Want to get my BSN, but beginning to get discouraged

szeles23 · Jul 25, 2011

I have an A.S. in general studies and didn't have to have a ton of math classes. Come to think of it the only maths I took were college algebra and statistics. You should look into an A.S. in general studies. HTH Just do what you can to bring up your gpa. Also make sure your pre-reqs have As and Bs. They give more weight to those when applying to nursing school. I know my 4 year school, the minimum gpa was a 2.0. I think it was the same for the CC I went to. Why not just try for your ADN and then bridge to a bsn later? Sometimes its a better way to go. Good luck.

szeles23 · Jul 25, 2011

Have you looked into an associate of arts/ anything that just gives you your gen. ed. credits?

Ethsmom · Jul 25, 2011

I have an A.S. in general studies and didn't have to have a ton of math classes. Come to think of it the only maths I took were college algebra and statistics. You should look into an A.S. in general studies. HTH Just do what you can to bring up your gpa. Also make sure your pre-reqs have As and Bs. They give more weight to those when applying to nursing school. I know my 4 year school, the minimum gpa was a 2.0. I think it was the same for the CC I went to. Why not just try for your ADN and then bridge to a bsn later? Sometimes its a better way to go. Good luck.

I did originally want to go for my ADN first, and then do an RN-BSN program, but I heard that employers are looking to hire more nurses with bachelors now. Does anyone know if this is true? The advisor that I talked with is telling me that I have to take Precalculus before I can take Physics, but before I can even take Precalculus, I need Basic Algebra I and II and in addition to those math classes, I'll also need Calculus with Analytical Geometry I and Statistics.

DarkBluePhoenix · Jul 25, 2011

I think it depends on your area.

here in southern California, BSN is pretty much required since there are only a handful of BSN programs and about double or triple the amount of ADN programs. the way I look at it is to think, would I look more unique with a BSN or an ADN?

Both are good programs but why spend 2 years of hard work to not have a job in the end?

(Not that BSNs get jobs automatically, its just a little bit easier)

speaking of, a lot of hospitals are doing internships and new grad programs and minimum requirement for them is BSN.

DarkBluePhoenix · Jul 25, 2011

Why on earth would you need physics?

That's just ridiculous!

Ans you don't need calculus either. Are going for engineering? Lol

I would see a new advisor. They don't seem to know what they are talking about.

If your program (an ADN? Program?) needs physics or calculus then time to go somewhere else

Cassie_Flip · Jul 25, 2011

I agree that I don't understand why you need all these math classes?? However if you're deciding that you want to get your BSN be prepared to bring your GPA up to at least a 3.5 for a nursing program. BSN programs are very competitive and it could take more than your first time applying to be accepted as they usually select students upon merit and not through a lottery like most community colleges do. So if the plan is that you want to complete a BSN degree in only 4 years you might need to be a little more flexible.

For an ADN you generally only need at the most Intermediate Algebra for any schools I've ever looked at. Universities I believe require at least Statistics. And the most challenging classes are usually your sciences. So depending on your High School Biology and Chemistry you may need to take both 101's again to be able to meet the criteria for Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology. Again Universities generally require Organic Chemistry, so you might be looking at 1-3 Chem classes to get caught up depending where you're at. So just those classes alone could take 4-6 semesters depending on how fast you work. And is your universities nursing program 4 semesters? 5? 6? All of those are common so it could potentially take 5-7 years to complete if you were accepted right away.

So you really have to decided if you feel like you can complete all the required pre-req's and general studies to apply for a BSN. It may be easier for you to do the ADN to RN-BSN. CC's usually only look at your cumulative GPA for your pre-req courses too, so prior bad grades may not effect you're acceptance for an ADN.But you have to decided which would be better for you personally.

I wish you good luck! :):)

Ethsmom · Jul 25, 2011

I agree that I don't understand why you need all these math classes?? However if you're deciding that you want to get your BSN be prepared to bring your GPA up to at least a 3.5 for a nursing program. BSN programs are very competitive and it could take more than your first time applying to be accepted as they usually select students upon merit and not through a lottery like most community colleges do. So if the plan is that you want to complete a BSN degree in only 4 years you might need to be a little more flexible.
For an ADN you generally only need at the most Intermediate Algebra for any schools I've ever looked at. Universities I believe require at least Statistics. And the most challenging classes are usually your sciences. So depending on your High School Biology and Chemistry you may need to take both 101's again to be able to meet the criteria for Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology. Again Universities generally require Organic Chemistry, so you might be looking at 1-3 Chem classes to get caught up depending where you're at. So just those classes alone could take 4-6 semesters depending on how fast you work. And is your universities nursing program 4 semesters? 5? 6? All of those are common so it could potentially take 5-7 years to complete if you were accepted right away.
So you really have to decided if you feel like you can complete all the required pre-req's and general studies to apply for a BSN. It may be easier for you to do the ADN to RN-BSN. CC's usually only look at your cumulative GPA for your pre-req courses too, so prior bad grades may not effect you're acceptance for an ADN.But you have to decided which would be better for you personally.
I wish you good luck! :):)

Thanks :) Do you think that getting an ADN first will be better? I know it will be easier time wise, but if I have to do 2-3 extra years for a BSN, especially if it's the better route to go, I'm willing to do it. This semester, I'm planning on signing up for classes just to get my GPA up, and not following the hard math route that the advisor recommended. Also, I has a classmate tell me that taking science classes is better at a university than a community college. What's your opinion on that?

