--- title: Are you a recent Nursing graduate? description: Don't let applying for your BSN while making the transition to RN be overwhelming. Ask questions and do your research to find the best nursing program. image: https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/hubfs/GCE/nursesgraduating.jpg --- [![Fitchburg State](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/hubfs/FitchburgStateUniversity/logo.png)](http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/) # [  ![gcebloglogo_temp](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/hs-fs/file-1019590826-png/GCE/gcebloglogo_temp.png?width=144&name=gcebloglogo_temp.png)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce) ## [Are you a recent Nursing graduate?](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/are-you-a-recent-nursing-graduate) Posted by [Andy Cunningham](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/author/andy-cunningham) on May 26, 2016 at 9:38 AM Find me on: [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/FitchburgStateUniversity) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/school/fitchburg-state-university/mycompany/) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/Fitchburg_State) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![nursesgraduating.jpg](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/GCE/nursesgraduating.jpg?width=500&name=nursesgraduating.jpg "nursesgraduating.jpg") To the class of 2016 Associate of Science in Nursing graduates, we’d like to send congratulations to you on your graduation! We know you’ve dealt with long hours of studying, clinical practice, balancing work, family and everything else that goes along with becoming an RN to achieve this goal.  Now as you finally take a breath and have a few moments to yourself, have you thought about what you are going to do next?  This is the best time to consider continuing your education because you don’t want to lose all of your motivation, but where do you start? We know you’re busy applying for nursing positions so we’ll keep it brief, here are the first 3 steps you should complete when considering continuing your Nursing education. 1.  **Research [RN to BS in Nursing](http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/undergraduate-evening-programs/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing-online/) programs.**  Ask yourself: - Are you looking to continue your studies on campus or online? - Would you like to go to a school close to home? - Will you be working and going to school at the same time and if so does your employer offer tuition reimbursement?   As you research RN to BSN programs, be sure to review course schedules to see if the class meetings and method of instruction meet your needs. Looking for a flexible program to meet your new work schedule? Look at Fitchburg State’s [RN to BS in Nursing](http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/undergraduate-evening-programs/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing-online/) (Online) program, which is designed to prepare professional nurses capable of meeting societal healthcare needs in a variety of settings. If you’re new to the world of online learning, check out Fitchburg State’s [online course demo](http://info.fitchburgstate.edu/demo-online-course) to get a feel for this learning style. 2.  **Submit your application and FAFSA.** Admission into RN to BS in Nursing programs can be competitive. Be sure to submit an application early to meet application deadlines. Some programs require a current RN license in good standing, confirm the application requirements with each school as you continue your research. Thinking about financial aid? Submit your [FAFSA ](https://fafsa.ed.gov/)when you start your RN to BS in Nursing application. Fitchburg State’s school code is 002184. 3.  **Update your resume or CV.** Include your date of graduation and GPA. Earned any additional honors and awards or joined a Nursing Honor Society? Add those new credentials to your resume to highlight your accomplishments. **From one RN to another**![Sarah_1.jpg](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/GCE/Sarah_1.jpg?width=115&name=Sarah_1.jpg "Sarah_1.jpg") The process of applying for your BSN while making the transition to RN can be overwhelming. [Sarah Blood](mailto:sblood1@fitchburgstate.edu), RN, MSN Coordinator of the RN to BS in Nursing program, and Fitchburg State BSN graduate provides some additional advice on making the transition from ASN graduate to professional RN: *"As you make the transition from student to new graduate, you will not know everything.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to take every learning opportunity you can get ahold of. Know who your** good** resources are. It is important to build a good relationship with your fellow co-workers, they are a wealth of knowledge and are your teammates. In a year from now look back on the relationships you have built and on your experiences and you will be amazed at how much more you learned and how every opportunity helps clarify information and teach you something you might not have known. Lastly, take the time to de-stress. It is very important to remember and take some “me” time and recharge your batteries."*![nursesgraduating2.jpg](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/GCE/nursesgraduating2.jpg?width=320&name=nursesgraduating2.jpg "nursesgraduating2.jpg") When you get frustrated or discouraged, don’t give up on yourself or the profession. Being a novice is difficult and a huge change, but with hard work and dedication your BSN degree is right at your fingertips, don’t let it slip away. Learn from experts in the field about a program that is ranked among the [2014 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by U.S. News & World Report](http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/fitchburg-state-university-165820). [![Register for an Information Session](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/376696/1846d699-3ac3-4a35-9de1-e861f94980d3.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/376696/1846d699-3ac3-4a35-9de1-e861f94980d3) Attend the [August 9th information session](http://fitchburgstate.edu/gce/infosession) to learn more about the [RN to BS in Nursing](http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/undergraduate-evening-programs/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing-online/) (Online) program or reach out today [gce@fitchburgstate.edu](mailto:gce@fitchburgstate.edu). *Thank you to Sarah Blood and Amber Deschenes for contributing to this post.* Topics: [Programs](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/programs) ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Admissions (10)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/admissions) - [Advanced Placement Summer Institutes (5)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/advanced-placement-summer-institutes) - [Alumni (1)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/alumni) - [Career Services (4)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/career-services) - [Center for Professional Studies (16)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/center-for-professional-studies) - [Commencement (3)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/commencement) - [Communications/Media (1)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/communications-media) - [Community (7)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/community) - [Criminal Justice (2)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/criminal-justice) - [cybersecurity (1)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/cybersecurity) - [Economics, History, and Political Science (5)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/economics-history-and-political-science) - [Education Program (4)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/education-program) - [Engineering Technology (2)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/engineering-technology) - [Events (15)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/events) - [Faculty (1)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/faculty) - [Fitchburg Art Museum (1)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/fitchburg-art-museum) - [Graduate Programs (10)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/graduate-programs) - [Health and Natural Sciences (3)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/health-and-natural-sciences) - [Humanities (2)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/humanities) - [Information Session (11)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/information-session) - [Information Technology (1)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/information-technology) - [International Admissions (1)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/international-admissions) - [International Education (3)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/international-education) - [Meet the Faculty (1)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/meet-the-faculty) - [Nursing Program (1)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/nursing-program) - [Our Faculty (14)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/our-faculty) - [Our Students (15)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/our-students) - [Preparing for College (2)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/preparing-for-college) - [Programs (97)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/programs) - [Programs and Majors (9)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/programs-and-majors) - [SGOCE (4)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/sgoce) - [Staff (1)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/staff) - [Student Experience (4)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/student-experience) - [Webinars (39)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/topic/webinars) [see all](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/are-you-a-recent-nursing-graduate#) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Connect with Us Copyright © 2024 Fitchburg State University. 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