Rn to bsn with bachelors in another field

Take the fast track to your bachelor’s in nursing in 14 months. Our accelerated 4-semester program builds on your previous bachelor’s coursework to equip you with everything you need to begin your career in nursing quickly and successfully.

• Second-Degree Curriculum
• Second-Degree Admissions
• Pathways Program
  A pre-nursing program for Rutgers-SAS Newark students
• Apply to the Second-Degree Program
• Attend an Online Info Session or Small Group Session

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Rutgers Second- Degree is a demanding program, but because of the close-knit classes and classmates, you get through it and experience all your firsts together. You get to do all these accomplishments together and see your nursing career grow.

Elyse Bennett, ’19

We learned a lot in the classroom, but it was during clinicals when we were able to put what we learned into practice. The clinical instructors were great and taught us firsthand what nurses do and the values of patient-centered care.

Joshua Ko, ’19

The Second-Degree BS in Nursing is offered on our Newark Campus.

Begin your journey to excellence. Become a Rutgers nurse today.

Questions? Ask Admissions

If you already have a bachelor’s degree and want to go to nursing school then you have some great options. Many people choose to switch careers throughout their lifetime, and nursing is a popular career choice due to the competitive pay, flexible schedule, and health benefits.

In this article, I am going to give you information on how to go back to school and earn a nursing degree if you already have a bachelor’s degree. Furthermore, I am going to discuss program options, how long it will take you, and the most common requirements.

I have made a video discussing this popular topic, and you can watch it below. Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Program Options for going to Nursing School

You have two options for earning your nursing degree if you already hold a bachelor’s degree and they include:

• Associates degree program (ADN): This will take you two years to complete (compared to 4 years with a traditional bachelor’s degree program BSN). However, please note that although an ADN and BSN nursing degree both allow you to work as a registered nurse there are some differences. See the differences between the ADN & BSN degree here.
• Second Degree/Accelerated Degree program: This is your best option! This program allows you to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) in 1 ½ – 2 years (compared to the traditional 4 years). These programs are being highly popular because of the demand of people who are pursuing nursing as a second career. The best way to find a second degree or accelerated degree program (the name is interchanged) is to look at local nursing schools in your area and see if they have this type of program. Here is a list of nursing school by states.

The second degree/accelerated degree programs take approximately 5 semesters to complete, and sometimes a semester is during the summer. However, it is important to note that it could take an extra semester if you haven’t met the nursing programs pre-requisite course requirements. For example, say your bachelor’s degree is in English and you didn’t take Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2 or Microbiology while earning your English degree. You would have to complete these classes before you enter into the nursing program.

Other Requirements:

• GPA 2.0-3.0
• C or better in the required pre-requisite courses
• Pass an entrance exam (typically HESI A2 or ATI TEAS exam)
• Submit health requirements (physical, vaccines, etc)
• Proof of your current bachelor’s degree
• Letter of Recommendation
• Clean criminal record

Conclusion

Second degree/accelerated programs are awesome options for people who want to be a nurse that already hold a bachelor’s degree. They are faster to earn which saves time and money.

The Second Degree Option is for you if you hope to begin a career in nursing and have already earned a bachelor’s degree in another field.  This intensive pre-licensure program is offered in a cohort format (all cohorts start in the fall semester) and requires sixteen months to complete. Students take 14–17 credits per semester for a total of 60 credits.

At the completion of their course work, graduates will be able to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and begin new careers in professional nursing.

• Because the Second Degree option is a full-time, academically rigorous program, we recommend that students forgo outside employment for the duration of the program. Our most successful students are able to focus exclusively on their studies for the entire sixteen months.
• Students who have completed all prerequisite course work with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and graduate from an accredited baccalaureate program by the summer immediately preceding the fall application cycle may be considered for an early offer. The early offer cycle runs August 1–September 30 with notification in late October.
• The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing requires state and federal criminal background checks of all Nursing students prior to their sophomore year. A criminal record may restrict clinical site availability, delay progress in the program, and/or delay the licensing exam. Students may not sit for the NCLEX if they have a felony conviction within the past ten years.
• Nursing students must be up-to-date with vaccinations in order to participate in the clinical experience.
• Regardless of campus location, clinical experiences occur at clinical facilities within a 50-mile radius of campus.
• All transportation and expenses related to clinical experiences are the responsibility of the student. Students must purchase Penn State Nursing scrubs and other uniform attire; carry professional liability insurance; complete an annual health examination, obtain criminal background and child abuse history clearances and submit to drug testing; maintain American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification; and adhere to any additional requirements of the clinical facilities.

