4 answers
Samantha
Student
Montgomery, Alabama
1
Question
Asked
477 views
hello, I'm not to close to college but i wanted to get a idea of the transitioning process from college to nursing school?
Hello, I am not too close to college but I wanted to see what is the transitioning process from college to nursing school???
Login to comment
4 answers
Alison Hudson
Registered Nurse
5
Answers
Concord, California
Updated
Alison’s Answer
There are many routes to becoming a nurse but if you know it is what you want to do, then it is never too early to start planning.
The quickest route is High School -> Direct Entry BSN -> Take NCLEX Rn exam. Not all Colleges with Nursing Programs offer direct entry BSNs but it is becoming more common. In this route, a High School Students overall GPA and college entry test scores are taken into consideration and if deemed acceptable, the student is admitted directly to the nursing program (conditionally of course). The student then completes the two years of college undergraduate prep courses required prior to nursing school, and if they maintain a school specific GPA, are guaranteed a seat in the Nursing program which make up the final two years of a 4 year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (my sister did this route)
However, for Colleges that do not offer direct entry BSN programs, the student must first be accepted to the College and complete the two years of undergraduate prep courses required prior to nursing school, then during the second year submit a second application to gain acceptance into the Nursing program of that college. This route also takes 4 years, however you are not guaranteed entry into the program, which may delay your time to degree completion. Once the degree is completed, then that student is eligible to take the NCLEX RN board exam.
Another route is High School -> Community College for Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) ->NCLEX RN exam. Depending on where you live, this may be a good route for you, and it can many times be more cost effective. In California, where I live, many hospitals are requiring Nurses to have bachelors degrees but this is not the case everywhere in the US. This route takes 2-3 years. There are also many ADN-RN to BSN-RN "bridge" programs offered throughout the US and online. These typically take 1 year and sometimes you can receive financial reimbursement from the hospital you work for if you decide to pursue a BSN degree (my cousin did this route)
Yet another route is entering a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program after high school, then doing a LVN -> ADN-RN bridge program to obtain your Registered Nurse (RN) license. You can then pursue the ADN to BSN bridge program I mentioned above if you so choose. I work with many RNs who started as LVNs and did the various bridge programs to eventually complete their BSN-RN.
I hope this was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions :)
The quickest route is High School -> Direct Entry BSN -> Take NCLEX Rn exam. Not all Colleges with Nursing Programs offer direct entry BSNs but it is becoming more common. In this route, a High School Students overall GPA and college entry test scores are taken into consideration and if deemed acceptable, the student is admitted directly to the nursing program (conditionally of course). The student then completes the two years of college undergraduate prep courses required prior to nursing school, and if they maintain a school specific GPA, are guaranteed a seat in the Nursing program which make up the final two years of a 4 year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (my sister did this route)
However, for Colleges that do not offer direct entry BSN programs, the student must first be accepted to the College and complete the two years of undergraduate prep courses required prior to nursing school, then during the second year submit a second application to gain acceptance into the Nursing program of that college. This route also takes 4 years, however you are not guaranteed entry into the program, which may delay your time to degree completion. Once the degree is completed, then that student is eligible to take the NCLEX RN board exam.
Another route is High School -> Community College for Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) ->NCLEX RN exam. Depending on where you live, this may be a good route for you, and it can many times be more cost effective. In California, where I live, many hospitals are requiring Nurses to have bachelors degrees but this is not the case everywhere in the US. This route takes 2-3 years. There are also many ADN-RN to BSN-RN "bridge" programs offered throughout the US and online. These typically take 1 year and sometimes you can receive financial reimbursement from the hospital you work for if you decide to pursue a BSN degree (my cousin did this route)
Yet another route is entering a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program after high school, then doing a LVN -> ADN-RN bridge program to obtain your Registered Nurse (RN) license. You can then pursue the ADN to BSN bridge program I mentioned above if you so choose. I work with many RNs who started as LVNs and did the various bridge programs to eventually complete their BSN-RN.
I hope this was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions :)
Oh Alison, I had missed the part where you already included what I just submitted. Sorry about that!
Melissa Sherman
Gina Gill
Nurse
22
Answers
Vacaville
Updated
Gina’s Answer
Hi there, the previous answer pretty much sums it up. I would highly reccomend a Bachelor's of Nursing (BSN) program, that's a 4 year program. After high school you can apply to a university/college that has a BSN program available (the previous answer outlines more details on this). Most hospital systems and academic university hospitals are requiring nurses to be at least bachelor's prepared. And if you want a leadership role there is also an expectation to have a Master's (MSN).
Hi, great question! I just wanted to add that I ended up going to a 2-year community college as I was awarded a full scholarship, including books and the uniform! That was just life-changing because I was able to get my first job as a nurse once I graduated from the program and thankfully the hospital I got my first nursing position had a nice tuition reimbursement program. Within a few years, I not only worked as an RN, but I received my BSN. Nursing is so versatile and flexible thank goodness!
Melissa Sherman
Poppy Denker
RN MSN CNOR
3
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Poppy’s Answer
I agree it is best to go for the BSN if you can afford it. You could find a job in a hospital (any job!) and they will usually pay for a portion of your college... There have been some loan forgiveness things but that is not a for sure deal. The other option is to get your ADN a two year degree and then work as a nurse as you continue going to school and do a bridge to BSN. A lot of the medical centers will not hire the two year degree but most smaller communities it is no problem (but you will not be able to advance into management). My suggestion is to get ICU experience and then go back to school to become a CRNA... They are banking and it is great job!!
Kimberly Forslund
RN
2
Answers
Naples, Maine
Updated
Kimberly’s Answer
Taking as many prerequisites before applying to a nursing program is helpful. Anatomy and physiology, microbiology, etc. or focusing on health science classes in high school if you have not yet graduated. Pursuing a BSN or an ADN (associates degree) after high school will only require high school courses (and grades) that the college or university requires for admission. They may also want you to have those certain prerequisite classes before you can officially be accepted into the actual nursing program. They will have a set plan for all classes in order to graduate with the degree. Both paths prepare for taking the NCLEX to become a registered nurse. I think it’s important to ask about the school’s graduation rate as well as their NCLEX pass rate. This will give you an idea of how many people completed that program and if they were effectively prepared to take the state boards to become an RN . The trend is moving toward having all RNs with bachelor’s degree.
Many larger hospitals will have tuition assistance programs to help pay for an RN to BSN program if you choose the associate degree path (which can be faster) so you could work as an RN while finishing that degree.
Many larger hospitals will have tuition assistance programs to help pay for an RN to BSN program if you choose the associate degree path (which can be faster) so you could work as an RN while finishing that degree.