<p>Are there any RN’s who can advise me as to how doable this would be? Would a 2 year associate degree be limiting? Does anyone know anything about the MSN degree for people who already have a bachelor’s in Bio? Any and all advice appreciated. Thank you.</p>
<p>My wife went back to school (at 47) to become an RN. Had some college previously, but no B.A. It was actually a three-year program, because the pre-reqs (9 classes) had to be completed prior to entry. More competitive than Harvard to get in - the cutoff was 8 As and 1 A-Minus in the pre-reqs; anything less and applicants were rejected (and it didn’t matter if you took the pre-reqs at Harvard). </p>
<p>She has now very happily employed as a hospice nurse, and there is a HUGE demand for nurses out here, of virtually every type. Where we live, the only kind of nursing restricted to those with just AA degrees is public health nursing. It may differ elsewhere. (Folks rejected from the two-year program often enroll in the four-year one, as it is less selective.)</p>
<p>The MSN degree is a nice option.</p>
<p>I had no idea it is so competitive. I thought there is a nursing shortage. Why is the two year program more competitive than the 4 year program? I thought a BSN was preferable.</p>
<p>Because if you think the shortage of nurses is huge, the shortage of teachers of nurses, and of facilities to teach them is even greater.</p>
<p>The two-year program is more competitive because it is local, in the community, and one can work as an LPN after the first year (unlike the 3rd year in the BSN program). So folks who want to get back into the workforce quickly, support themselves while going and to school, live at home, and gain experience quickly (which is what employers really care about), the two-year RN is more attractive. (The two-year program at Beverly CC north of Boston, last I heard, was even more competitive than the one out here, accepting about 7% of applicants).</p>
<p>I am a medical administrator, and I would suggest that you also check out Physician Assistant ¶ programs if you are interested in medicine. A PA is a mid level practitioner who can write prescriptions and do some procedures. In our area the PA works under a doctor’s supervision not on his or her own. These programs come as BAs and Masters. One of the better programs at Rutgers in NJ (I don’t know where you live), is a 3 year masters, and for a former bio major you should meet the pre reqs. A PA lifestyle can be good - in a doctor’s office, FT or PT, good salary…</p>
<p>I interview a lot of potential medical assistants from time to time, and some of them go part time to LPN or RN programs.</p>
<p>We have the same issue in our area. Also for dollar spent the RN at CC is one of the best bangs for the buck there is. Demand for RNs and pay levels are outstanding for the time expended. I know many near 50 or over who have done this, some after some illness hit their families and selves. The time spent in the medical setting gave them the idea.</p>
<p>I’ve recently retired from nursing after 30+ years. I have no sage advice to offer but some questions to think about.
A two year degree can indeed be very limiting depending on geography. You would most likely always find work, but could be mostly hospital staff nurse based. I can guarantee it would always be interesting and you would have endless learning opportunities. That’s the good news.
I think many people underestimate how physically taxing nursing is and something to consider if you are thinking of working as an RN in your sixties.
Rotating or night shifts take their toll, I managed in my 20’s, can’t even imagine doing that now. Most importantly, almost all nurses I’ve worked with have had orthopedic injuries from lifting, pulling and moving patients. Even in non hospital settings, I have had to bend and lift in emergency situations. Over the years, I have been punched, kicked and shoved by delirious and also violent patients. Despite that, I would have never traded my career for any other and would be happy if my kids chose to be nurses. Just want you to have this on your radar, ask older nurses you know how they handle the physical stress and see if you can forsee yourself doing this ten years down the line.</p>
<p>Not all nurses are hospital floor staff nurses. Get a B.S.N. or an M.S.N. Then, there are many other jobs available in nursing, and not all of them are physically taxing. Especially once she has a couple of years of nursing experience, all of her years of life experience will make her a very attractive candidate for a number of jobs for which a nursing degree is required.</p>
<p>aplicantmum77, You have received great advice above. I teach at a CC and many of my students are non-traditional students. Most of my non-traditional students are changing careers, and like you, many already have a BA/BS. I always joke that community colleges are now the new graduate schools:-) A CC would be a good option for you. Since you already have a BA, you would only have to take the science prereqs before the clinicals - which is generally about two years. Although, you have a BA in Bio, a CC might require you to repeat important classes like Anatomy & Physiology (in my CC, an A/P that is five years or older is not accepted and students are required to take it again). So, if you are looking at a CC, you might have to spend about 2-3 semesters taking the science prereqs before you go on to the clinicals (which could be 18 months to 2 years). Because you already have a BA, you should also consider 2nd-degree BSN programs. These are accelerated programs for people who already have an undergrad degree. Program lengths range from 13-months to 16-months. Those programs are very intense - but I have had many students who have done that and have survived. You should also check out the PA programs as suggested above. Good luck!</p>
<p>Hi, have to disagree with anothermom2 about PAs. </p>
<p>Consider nurse practitioner if you are interested in being a provider who write prescriptions, etc. Nursing is a profession with a long history and as an NP you have the option of practicing independently in most states.</p>
<p>But back to regular nursing.</p>
<p>Are you thinking of relocating? If not, you will need to work with the options in your area. Many places have a BA to RN option. Community college is fine but usually it takes 3 years any way because of all the prereqs; even is you have taken them before if it is more than 10 years ago most programs require retake.
