Nursing - which way to go

[castleview]

Long story short is I'm looking into nursing school now that my third baby will be in kindergarten soon. I already have a BA and have looked into accelerated BSN programs. Truth be told - I don't think I have the time, money, or grades from my undergrad days to do this program. The local community college is much cheaper so I'm considering getting the Associates then taking the RN test. If I want, I can go the Bachelors from there. Is this a good way to do it? Or is getting the associates after the Bachelors the wrong way? If any nurses have the answers or know of current threads on nursing, please help!

 

[scottishduffy]

If you can do the BSN first, i would recommend it. Just to get it done with! If have been out of school for awhile then your undergrad grades may not be too big of a deal.

However, if money is really that tight then plenty of people take the associate nurse route and then have the hospital pay for the BSN. Many hospitals will pay for the BSN, i had several of the nurses at my hospital who took this route. It means more overall time in school but is cheaper.

No matter which route you take, get the BSN. It will allow for advancement in the field and is always good to have!

 

[Disney Doll]

What's your BA in?

I would think that if you already have a Bachelors degree, then the way to go would be to get the education you need to take the RN boards, get licensed and then go for a Master's degree in Nursing if you think you want to continue your education. Why get a 2nd Bachelors degree?????

To the best of my knowledge, and I could be wrong, I don't think your undergraduate degree HAS TO be in Nursing in order to go for a Masters in Nursing. I think that if you have a Bachelors degree and are an RN, you can then go for a Masters in Nursing. Another DISer may know better or may know for sure.

 

[scottishduffy]

I am currently in a Master's Level nursing program and we are all required to have BSN degree. One of my classmates had her first bachelors in chemistry and biology (dual major) but had to go back for the BSN. I know for CRNA's every single program i looked at required the BSN. I am not sure about the Nurse practicioners but i think it may be the same. Many of these advanced practice roles are changing to Doctrate degrees in the not too far future.

Some programs may not require the BSN, but then you must have lots of experience to compensate for it. Most do require an actual BSN for Master's or Doctrate level of nursing.

 

[castleview]

What's your BA in?

I would think that if you already have a Bachelors degree, then the way to go would be to get the education you need to take the RN boards, get licensed and then go for a Master's degree in Nursing if you think you want to continue your education. Why get a 2nd Bachelors degree?????

To the best of my knowledge, and I could be wrong, I don't think your undergraduate degree HAS TO be in Nursing in order to go for a Masters in Nursing. I think that if you have a Bachelors degree and are an RN, you can then go for a Masters in Nursing. Another DISer may know better or may know for sure.

My BA is in English - so I'm definitely doing a 180 here.

 

[castleview]

I am currently in a Master's Level nursing program and we are all required to have BSN degree. One of my classmates had her first bachelors in chemistry and biology (dual major) but had to go back for the BSN. I know for CRNA's every single program i looked at required the BSN. I am not sure about the Nurse practicioners but i think it may be the same. Many of these advanced practice roles are changing to Doctrate degrees in the not too far future.

Some programs may not require the BSN, but then you must have lots of experience to compensate for it. Most do require an actual BSN for Master's or Doctrate level of nursing.

Why? So colleges can make more money?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I already have a BA and have looked into accelerated BSN programs. Truth be told - I don't think I have the time, money, or grades from my undergrad days to do this program. The local community college is much cheaper so I'm considering getting the Associates then taking the RN test. If I want, I can go the Bachelors from there.

If any nurses have the answers or know of current threads on nursing, please help!

I'm sympathetic to the difficulties you face in getting your nursing degree. But I'd still recommend going for the BSN. It will serve you better in the long run, and prepare you for anything you'll come across in the challenging career you'll have ahead of you. The last thing you want is to feel you're missing something (you'll have enough self doubt as it is). Ask yourself how you'll feel if job after job is requiring a BSN and you don't have one. Why not just start out feeling like you're at the top of your game?

 

[scottishduffy]

Why? So colleges can make more money?

Actually our own practice organizations did it. The Nurse practicioners I believe will change to doctorate level by 2015 (all the old ones will grandfathered in) and the CRNA's must be doctorate by 2020 (once again, old ones grandfathered in). The explanation is that it will increase our knowledge, and credibility in our professions to have a doctorate level of practice. It is also intended for us to achieve full autonomy from the MD's so the advanced roles can be more independent. Few colleges offered the doctorate before the regulation change but now schools are developing the programs.

My school is offering the doctorate starting in a year or two. I will have the option to do it by adding on an extra year when i graduate. Don't know if i will, I need some time off! I may pursue it later on though...

 

[ReneeA]

I'm sympathetic to the difficulties you face in getting your nursing degree. But I'd still recommend going for the BSN. It will serve you better in the long run, and prepare you for anything you'll come across in the challenging career you'll have ahead of you. The last thing you want is to feel you're missing something (you'll have enough self doubt as it is). Ask yourself how you'll feel if job after job is requiring a BSN and you don't have one. Why not just start out feeling like you're at the top of your game?

I'm surprised - every instructor and RN (including the nurse manager that I work for in the ICU stepdown) says just the opposite - get your ADN and then let the hospital you work for pay for the rest of your education.

There are several universities in MI that offer direct ADN to Masters in nursing, which would serve you well considering you already have a BA.