Cassie_Flip · Jul 25, 2011

Thanks :) Do you think that getting an ADN first will be better? I know it will be easier time wise, but if I have to do 2-3 extra years for a BSN, especially if it's the better route to go, I'm willing to do it. This semester, I'm planning on signing up for classes just to get my GPA up, and not following the hard math route that the advisor recommended. Also, I has a classmate tell me that taking science classes is better at a university than a community college. What's your opinion on that?

I'm personally going the ADN route and I feel that for myself and my circumstances it is best. I'm not willing to incur massive debt for a University education when I know for a fact that my local community college has professors better than said University (they often share instructors as well). I pay 100% out of my own pocket for my education and for me it's the most practical choice. Also, the fact that it will take me 3-4 semesters to finish my undergrade requirements just to apply to a University versus the 1 semester I have left for my CC makes it more appealing since I still have to work full-time while taking pre-reqs. For my local U I know of it taking several times applying just to be accepted. And while it could potentially take up to 3 times applying to my CC for acceptance, time is a consideration. This univeristy also offers a 15 month online RN-BSN and with all the health care professionals and nurses in my life, they think this is advisable because the local hospitals will pay towards tuition after being hired.

CC's will usually only look at your pre-req cumulative GPA and you'll want at least a 3.5 to remain competitive. And as far as some one saying that science classes are better at a U is a matter of opinion. If it is a concern you can speak to your advisor and ask about the labs and teachers for those courses. A good instructor or a bad instructor is generally what makes the class.

Ethsmom · Jul 25, 2011

I'm personally going the ADN route and I feel that for myself and my circumstances it is best. I'm not willing to incur massive debt for a University education when I know for a fact that my local community college has professors better than said University (they often share instructors as well). I pay 100% out of my own pocket for my education and for me it's the most practical choice. Also, the fact that it will take me 3-4 semesters to finish my undergrade requirements just to apply to a University versus the 1 semester I have left for my CC makes it more appealing since I still have to work full-time while taking pre-reqs. For my local U I know of it taking several times applying just to be accepted. And while it could potentially take up to 3 times applying to my CC for acceptance, time is a consideration. This univeristy also offers a 15 month online RN-BSN and with all the health care professionals and nurses in my life, they think this is advisable because the local hospitals will pay towards tuition after being hired.
CC's will usually only look at your pre-req cumulative GPA and you'll want at least a 3.5 to remain competitive. And as far as some one saying that science classes are better at a U is a matter of opinion. If it is a concern you can speak to your advisor and ask about the labs and teachers for those courses. A good instructor or a bad instructor is generally what makes the class.

Thank you so much :)

hardworkpaysoff, MSN, RN · Jul 25, 2011

It seems like your counselor may have you taking some unecessary classes. In their eyes, it might seem like the more classes you take at their school the better, but taking 5+ semesters before transfering over is not the way to go. Whether you do the ADN or BSN first is completely up to you (I see benefits in both routes), but take classes that are leading to your goal of nursing. So that means Physics, Calculus, and all the extra math might be unecessary and overkill, unless you're taking them for fun & you have extra time.

In the mean time, I would focus on the prerequisites that also takes some time (Anatomy, Physio, Micro, Chem, Nutrition, Stats, Psych, etc.). During that time you could do some research on which programs/schools you want to apply to, which route to take, and what the requirements are.

Also, it wouldn't hurt to talk to a Nursing Counselor at your school to figure out some direction.

mangopeach · Jul 25, 2011

The only extra math classes you will have to take if you scored poorly on the Compass - are the remedial math classes. Depending on your score, you may have to take 1 or 2 beginner's math classes before you can take a college level math class. Perhaps that is what she meant? I scored poorly on the Math portion of the Compass as well and had to take beginner's level math classes before collegiate level math classes. Anyhoo, don't worry, if you have problems with math, it will be a good thing. That was when I started my journey 2 years ago. My how time flies! Here I am about to start my 3rd semester of nursing school. So if you have to take remedial math, don't let it get you down.

Its best if you speak with an Advisor in the Nursing Dept at the schools you are interested in. They know exactly what is required for the program. Its extremely competitive to get into most schools these days, be it ADN or BSN programs so work hard to get your GPA up. Good luck!