Which path should I take to become an RN?

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 12, 2014

In our area there are no medical assistant to RN programs. LPN to RN would take a long time to complete, given your background.

Your quickest option is to complete all the courses you're lacking for the accelerated program and then apply for accelerated. Why waste all that time & money on the other routes?

UVA Grad Nursing · Jun 12, 2014

Go for an accelerated program (ABSN or a Master's Entry). There will be prereqs to take before you apply, but you should be able to take these at your local community college.

We've enrolled folks with fine arts degrees into our Master's Entry program before.

nlynrob · Jun 12, 2014

There's no reason you need to become an MA or LPN before getting your RN. You can take all the pre-reqs and then apply to ADN, BSN, and ABSN programs and see where you get in, or you can take the other route and apply to second degree RN programs, which are specifically for people who already have a bachelors degree in another field and would give you your BSN after completion.

Catherine Stickles · Jun 12, 2014

First of all, Im so glad I did this. This is the first real advice I have gotten so far. Thank you all very much. Should I just go to my local community college's for the pre-requsites? And since I'm not sure where I will be going for the accelerated program, should I just take these?

- Statistics

- Introduction to psychology

- Introduction to sociology/anthropology

- Developmental Psychology

- Microbiology

- Anatomy and physiology

- General chemistry

- Intro to organic and biochemistry

And after I get these out of the way, start applying to programs?

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 12, 2014

Don't waste money taking "re-requisite" classes before you figure out where you will be applying for your nursing education. Each school has different requirements and you wouldn't want to invest a lot of time and money taking the wrong courses.

Explore your options. Decide where you want to apply. Meet with them and find out what pre-requisites you will need ... and THEN start completing those pre-req's at a convenient community college near you.

Don't start "blindly" taking classes, assuming you can guess what will be required. Actually talk to the school and get your transcripts evaluated by them so that you be sure to take the right things.

chartreuse · Jun 12, 2014

Yes, look into specific programs you are interested in and see what courses they require before signing up. I haven't seen any in my area that didn't require anatomy and physiology and microbiology, so I think you can start there. But some schools are very picky as to which college they'll accept credit from, so again it's best to look at which programs you want to pursue and go from there.

RunBabyRN · Jun 13, 2014

I agree about doing your research, but most of what you listed is required for all nursing programs. Some programs may require some other class as well, so be sure to fulfill any other requirements. Apply to as many programs as you'd consider attending. You could still do an aBSN program. Going through the chain of MA/CNA, LVN/LPN, ADN, BSN is the longest, slowest route available. If you know you want your BSN, go straight for it. An accelerated program is absolutely your fastest route.

Also, I've never heard of a medical assistant to RN program. Medical assistants even have a different approach than do CNAs, and my program required CNA certification before starting.

Catherine Stickles · Jun 13, 2014

I misspoke when I said MA to RN- I meant to say RN programs that do not have prerequisites. I have been looking at associate degree programs for RNs as well. I would like to hear anyone's opinion on that route.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

There are going to be fewer and fewer jobs for ADN nurses. Forget that. If you check your local Sunday papers you'll see few nursing jobs at all, and most of the ones you'll see will say "BSN preferred" or "required." And though most prenursing students and enrolled students fixate on bedside nursing, and many will start there after they graduate and pass NCLEX, so they say, "We all take the same NCLEX and ADN is fine!," you have enough maturity to realize that you have a long working life ahead of you, and the sooner you get your BSN (and MN, if you want), the more opportunities you'll have for all kinds of nursing jobs. I recommend you check out the yellow band at the top of the page and hit "Specialties," and lose yourself in there for awhile. Most will require at least a BSN, and many want more. Why be behind the curve?

I hear you about wanting to be done, but you can't ever go back and do it right the first time if you don't do it right the first time. :) Do the BSN asap, don't fart around with an ADN. It's not the easy road people think.

(flameproofies on-- this is one of the most contentious arguments in nursing!)

(Oh, and C.S.-- change your posting name immediately, and never post a recognizable picture of yourself. There are many, many excellent reasons why AllNurses strongly recommends anonymity here. The mods can help you if you can't figure it out.)

Student Mom to Three · Jun 13, 2014

Statistically, going straight for your BSN may help land you a job more easily. I don't know. I hear that ALL the time, and it probably is true although I haven't seen the stats.

You can find stories of folks who made it work going another route, however. I am an older (mid 40s) second degree ADN. I have a BS in Psych from about 100 years ago. In my two years as an RN I have been a school RN, a consulting RN for an ALF, a supervisor in a women's health ASC and now have been in outpt endoscopy for about a year. I have an offer from the VA for the endo dept and will hopefully start there by the end of the summer after I work my way through a myriad of paperwork. All with a crummy ADN. I'm not in a rural area....I'm in a metro area in the Pacific NW. I believe the VA will help fund my BSN and/or MSN.

The ADN took approximately $8k and two and a half years of my life. Pretty decent return on investment. I am sure I have had luck on my side and maybe some decent cover letter writing and interview skills. But I am nothing terribly special.

I only tell you my story because I think it is kind of a different route than many take and it can lead to success. Every job I have had has been fabulous and I am so happy I took the route I did.

Just another perspective. Good luck with whatever you choose....it is all good!!

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

I agree about the BSN. You should really at least look into ABSN programs. The entire point of them is people making career changes. I had my first bachelors in business before I did my ABSN. As long as you meet the required GPA and the pre reqs for nursing school done you have a shot at it.