What options do I have?

[McNurse1295]

I'm a senior at UF and will be graduating Spring 2018. My degree will be in biology but I've decided that I want to pursue a career in nursing. So far I've been doing a lot of research on accelerated programs at Florida universities, like UF, UNF, and UCF. What are the other options for me? I would like to have the equivalent of a BSN upon completion of the program, but I don't really know a lot about the difference between BSN and ASN. I see a ton of advertisements for online schools like Chamberlain and Keiser, but I don't know a lot about them either. Has anyone else been through this process before? Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!

[studentnurselisa1016]

Hello

I'm in the same boat right now finishing up an degree i finish next month i took the route of applying for 2nd degree nursing programs or ABSN programs. I did this because I didn't waste my degree that i was working towards. I also dd not want to spend a whole other 4 years trying to get another degree. If this seems like a good fit for you as well I say explore the option.

[katyq82]

If your lifestyle allows, I would go for the ABSN. You can get the same RN license with a two year degree from a community college (ASN) but you will be more competitive with the BSN, which should only take you two years if you do an accelerated second degree program. I say "if your lifestyle allows" because as a mom of two who needs to continue working while in school, the schedule and time demands of the ABSN programs weren't feasible for me. But if I were a recent college grad with no kids I would go for the ABSN. You cannot complete a degree leading to the RN license entirely online, and I would stay away from the for-profit schools if it were me. I did a lot of research and found that for the most part, the public colleges and universities are the best educational value. :) Good luck!