Yes, you can do a BSN without doing an ADN or ASN for your RN degree. What classes you need to take to get into a BSN program depends on the school. Take a look online at the colleges/universities you are intersted in going to and see what prerequisits are needed.

Are you strong in your sciences?, or do you find science your favorite subject, If the answer is yes, you will be a good canidate for nursing. You will have to take alot of sciences, such as Organic Chemistry, Microbiology, and Anatomy and Physiology. I have taken all these classes, except Organic Chemistry. I took general Chemistry. You have to have a least a B average to be accepted into any in BSN programs, except if you go to a private College. Let me tell you it is so hard keeping a B average in college, especially when you are my age. 'Ha ha"

To jas3030 and all of the other prospective nurses who are considering back to school - what is most important to you in choosing a program? If money was not a factor, what would be the make or break factor in choosing a program?

What about others - Are your primary concerns money related when choosing a school or are there other considerations?

Katherine, what are the formats of the programs that you are talking about. Ideally I would like to do distance/online learning too because it would be better for me financially. What do you think are the major pitfalls regarding it - since you seemed turned off by it in one of your earlier posts?

Has anyone out there took this stupid test called the HESI

forgot- besides an RN to BSM accelerated programs, some schools around here have accelerated RN to MSN programs for those individuals who already have a degree in another field. Definitely something to look into.

What is the best way to get started in nursing school. I am ready to go now but have no way of knowing what the best way to start is. Can any one please help me.

I have a bachelor's degree in Russian language and international/comparative political science... I was looking into the MSN programs for non BSN majors, and it ended up just being waaaaaaaaaaay out of my price range (40,000$+/yr.!). Furthermore, as a liberal arts major, I didn't have any of the prerequisites necessary and it would have taken me an extra year or two simply to get into the program. I opted to get an ADN @ one of the City Colleges of Chicago (2 yr. school), and hopefully can work towards an MSN in womens' health sometime in the future... I figure I'm young and still have a whole lifetime to learn!

Also, I would say that it is not *completely* necessary for math and science to be your "favorite" subjects to be a good nurse. I think the most important part of being a nurse is empathy for other people and concern for their ailments and health concerns. Hard sciences are your launching pad for being technically proficient when you start your clinicals and then go on to hospitals, womens' health centers, or wherever you would like to eventually work. I've met so many nurses (and especially doctors!) who are good at the academic aspect of the job but seem to lack basic human compassion.

But for now, I would say just to start on your prerequisites... algebra, chemistry, and biology are probably the most important at this point. You can go from there, and I'm sure the nursing dept. and the registrar @ whatever college you choose to go to will be really helpful. Good luck!!!

Hello. I found the link for those who come across this discussion and are still deciding to go for the ADN or BSN. The article notes factors to consider when choosing one over the other. The pay difference is also stated here. It seems like someone else just posted this article not too long ago (JonZ?).

http://nursinglink.monster.com/education/articles/534-adn-vs-bsn-which-should-you-choose