Locations

The Second Degree program is offered at the following two campuses:

Both campuses share the same four-semester curriculum.  Students must remain at the campus to which they are accepted. Changes of campus are not permitted.

Admissions

Prerequisites

The required Penn State prerequisites for all applicants are:

• Anatomy & Physiology I (PSU BIOL 161 & 162 OR BIOL 129, 4 credits)
• Anatomy & Physiology II (PSU BIOL 163 & 164 OR BIOL 141 & 142, 4 credits)
• Lifespan Development or Developmental Psychology (HD FS 129 OR PSYCH 212, 3 credits)
• Introductory Chemistry with lab (CHEM 101 OR CHEM 110 & 111, 3-4 credits)
• Introductory Nutrition (NUTR 251, 3 credits)
• Elementary Statistics or Introduction to Biostatistics (STAT 200 OR 250, 3–4 credits)
• Microbiology with lab (MICRB 106 & 107, 3–4 credits)

College-level courses in the following areas, although not required for an offer to the major, will support the student’s success in the program:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Algebra

Prerequisite courses may be taken at any Penn State campus or other colleges and universities. If you are unsure whether a course from another college will transfer, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office or one of the advisers listed in the Contacts below.

Application Timeline

All application materials must be received by December 1. Because of the volume of the applicant pool, incomplete applications and late submissions will not be considered. Students who do not provide the required information by the deadline may reapply for a future cohort.

How to Apply

The steps to apply to the Second Degree program depend upon a prospective student’s educational background. See the headings below to determine which steps you should follow.

Previous Penn State Students and Fall Penn State Graduates

If you previously attended Penn State as an undergraduate student, you must:

1. Submit an Undergraduate Re-enrollment Form to the Registrar’s office at the campus to which are you applying. Re-enrollment forms will be accepted from August 1 – December 1.

2. Submit the Second Degree Nursing Program Application between August 1 and December 1.

3. Send official transcripts for any non-Penn State course work that was not previously submitted to Undergraduate Admissions.

4. If you are taking classes in the upcoming spring semester, email a copy of your spring schedule (or an unofficial transcript showing scheduled coursework) to the Nursing contact at your preferred location no later than the third week of December.

Penn State Spring Graduates

If you are a Penn State student who will graduate in the spring term before you wish to start the Second Degree program, you must:

1. Submit the Undergraduate Re-enrollment Form to the Registrar’s office at the campus to which are you applying. Re-enrollment forms will be accepted from August 1 – December 1.
2. Submit the Second Degree Nursing Program Application between August 1 and December 1.
3. Send official transcripts for any non-Penn State course work that was not previously submitted to Undergraduate Admissions.
4. If you are taking classes in the upcoming spring semester, email a copy of your spring schedule (or an unofficial transcript showing scheduled coursework) to the Nursing contact at your preferred location no later than the third week of December.
5. File your Intent to Graduate on LionPATH as soon as you may do so.

Never Attended Penn State (Transfer or Advanced Standing Applicants)

An advanced standing applicant or transfer applicant is one who never attended Penn State as an undergraduate degree-seeking student. Between August 1 and December 1, transfer (advanced standing) applicants must:

1. Complete the Undergraduate Admissions online application and pay the processing fee.
2. Submit the Second Degree Nursing Program Application.
3. Submit all materials (including official college and study abroad transcripts and AP or CLEP scores) directly to Undergraduate Admissions. Items must be received by December 1.
4. If you are taking classes in the upcoming spring semester, email a copy of your spring schedule (or an unofficial transcript showing scheduled coursework) to the Nursing contact at your preferred location no later than the third week of December.

Undergraduate Admissions will calculate your cumulative GPA based on all undergraduate course work from all postsecondary institutions.

International Applicants

International transcripts may be reviewed only by Undergraduate Admissions staff at University Park. This process takes a significant amount of time; applying by early September is encouraged. In some cases, applicants may need to apply for a future cohort. To have your international transcript reviewed, you must: