Good Evening Everyone : )

Hello,
I wanted to pick all of your brains for advice on what to do. I would like to pursue a degree in nursing. I already have a bachelors in science, I graduated back in 97 so I am unsure how many courses I would even be able to transfer since they are so old. I wasn't sure if a LPN to an RN or just to get a RN degree. There are a few community colleges in my area that have programs. I am going to an orientation in early February. I am a little nervous about any online degrees, so I would rather go the traditional route if possible. I was interested in cardiac or onocology. (I used to be in medical device sales in the cath lab) maybe even hospice care (I owe my sanity to my fathers hospice nurse even though it has been over 12 yrs I will never forget what she did for my family). I live in the DC metro area so if anybody is familar with any schools in my area they would recommend I would appreciate it, or what would be the best route to go.
Thanks Again for your help & time.
Michelle

:60: Welcome to the site. Best to go to an RN program, BSN if possible. But apply to all the RN programs in your area to have the best chance at getting admitted. You would qualify for an accelerated BSN program or an entry level MSN program, so don't pass those programs by. Research all of the programs near you and apply to all of them. That is the best advice I can give you at this point.

Thanks for the reply. John Hopkins offers an accelerated BSN that is 13 mos. I will need to take a few courses some of my science courses are to old to transfer. It is quick but expensive it might be worth it in the long run though. The community college only offers a Nursing AS 39 credit option. I am also going to check out a few other colleges in the area.

Hello , may best recomendation at this time is to take the RN and if you could go direct to the BSN. But at this time is the best for you to do the RN and then take online the BSN, that way you will work and study at you own ritmy and is the best. Wish you the best luck.

As previously suggested, find an accelerated MSN (not BSN) program since you already have a four year degree. In what, btw?

MMR,
Hello, I would also recommend that if you are going to pursue a degree in nursing that you first go for your BSN. I work with a few different organizations and what I have found is that they are now wanting the nurse with the higher degrees, partly due to the fact that most are trying to obtain "Magnet Status". I too was a little weary when I tried Online nursing classes but they worked out very well because I have a lot of other things I have to be doing and taking time out of the day to go to class was not for me. Nevertheless, nursing is the most needed profession so if you are going to go for it congrats

It may also depend on the 'wait time' to get into a program. I'd done the LPN to RN route (think learn and earn!).

Of course, higher degrees are expensive, so that was my reasoning. I think it was worth it.