I've been putting some thought into go back to school for nursing. I'd like to get into clinical studies, but to have a full on nursing degree would be helpful if I couldn't go directly into research. I'd like to think of it as some job security in case I end up living in a place where biomedical companies are few and far between.

I'm not all that sure where to begin. Or what types of programs are out there? I have a BS in biomedical engineering, so I've got a number of biology/chemistry/physiology classes under my belt. I'd like to have something that won't take more than a couple of years. Does anyone have any ideas about great nursing schools? Or is it a career where I could go to a small community-type college for with a nursing program and come out just as well prepared?

I am getting my BS in nursing at USC. I think the best route (personally) is to get your BS so that you can do other things in the field besides being strictly an RN. An associates degree RN and a BS-RN make the same amount of money coming out...the only real difference is that with a BS in it you can move onto other things such as being a CRNA or in your case possibly getting your phd for research or something like that. If you have any questions about the curriculum I can tell you all about mine :D

So there aren't programs where you can get to being an RN but without going through an entire BS curriculum again? I'd have to end up with two BSs?

You could get your associate's in nursing...like a tech school. The only problem with those, however, is the waiting lists are usually ridiculously long because people would rather do that than just get their BS. With you already having a BS in a somewhat medical related field you can probably skip ahead a good bit!

With a BS in biomedical engineering, you could come over to the UK and do an intensive course to become a Dr within 3yrs...

With a BS in biomedical engineering, you could come over to the UK and do an intensive course to become a Dr within 3yrs...

Really! That is very interesting. I was a bio major my freshman year and got several pre-med courses out of the way before I decided to do nursing as a precursor to becoming a crna. I still haven't completely ruled out returning to my pre-med track because I'm not that far off of it considering that a lot of nursing courses are in the pre-med track as well. Is this program what you are in? It sounds great! :D

You could get your associate's in nursing...like a tech school. The only problem with those, however, is the waiting lists are usually ridiculously long because people would rather do that than just get their BS. With you already having a BS in a somewhat medical related field you can probably skip ahead a good bit!

That's what I'm doing. I'm getting AA in Nursting. It's a 2 year program through a community college. Basically one year of book work, then one year of hands-on training.. going to the hospital for clinicals etc. It's a good program. The one I'm at, you have to maintain good grades and have to be accepted into the actual nursing part of it.

Since you have alot of the biology classes already under your belt, it really shouldn't take you that long. I'd look into it. You can also look into the programs through the hospital. Around here, they will pay for your school if you sign a contract with them.

i don't know much about nursing programs, but good luck Shannon.

That's what I'm doing. I'm getting AA in Nursting. It's a 2 year program through a community college. Basically one year of book work, then one year of hands-on training.. going to the hospital for clinicals etc. It's a good program. The one I'm at, you have to maintain good grades and have to be accepted into the actual nursing part of it.

Since you have alot of the biology classes already under your belt, it really shouldn't take you that long. I'd look into it. You can also look into the programs through the hospital. Around here, they will pay for your school if you sign a contract with them.

That's what I'm doing also. I'm still working on a lot of my pre-reqs though right now, so I haven't even gotten into the nursing program. The lists are usually semi-long depending on where you go, but MOST places can get you in within a year or so. I'm personally doing the associates RN route because I'd like to get my feet wet in the nursing field, then go back for my BS which you can do FULLY online once you have your RN degree. So, that will work better for my schedule with working and having kids.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I can't wait to get into my core nursing classes :yahoo

Since you have your Bachelors already, there are several options. Out here, Sonoma State offers a Bachelors to Masters in Nursing degree, to where if you have a Bachelors degree in anything but Nursing, you can come out with a Masters in Nursing in 18 months. Or there is the Bachelors to Bachelors in Nursing route, or the slower route, going through the community college and getting an ADN.

I'm currently going the community college route since it works around my work schedule, but I've been thinking about going back and finishing the year I had left to get a Bachelors in Business Management and then going for the two options I mentioned, but I'm not sure if I want to rack up $40,000+ in college loans on top of what I already have, so we'll see.

Shannon,
Keep looking! I am an RN with a BSN and have been for the past 13 years. I am currently taking classes for my MSN at Rush University, Chicago. I know that they have an accelerated program for students who already have a BS and most of the classes you already have will not have to be repeated! I would think that there are other programs out there also where you would not have to repeat classes! Let me know if I can be of any help to you!
Julie