Path to BSN

[Anon]

Hi All,

Originally, years ago, I was going for a BA with a focus in Mathematics from TESU. Now my long-term goal is to become a Psych-NP, but I'm taking it step by step. Below is a table of the credits I have accumulated so far with the TESU equivalency.

Questions:

1. Do I need to fully complete a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite for an accelerated BSN program, or can I use the 111 credits I have?
   
2. Since I'd like to see if this is the right direction for me, I'd ideally like to start slow:
   • Which courses can I take now (without being admitted to a program) that I can still use for a BSN?
     
   • Would those courses be transferable to programs like that?
     
   • Where would be a good place that offers those courses with the necessary labs (online and self-paced preferred)?
     
   • What is a list of courses that most BSN programs require?
     

Thanks for taking the time to read!

+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+----------------+----------------------------------------------+---------+-------+
| TESU EQUIV. | COURSE TITLE                                  | SOURCE         | CATEGORY                                     | CREDITS | LEVEL |
+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+----------------+----------------------------------------------+---------+-------+
| MAT-121     | College Algebra with Trigonometry             | Aleks          | General Education Electives                  | 3       | L     |
| MAT-115     | Intermediate Algebra                          | Aleks          | General Education Electives                  | 3       | L     |
| STA-201     | Intro Stats for Behavioral Sciences           | Aleks          | Understanding the Physical & Natural Worlds  | 3       | L     |
| MAT-129     | Precalculus                                   | Aleks          | Quantitative Literacy                        | 3       | L     |
| LIT-291&292 | Analyzing and Interpreting Literature         | CLEP           | Information Literacy                         | 6       | L     |
| PSY-211     | Human Growth and Development                  | CLEP           | Humanities/Social Sciences                   | 3       | L     |
| COS-101     | Information Systems and Computer Applications | CLEP           | Understanding the Physical & Natural Worlds  | 3       | L     |
| ???-???     | Calculus 3 (Multivariate Calculus)            | Harvard        | AoS: Mathematics - Calculus 3                | 4       | U     |
| HRM-299     | Developing Effective Teams                    | Sophia         | Free Electives                               | 1       | L     |
| SOS-240     | Essentials of Managing Conflicts              | Sophia         | General Education                            | 1       | L     |
| POS-110     | American Government                           | StraighterLine | Civic Engagement                             | 3       | L     |
| PHI-285*    | Business Ethics                               | StraighterLine | Ethics                                       | 3       | L     |
| ANT-150     | Cultural Anthropology                         | StraighterLine | Diversity                                    | 3       | L     |
| ENC-101     | English Composition I                         | StraighterLine | Written Literacy                             | 3       | L     |
| ENC-102     | English Composition II                        | StraighterLine | Written Literacy                             | 3       | L     |
| COS-213     | Introduction to C++ Programming               | StraighterLine | Understanding the Physical & Natural Worlds  | 4       | L     |
| ECO-111     | Macroeconomics                                | StraighterLine | Humanities/Social Sciences                   | 3       | L     |
| MAN-212     | Organizational Behavior                       | StraighterLine | Humanities/Social Sciences                   | 3       | L     |
| HIS-113     | US History I                                  | StraighterLine | General Education Electives                  | 3       | L     |
| HIS-101     | Western Civilization                          | StraighterLine | Humanities/Social Sciences                   | 3       | L     |
| ENS-200     | Environmental Science                         | StraighterLine | General Education Electives                  | 3       | L     |
| MAT-231     | General Calculus I                            | StraighterLine | AoS: Mathematics - Calculus 1                | 4       | L     |
| COM-108     | Introduction to Communication                 | StraighterLine | Oral Communication                           | 3       | L     |
| SOC-101     | Introduction to Sociology                     | StraighterLine | General Education Electives / Free Electives | 3       | L     |
| MAT-232     | General Calculus 2                            | StraighterLine | AoS: Mathematics -  Calculus 2               | 4       | L     |
| MAT-260     | Geometry                                      | Study.Com      | AoS: Mathematics -  LL Electives             | 3       | L     |
| MAT-270     | Discrete Math                                 | Study.Com      | AoS: Mathematics -  LL Electives             | 3       | L     |
| CAP-295     | Cyber Security for Business Professionals     | TEEX           | Free Electives                               | 2       | L     |
| CYB-120     | Cyber Security for Everyone                   | TEEX           | Free Electives                               | 2       | L     |
| CIS-244     | Cyber Security for IT Professionals           | TEEX           | General Education                            | 2       | L     |
| TES-100     | Cornerstone                                   | TESU           | Cornerstone                                  | 1       | L     |
| PHI-384     | The Institute: Ethics                         | The Institutes | Free Electives                               | 2       | U     |
| SOC-199     | Child Development                             | Coopersmith    | Free Electives                               | 3       | L     |
| SES-170     | Microsoft Excel                               | Coopersmith    | Free Electives                               | 2       | L     |
| SES-174     | Microsoft Power Point                         | Coopersmith    | Free Electives                               | 2       | L     |
| SES-179     | Microsoft Word                                | Coopersmith    | Free Electives                               | 2       | L     |
| SOC-399     | Food History                                  | Coopersmith    | Free Electives                               | 3       | U     |
| MUS-391     | Music History                                 | Coopersmith    | Free Electives                               | 3       | U     |
| MAT-303     | Concepts in Math & Quantitative Analysis      | Coopersmith    | AoS: Mathematics - UL Electives              | 3       | U     |
+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+----------------+----------------------------------------------+---------+-------+
| TOTAL       |                                               |                |                                              | 111     |       |
+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+----------------+----------------------------------------------+---------+-------+

