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+--- Thread: What can I do with my TESC BA Liberal Studies? (/Thread-What-can-I-do-with-my-TESC-BA-Liberal-Studies)
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What can I do with my TESC BA Liberal Studies? - Snickerdoodle - 05-09-2013
Hi guys...so I'm graduating with my BA in Liberal Studies from TESC in September. As some of you may remember, I'm trying to get into nursing. Ideally I'd like to get into a 2nd degree BSN program, which hasn't quite worked out so far. I'm preparing for the next application cycle and definitely applying to more schools.
If I go to a regular undergrad BSN program (as a transfer, since I've completed most of my nursing-specific prereqs), I feel as if I've "wasted" my degree. I've considered entry-level MSN programs, but I need to find some that don't require more chemistry that what I've already taken and will recognize my CLEP credits for certain psychology pre-reqs. I don't mind getting my ADN first, but it's difficult finding a CC that doesn't use lottery for admission and also takes CLEP.
So, in the event that all else fails, what kind of career or higher education opportunities are out there for me with the degrees I've earned at TESC?? I have an EKG tech certificate and various types of volunteer experience, and that's about it. Thank you....
What can I do with my TESC BA Liberal Studies? - Gaz - 05-09-2013
I was in the exact same boat as you. Jump on the first program that accepts you regardless of the degree level. All options are going to be 18-24 months and the end result is the same, a new nurse is born. I was accepted to an ADN program, so I took it. In the hospital setting there is very little difference between a BSN or ADN starting out. Most of the people in my class have a BA/BS or Master's degree already.
Here is how your TESC degree works for you. BALS + ADN = eligibility for many MSN programs. Excelsior being one of them. It is a common misconception that you need a BSN to be accepted to an MSN program.
WGU has an RN-BSN program that is self paced. If you look deep into their website you will discover that an RN with a BA/BS degree in another field has about 7 self-paced courses to complete. According to posts on allnurses.com, nurses with non-nursing Bachelor's have completed the RN-BSN in 6 months.
What can I do with my TESC BA Liberal Studies? - publius2k4 - 05-09-2013
Snickerdoodle Wrote:Hi guys...so I'm graduating with my BA in Liberal Studies from TESC in September. As some of you may remember, I'm trying to get into nursing. Ideally I'd like to get into a 2nd degree BSN program, which hasn't quite worked out so far. I'm preparing for the next application cycle and definitely applying to more schools.
If I go to a regular undergrad BSN program (as a transfer, since I've completed most of my nursing-specific prereqs), I feel as if I've "wasted" my degree. I've considered entry-level MSN programs, but I need to find some that don't require more chemistry that what I've already taken and will recognize my CLEP credits for certain psychology pre-reqs. I don't mind getting my ADN first, but it's difficult finding a CC that doesn't use lottery for admission and also takes CLEP.
So, in the event that all else fails, what kind of career or higher education opportunities are out there for me with the degrees I've earned at TESC?? I have an EKG tech certificate and various types of volunteer experience, and that's about it. Thank you....
Many of the nursing pre-reqs are also pre-reqs for other medical programs. You could, for example, apply to some Physician's Assistant programs. Most PA programs are Master's degree level, but there are also a few bachelor's degree level....and even 2 Associates Degree level programs.
What can I do with my TESC BA Liberal Studies? - Gaz - 05-09-2013
publius2k4 Wrote:Many of the nursing pre-reqs are also pre-reqs for other medical programs. You could, for example, apply to some Physician's Assistant programs. Most PA programs are Master's degree level, but there are also a few bachelor's degree level....and even 2 Associates Degree level programs.
Initially, my plan was to apply to PA school. I was a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy and that seemed like the logical next step. And like you said, "many of the nursing pre-reqs are also pre-reqs for other medical programs." The only pre-reqs I had left to complete for PA school were Chem 1, Chem 2 and Organic Chem. So, two more semesters. Almost a year! After much research, talking to nurses and PAs, I chose nursing for many reasons. One giant reason is cost, nursing education is much cheaper. Nursing has many paths you can take; in nursing it is possible to exceed what a PA does in practice and salary. If you research the politics behind nurse practitioner vs PA it is very interesting. How billing works, Board of Medicine vs Board of Nursing. One of the top salaries in medicine (not important to me, but still) are for nurse anesthetists, many make more than a family practice MD.