BSN is more prestigious but with the nursing shortage it is not as big a deal and with a BA in psych employers will regard you not much different than a BSN. In our area (Seattle) there are many options. Some employers such as the VA offer scholarships. The VA paid for my last 2 years of nursing school + a monthly stipend and then I worked for them for 2 years.
If you work in a high need area/under served/ there are government pay off programs.
Feel free to PM me.
My sister in law did BA to NP program in 3 years; called immersion at Seattle U.
Good Luck.</p>
<p>“Not all nurses are hospital floor staff nurses.”</p>
<p>My non-BA wife has never worked even one day as a hospital floor nurse, or in a clinic or doctor’s office. With the exception of public health nursing, there are no restrictions on non-BA nurses in our state. The issue is experience, and because the non-BA nurse will have up to three years more experience than the BA nurse by the time of the latter’s graduation, the non-BA nurse actually has a leg up in employment choices.</p>
<p>As much as the “hospital floor staff nurse” is considered the avoidable job on this site, it is the most lucrative. I have been a nurse for 25 years. I have a BSN from a 4 yr. college and then a MSN in Critical Care Nursing. I work as a staff nurse in a major city hospital and make great money. The job is hard and demanding. I could of had more pristigious positions but would of been bored and unstimulated. There is alot of autonomy in our ICU for nurses and they basically control the direction of alot of the care because of their bedside experience. I would also take a large pay cut if I worked as a nurse practitioner, in administration or in a community setting. If you can afford it the MSN will make you more competitive for a better job. Yes, you will get a job but it may not be the cream of the crop. Another thing about PA versus nursing. Part-time tolerance in the nursing world is one reason why the job can be so tolerable and help with burn out. PA’s do not have that many part-time opportunities and most of the PA’s in my hospital are miserable and under appreciated</p>
<p>The OP already has a degree, so wouldn’t getting another one be redundant? Would she not be on level with a BS/BS nurse even going through a non ug degree program since she has that degree already?</p>
<p>I am curious because just as a general observation I have noticed that a focused certificate course at a CC or tech school often adds tremendous value to a general undergraduate degree. THose kids earning the most right now are the ones I know doing this. Our cousin shored up a general management business degree with a computer sciences certificate which more than doubled his income and made him sought after by companies rather than looking for all kinds of general jobs that were much lower paying. So does an air traffic controller’s program, and medical transcribing or communications in a specialty field.</p>
<p>My wife was in class with a recent summa cum laude Mt. Holyoke grad (biology major) who is now an oncology nurse. She almost didn’t get into the program because her CC pre-req grades (mind you, she was summa) were too low.</p>
<p>The OP was wondering if she should do a 2 year school for RN, or 3 for year MSN. I was saying a 3 year accelerated masters program will give her more job opportunity if she wanted to work in the city at a teaching hosp. These prograns can provide better emplyment from my observation.</p>
<p>The MSN will definitely provide management opportunities not available to the others. At least in some areas, it will also be much easier to get into.</p>
<p>
No. A BSN is a very specific degree. If the job requires one, they will not substitue a bachelors degree in another field. In the OP’s case, there may be some interesting opportunities for a RN who holds an associate degree in nursing along with the BS in bio. I’m thinking pharmaceutical company, clinical trials, etc.</p>
<p>In some cases, hospitals would prefer an RN who holds an associate degree and several certifications over a RN with a BSN who lacks the certifications. It all depends on the position.</p>
<p>Experience working as a nurse and a bio degree could pave the pathway to a CRA career (clinical reserach associate). Several CRAs I met in my former biotech work were former nurses.</p>
<p>If you are near a major teaching university hospital you might be interested in a 13 month accelerated program for people who have BS. I know Hopkins has one. It is intense but will give you the BSN. </p>
<p>There is a shortage of nurses right now, and part of the problem is that there is a real shortage of BSN/MS educators for the nursing schools. Univ of MD had to cut x number of students spots a couple of years ago because they did not have enough qualified instructors.</p>
<p>Applicantmum: Think I got some useful info for you. (read all the way through as the last 2 paragraphs are most helpful to you.)</p>
<p>I had a staff member bring a patient to see me today. She is in her 40’s and just started a nursing program at Suffolk Community College. It is an RN program. 2 or 3 years after getting all the pre-reqs. Very competitive to get in. Need all “A’s” as Mini stated above.</p>
<p>Due to your BA in Bio/psych, she suggested calling/meeting with admissions and discussing any pre-req’s you may or may not need. (Get a copy of your transcripts.)</p>
<p>It is very , very competitive to get in. Here’s the big, big hint she said to pass on to you…
Get a job at on of many hospitals out here. (She said St. Charles, Mather, Good Samaritan and others. You may have to ask which other hospitals.) Get any position at the hospital. Clerk, office staff, admissions, billing, whatever. Suffolk Commun. College HOLDS a certain number of spots in their nursing programs for these employees. Bonus… The hospital will pay your tuition too. She said the grades they require for acceptance into the program are lower for this group also. </p>
<p>Don’t know if this is the case for Nassau Community College or even if they have a nursing program, but you can call. </p>
<p>Hope this helps you out.</p>