[ss20ts]

According to the BSN page on TESU's website you need 60 college credits OR a bachelor's degree for admission to the BSN program.

The 60-credit accelerated nursing program is designed for adults who have either:

Completed at least 60 college credits
Hold a bachelor’s degree in another area

https://www.tesu.edu/degrees-programs/ba...b7f74710-0

Here are the courses required from TESU:

https://www.tesu.edu/degrees-programs/co...ursing.php

Are you a resident of NJ? Have you looked into the cost of this program? You may find one cheaper in your state. Also make sure this program leads to licensure in your state. Looks like you should apply to the program and see what you are still needing to complete the program.

[Stonybeach]

Another comment is that most entry into nursing programs have prerequisites. Check with the individual school because they often vary. For example, some require a life-span psych course, nutrition, microbiology, chemistry with lab, etc., and do not include those courses in the accelerated entry-level BSN. My advice is to finish the bachelor's since you appear to be so close at this point. Another option is to complete the prerequisites for a master's in physician assistant studies after your bachelor's. Many PAs can specialize in psychiatry as well.

[ss20ts]

Another comment is that most entry into nursing programs have prerequisites. Check with the individual school because they often vary. For example, some require a life-span psych course, nutrition, microbiology, chemistry with lab, etc., and do not include those courses in the accelerated entry-level BSN. My advice is to finish the bachelor's since you appear to be so close at this point. Another option is to complete the prerequisites for a master's in physician assistant studies after your bachelor's.  Many PAs can specialize in psychiatry as well.

And many colleges and programs will not accept ACE credit for science courses. This is definitely something to investigate before spending time or money on ACE science courses.

[RJ77]

TESU's accelerated BSN program requires you to take some courses on campus, and you have to do clinicals at NJ hospitals/facilities that the school is partnered with. It also has an estimated cost of over $41k, so keep that in mind.

[Duneranger]

Most nursing schools other than WGU are not going to be friendly with ACE science credits. You NEED a completed BA/BS with the needed pre reqs. You cant take any BSN courses without being in a BSN program.  A nursing degree isn't really hackable....thank God. Most of your credits wont work at most BSN programs....

Of course, you want to be a psych NP (because the money is highest in this NP world), I get it lol....everyone rushes into it.

DO NOT BECOME A PSYCH NP WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT RN EXPERIENCE IN PSYCH....for the love of God.

You will have zero idea what you are doing....I have seen so many polypharmacy cluster Fs