I'm almost done with my ADN right now - I am 35, have 2 kids in elementary school. I also have really good grades and we have a fairly low income right now. I qualified for $12,000 a year in scholarships - school doesn't cost that much, so I get $6,000 cash back every year. When I graduate, I will only have $5,000 in loans that I'll probably get paid when I sign a contract with the hospital I work at now upon graduation.


ETA: I would do some research into the ADN and BSN programs near you. The program I'm in (an ADN program) is competitive admissions. We have the highest hire rate, highest NCLEX pass rate, and they require more clinical hours than the BSN programs in our area. Look around a bit to find the right fit for you.

 

[crz4mm2]

I'd go for the ADN as well. You can always go on and get the BSN if you so desire..... BUT not EVERY APN program requires the BSN, many will take a bachelors in some other field.

Good luck to you. I did ADN, then BSN and MSN.......

 

[Cindy F]

Since you already have a non nursing bachelors, I would recommend the ADN program first then a bridge program. A bridge program allows RNs with a non nursing bachelors to "bridge" from the ADN to a MSN in an additional 2 - 2 1/2 years. During that time, you could be working as an RN as well as possibly having your employer fund your bridge program.

There are many different types of MSNs, not all of them qualify for bridging but quite a few do. Good luck!

ETA: Here's an example http://www.spc.edu/PAGES/1254.asp

 

[Ohiodislover]

I have been an ADN for 13 years now. Thought about going back, but life just gets in the way sometimes.

In the areas I've worked SW Ohio, and Baltimore Md, no one has even asked, yet alone checked my level of college. It's on my resume, but seriously, no one has cared, and it has in no way affected my earning potential.

I agree, go for the ADN, and go back if/when you can, and most definitely get an employer to pay for it, if that opportunity presents itself.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm surprised - every instructor and RN (including the nurse manager that I work for in the ICU stepdown) says just the opposite - get your ADN and then let the hospital you work for pay for the rest of your education.

We've had this discussion before. My managers would disagree since my hospital is no longer hiring non BSN nurses. It probably varies by area and where you would like to work.

 

[Cindy F]

We've had this discussion before. My managers would disagree since my hospital is no longer hiring non BSN nurses. It probably varies by area and where you would like to work.

That's true. We hired RNs of all different educational backgrounds but management required at least a BSN, those that wanted to move up but not into management, went into the clinical ladder program which there again-after tier one-required a BSN or MSN.

We also paid an additional $4 per hour for nurses certified through the ANCC in their area of practice-Some of the certifications require a minimum of a BSN to qualify to take the exam.

If you did do the ADN first, I would definitely recommend the bridge program afterward-it just opens the door to more opportunities.

 

[ReneeA]

If you did do the ADN first, I would definitely recommend the bridge program afterward-it just opens the door to more opportunities.

 

[Cindy F]

.......

I'm almost done with my ADN right now - I am 35, have 2 kids in elementary school. I also have really good grades and we have a fairly low income right now. I qualified for $12,000 a year in scholarships - school doesn't cost that much, so I get $6,000 cash back every year. When I graduate, I will only have $5,000 in loans that I'll probably get paid when I sign a contract with the hospital I work at now upon graduation.

Congrats and DON'T STOP!! LOL I went straight from my BSN to the MSN and was so glad I did. I took "a year off before going back for the doctorate" and the year turned into 10

I was a 30 year old newly single mom with a 7 year old and an 8 month old when I graduated with the BSN and 2 years later had the MSN. Smartest thing I had ever done.

You will be so happy when you're done but you'll be even happier if you don't take that "dreaded 10 year long break" and go ahead and find a bridge program near you. It's hard not to stop.....after 4 years of school and a horrid pregnancy, just the thought of going straight through for another 2 years was enough to make me cry but it was so worth it.

Just as an FYI, I found Home Health nursing to be perfect with 2 young children. Very flexible-just worked about 6 hours a day seeing patients in my area. You might want to give it a try and see if you like it.

I'm happy for you! Your story reminds me of mine...sigh... it just doesn't seem like 12 years ago.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This is one of those subjects that opens up a lot of debate. This has been the case for decades.

For your reading enjoyment, from the American Nurse's Assocation:

http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMen...clePreviousTopic/EntryIntoPracticeUpdate.aspx

http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMen...02/No2May2002/RelevanceofAssociateDegree.aspx

castleview, do what works for you. Good luck.

 

[Cindy F]

Here's another good one:

http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMen...2002/No2May2002/EntryintoNursingPractice.aspx

 

[ReneeA]

Awww, thanks!

I don't plan to stop. As a matter of fact, I already contacted the local university to find out what more I'll need to go from my ADN to BSN. Fortunately, my program has a working agreement with them and all I'll need is a chemistry class, a foreign language class, and 3 more nursing classes - no additional clinical hours since the program I'm in require so many.

Thank goodness for all those fluff courses I took between 18-20 years old. This is the first time they've been of great use to me!

 

[Disney Doll]

Before I did the ADN to BSN program, I'd look in to getting an ADN/RN, then doing an RN to MSN bridge program, as PPs have adivsed. I just don't see the value in getting a 2nd Bachelors degree.

Google "RN to MSN programs" and see what you come up with. there's a lot of info.