https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 31 Jul 2026 07:22:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nurse-bees-i-need-some-help#post-1297088 Mon, 23 Dec 2013 07:33:32 +0000 blackbird 1297088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is the BA in theater plus a MSN an option? Specifically an: Accelerated Generalist Master of Science in Nursing Degree? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nurse-bees-i-need-some-help#post-1296828 Sun, 22 Dec 2013 20:48:02 +0000 Mrs.Panda 1296828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in a similar situation as you (got my BA in Psychology which proved useless) and went back to school for nursing. I went to a community college and got my ADN and went through a local hospital to sponsor my degree. Basically, they paid for my schooling and I promised them 2 years of work. Many hospitals still do this, though not as many as there used to be. I have been working for almost 2 years as an RN and did the bridge program to get my BSN in 3 semesters. It was shorter than most because I had all of my gen ed classes done with my first BA. I am going back in 3 weeks to start my Nurse Practitioner degree. I live in Florida.</p> <p>The point is, the ADN is not useless and many people are finding employment with it. I think this is your best, cheapest route since you will be able to work and go back for your BSN at the same time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nurse-bees-i-need-some-help#post-1296763 Sun, 22 Dec 2013 19:46:22 +0000 MrsF 1296763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like others have said - I think it depends whether there are jobs available in your area (and in a specialty that you are interested in) for people without a BSN. I work in a hospital setting in boston and they only hire those with BSNs. It might be different in your are. Good luck! Nursing is a wonderful career with something for everyone and especially great for moms! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nurse-bees-i-need-some-help#post-1296665 Sun, 22 Dec 2013 17:32:27 +0000 Dapple Grey 1296665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also concur with getting your ADN and then persue the BSN, your employer will likely pay plus you can work:get experience while you do the bridge program. There are still plently of jobs out there for RN's without the bsn. Good luck regardless, healthcare is an awesome field :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nurse-bees-i-need-some-help#post-1296621 Sun, 22 Dec 2013 16:14:56 +0000 Emsmems 1296621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do option 3. Don't spend money on a useless degree, I did and regret it (still paying to loans). I would get my ADN (that's what I have) and like @mrsmenow: said, plan on going into an RN to BSN program right away (wish I would've done it right away)! But that way you can work and get experience and earn some money while you are getting your BSN, and a lot of times, your employer will help you pay for it. There are tons of RN to BSN online programs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nurse-bees-i-need-some-help#post-1296531 Sun, 22 Dec 2013 14:17:28 +0000 mrsmenow 1296531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been a nurse for almost 8 years, with my ADN- I have worked in oncology, cardiac ICU, and now peds-so it has been great for me. </p> <p>I am going back right now in a bridge program to get my master's and my work is paying for it (60% because I work .6, but would pay up to 100% if I worked full time). </p> <p>Where I live a couple of the hospitals will hire ADNs the one I work at now you have to have a lot of experience if you are an ADN and almost all of them want nurses to say they plan to go back to get their BSN. My old manager was telling us about the hospital goal to have 80% of the nurses to have or be completing their BSN within the next few years. So to be honest if you did ADN I would have it in your mind that you will have to go back and finish your BSN almost right away, but the good thing is that their are great programs that use your other college credits and it is just a couple more nursing credits. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nurse-bees-i-need-some-help#post-1295877 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 16:02:28 +0000 Mrs. Deer 1295877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know where I worked they were phasing out hiring RNs with just their associates degree, but I'm not what it's like in other places. I would lean towards option 2, or maybe get your associates and just know you may not work in your dream job setting right away, but that would be faster and you could always get your BSN later. Nursing is wonderful, I'm excited for you! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nurse-bees-i-need-some-help#post-1295843 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 15:35:51 +0000 anbanan15 1295843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The other thing is some hospitals will pay employees to go back to school. I know the one I hope to work for will pay 80% of tuition. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nurse-bees-i-need-some-help#post-1295829 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 15:26:52 +0000 Ash 1295829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have my bsn (maybe I'll get it one of these days)... but I'd do option 3. It's very feasible to work and get your bsn (especially if you find an online program). You could be done in 3 semesters all while getting experience on the floor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nurse-bees-i-need-some-help#post-1295828 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 15:26:52 +0000 NurseMommy 1295828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I should add though, that I know a number of LPNs (licensed practical nurses) who upgraded to their RN while working full time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nurse-bees-i-need-some-help#post-1295827 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 15:26:09 +0000 anbanan15 1295827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not a nurse (yet), but just went through this same thing...