should mean something. it was not without effort, right? just one woman's opinion. oh, i have a masters in education and i am going for my arnp/ms and not my phd. that is what i have found, i wanted to teach clinicals and cannot without an msn.

good luck whatever you decide.

[CainRN]

I have a 3.8gpa at the moment. Academically, I know I can handle it, it's just whether or not the work will be worth the pay off.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think it is a pretyy close call.

Follow your heart. If the non-nursing discipline is something you are going to use directly to get a job, then it might be worthwhile to complete first ... or if you have lots of extra money available to spend on extra education. Do you think that other bachelor's will lead directly to a non-nursing job that interests you? It will be of little use in advancing your nursing career -- but might help a little for a few particular jobs.

However, if you want to get ahead in your nursing career quickly, focus on the BSN first and then maybe complete the other bachelor's after you have given yourself additional career opportunities by getting that BSN.

[CainRN]

The nice thing about this degree is that all the courses I need, save two, can be completed online. It would just be a matter of adding on those two classes this Fall and Spring. I will be able to finish the degree wherever I end up getting my first nursing job. If I decide to pursue my BSN first, I can put the BLS on hold as long as my credits don't expire (10 years I think). In writing this reply I seem to have answered my own question...

[bgood1967]

I have a BA in Literature and History. I am now working on my BSN. Many of my credits transferred, shortening my trip to a BSN. Is another degree worth it? Oh yes! I am much more well-rounded, can relate better with many of my patients, and have more options if the physical aspects of being a nurse become too much (I have MS). No education is wasted.

[Bug Out, BSN]

My wife and I went to the same Nursing school at the same time. We have the same amount of CNA experience...actually I have 6 months on her. I had a better GPA, 3.75 vs 2.85.

She received 7 call backs and 3 interviews in about a month period. I received 1 call back and 1 interview after 5 months.

Applied to the same places for the same departments.

Difference between us? She has a BA in an unrelated field. Degrees, even in other fields, show a professionalism that will distinguish you from the others. Don't discount an unrelated degree...a degree is a degree is a degree.