Going back to cost, one of the PA schools I was looking at cost $65,000 and that does not include living expenses. You cannot work while in school. When I applied to nursing school, I applied for a scholarship through a large healthcare system. I had to interview for the scholarship and I was selected. They are paying all of my expenses for school and paying me a small salary. That made it an easy decision.
What can I do with my TESC BA Liberal Studies? - Snickerdoodle - 05-09-2013
Thanks for your thoughts guys. In nursing, yes, my ultimate goal is to become a nurse anesthetist if possible. I've considered PA school, and have the pre-reqs for at least one program, but I don't have the required 1000+ hrs of healthcare experience. I'm just going to cast my net as far and wide as possible right now to get into nursing school.
It's a challenge to find any program that's CLEP-friendly.One of the things I worry about is getting a job as a nursing new grad...it's tough right now, and even more so for ADN-prepared nurses. In my area none of the major hospitals are hiring ADNs, and the largest hospital has completely frozen new grad hiring, BSN or not. To get into CRNA school I would need ICU experience.
What can I do with my TESC BA Liberal Studies? - Stitching Belle - 05-09-2013
This has nothing to do with your career goal, but I'm running a congressional campaign. That's what I'm doing with my BALS from TESC!
What can I do with my TESC BA Liberal Studies? - sanantone - 05-10-2013
That's why I try to steer people away from completing a liberal studies, general studies, or liberal arts degree. You never know what kind of roadblocks you're going to run into and having a marketable bachelor's degree can help you stay above water in the meantime.
WGU has the second degree BSN for those with non-nursing bachelor's degrees and clinical sites in Southern California. If I recall correctly, you live in California. If you're willing to move, University of Texas - Austin has an alternate entry MSN and PhD in Nursing. They are very flexible about where you can complete the prerequisites. They even recommend Straighterline. I think the MSN program is about 3 years. You earn your nursing credentials within the first year of the program.
What can I do with my TESC BA Liberal Studies? - UptonSinclair - 05-10-2013
Snickerdoodle Wrote:I don't have the required 1000+ hrs of healthcare experience.
What did you do as a hospital corpsman? One thing I learned from my transition from military to civilain life is not to write off my military experience. I worked crap jobs for years before I fought for my electrical license based mostly on my military experience and testing skills. I now work as a union maintenance electrician 40 miles away from were I was slinging hash for $14 an hour.
If you have hospital experience in the Navy, doesn't that count toward your 1000+ hours? Also, don't forget the VA when you are looking for work. They have listings up on USAjobs all of the time.
One more thought for you from someone who is clueless about the medical industry. You could always think about healthcare administration. CSU-Global has a healthcare administration masters.
What can I do with my TESC BA Liberal Studies? - cookderosa - 05-10-2013
The liberal arts degree is a perfect fit for admission into an ADN. Somewhere in the archives I've even recommended this. I think you and I have talked about this before, you'll remember I completed the premed science set with the intent of nursing or something in the medical field (I ended up in nutrition, which was perfect) and the best program is the first one you can get into. Seriously! Cast a wider net. There are accelerated programs, but why pay SO MUCH MONEY when you'll end up with the same thing, an RN + Bachlelor's degree! Yours is in liberal arts, so what? It count's towards admission into an MSN.
What chemistry are you missing, organic? Who are you taking your labs through now? If CNA is your goal, you're going to need organic, and more importantly, your going to need to be good at it! :ack:
What can I do with my TESC BA Liberal Studies? - Snickerdoodle - 05-10-2013
UptonSinclair Wrote:What did you do as a hospital corpsman?
If you have hospital experience in the Navy, doesn't that count toward your 1000+ hours?
Gaz is the hospital corpsman...oh I'd swap places in a heartbeat!
UptonSinclair Wrote:You could always think about healthcare administration. CSU-Global has a healthcare administration masters.
I have considered it...I'll keep it in mind.