</p> <p>First, how many more credits do you need to finish on your existing degree? If it's only a class or two then I would probably finish that degree first, but much more than that (ie. a few semesters) and I'm not sure I would do it, especially since you are not looking forward to going back to your previous institution.</p> <p>I'm basically doing option 3. I already have 2 BS degrees and would have LOVED to do an accelerated BSN program, but there isn't one close enough that would make it possible to complete while having children...Instead I am doing an ASN program at a college specific to nursing and health sciences. It is a 2 year program, but because of my previous degrees in marine science and biology, I really only need to complete clinicals (but it will still take 2 years since you can only do one per semester). After that I plan to immediately enter into their BSN program. They offer a duel enrollment into their BSN program where you are automatically accepted into the program as long as you start within a year of completing your ASN. The BSN program is also designed specifically for the working ASN student and classes are essentially done on-line. There is no weekly "clinical" like in the ASN program (meaning you don't have set clinical hours). </p> <p>This was one of the reasons why I picked this program over a community college. The other main reason was with my program once you are accept as a clinical student you are able to start clinicals. I'm not sure how the community college programs are where you are at, but the ones around here you get accepted into the community college then have to apply into the nursing program. In order to get into the nursing program you have to have so many "points" which come from the grades you received in your pre-clinical classes. Because all my classes would have been transfer credits (I imagine most of yours would be too) I would have received points equivalent to a "C" regardless of my grades and would have needed to take a bunch of classes I didn't need in order to have enough points to even apply for the nursing program, which would have ended up taking longer than the 2 years at my current program. I know people doing the community college route in our area have been at it for 5+ years just because of how competitive the program is due to the point structure (sorry for the tangent, but just something to think about when looking into programs...yes each class might be cheaper at a community college, but not in the long run when your taking extra courses just to get enough points to be a nursing student).</p> <p>ETA: I guess here there is still a demand for RN's. I would want a BSN degree, but for me the RN to BSN option was more feasible with a family and job given the program options in our area. If you have an accelerated BSN program near you then I would go with #2, but that isn't always and option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nurse-bees-i-need-some-help#post-1295823 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 15:24:20 +0000 NurseMommy 1295823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I were you I would probably do option 2. Like @MsMini said, Canada doesn't hire diploma nurses anymore. I have my psych degree and went back at age 26 to get my BScN. Had I known all along that nursing was what I am meant to do, I wouldn't have bothered with my BA at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nurse-bees-i-need-some-help#post-1295807 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 15:12:30 +0000 MsMini 1295807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hm, in Canada, they don't hire RN's anymore - if you don't have a BScN, or loads of experience you wouldn't get hired, also here, there are no more RN only programs, only BScN. I think plans 1 and 2 would be a coin toss for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nurse-bees-i-need-some-help#post-1295798 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 15:03:30 +0000 loveisstrange 1295798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, long story short... I'm going back to college in fall 2014. My end goal is a degree in Nursing.</p> <p>My 3 options:</p> <p>1. I go back and finish my BA in Theatre and then do an accelerated BSN program. This will take probably 1.5-2 years to finish my existing degree and then 15 months for the accelerated program, 3ish years total. I end up with 2 bachelor's degrees, one of them totally useless. I would have to go back to my private, expensive university for this. I hated it there and I really dont want to go back.</p> <p>2. Go back and just go for the BSN. This is, realistically, 3-4 year total. I end up with 1 BSN. I could transfer to a state school, and spend less... but it makes the 4 years I already spent in college pretty much a waste. I feel okay about this option. I could also go to a specialized nursing school that does the while BSN in 3 years, but is more expensive.</p> <p>3. Get my associate's in Nursing. Work as an RN, do an RN to BSN program while I work. Im kind of fuzzy on how realistic this is. Probably 4ish years. I could do the first half at a community college and the second at aforementioned state school. Total cost about $26k. Perk is that I can use a special grant I can get for being a military spouse on the associate's ($4k). I feel okay about this option too, as long as it's realistic for me to be able to work with just the associate's while I finish the BSN. </p> <p>The deal is that DH is getting out of the military. We will both be unemployed and going back to being students. DH is willing to put off his going back to college for 1 year to give me a head start. One of us needs to work.</p> <p>My main questions are about the third scenario: Is the associate's a waste of time? Is it possible to work with just the associate's? Is it realistic to do the RN to BSN program while working full-time? </p> <p>Thoughts on what I should do here? </p>