Stay where I am or transfer??

U.S.A. Florida

Published

I decided to go back to school 2 years ago to pursue my degree in nursing. I have to work full-time so I was able to find a part-time program at Palm Beach State College. I began taking classes in the Fall. The application opens once a year for the part-time program, in October. Since PBSC goes by a point system when it comes to nursing program, I would not have made the cut at that time and probably not by the following October.

I decided to speak to an advisor and was told that I should probably take the classes I needed to compete my AA while I was waiting for the application to open again. As I progressed, I got more comfortable working full-time and taking on a full-time school schedule.

Fast forward to now...I will be done with my AA this summer. I completed all my pre-req's, taken the HESI, and did volunteer work. I went back to the advisor and was basically told me that my plan, which I stuck to, is dumb. When I really thought about it, she was right. She asked me why I wasn't transferring to a full-time BSN program instead of taking 2 years and 8 months, which is how long the part-time program would take, to get my ADN. I explained to her that my major concern was working. Unfortunately, I went back to school after purchasing a home. I need to continue to work in order to make my monthly bills.

So, I left her office, head spinning, questioning every option. I called FAU and was told they were not accepting applications until the Fall of 2015. That automatically made me just want to go back to my original plan because I don't want to wait another whole year to even apply.

Do I start the program at PBSC and then apply to FAU next Fall? I question that option because I wouldn't want to take someone else's spot in the program at PBSC. Also, how would that look if I left a program after a year to restart a new program?

I will be eventually getting my BSN anyway I guess I am just confused about how I should go about getting it. It sounds much better to me that after 24 months I will have my BSN instead of my ADN working towards my BSN.

I know that no one can make my decision for me, but has anyone been in this situation or one similar?

All responses are appreciated!

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I guess the question is, will FAU honor the nursing credits from PBSC? If they do, then I would apply to PBSC and transfer over when a spot becomes available. I am pretty much in the same boat that you are in for the exception that I will receive my AA this week, so I am looking forward to hear what others think.

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I guess the question is, will FAU honor the nursing credits from PBSC? If they do, then I would apply to PBSC and transfer over when a spot becomes available. I am pretty much in the same boat that you are in for the exception that I will receive my AA this week, so I am looking forward to hear what others think.

That's a great question, but unfortunately, I don't think that nursing classes will transfer. I know PBSC made it very clear that they do not accept transfer nursing class credits. Congrats on finishing your AA!

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I pretty much did that same thing that you did, and my school "Pasco Hernando State College" here in Tampa told me that if I did their nursing program it would roughly take me a total of 10 semesters to get my BSN through them, as a result of having to do the 5 semesters for the nursing and once I was done with that I would have a apply to their Rn to BSN which is another 5 semesters. So I am applying to all 3 universities over here that offer the BSN. I do not know exactly where you are but did you consider applying to Nova Southeastern University?

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I would make a copy of the list of courses provided the first year at PBSC (the classes you will be taking) so that you can give specific examples when you talk to FAU. At the same time, you can ask them how they feel about students transferring from an ADN program to start a BSN program. If they accept some courses, go ahead and try to apply to the BSN program. If they don't, figure out if you're okay with graduating 1 year later and have a backup plan.

Personally, getting your BSN is a lot better than your ADN. You mentioned you bought a house; you could try to work at another job so that you don't have to work as much during your BSN program or do something else to better your future. As long as you use your year wisely, it's not a waste.

Many of my clients wished they had gotten their BSN instead of ADN. They're okay with their decision now because they're working but it's still something they regret. Plus, they still have to get their BSN if they want to work at a Magnet hospital.

And it's okay to feel bad about taking someone's spot. That's a good thing, it means you have a conscience. For now, just worry about yourself.

Thank you so much for your response! It makes a lot of sense. I will definitely make a list of classes. I have sent an email to the nursing advisor at FAU regarding their feeling on leaving a program to attend their program so, hopefully I will get a response about that. I hear you about the BSN as that is definitely in my future either way, just a matter of timing. I would like to continue my education to become a nurse practitioner.. Thanks again!

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I pretty much did that same thing that you did, and my school "Pasco Hernando State College" here in Tampa told me that if I did their nursing program it would roughly take me a total of 10 semesters to get my BSN through them, as a result of having to do the 5 semesters for the nursing and once I was done with that I would have a apply to their Rn to BSN which is another 5 semesters. So I am applying to all 3 universities over here that offer the BSN. I do not know exactly where you are but did you consider applying to Nova Southeastern University?

That was my original plan. I would get my ADN at Palm Beach State College, take the NCLEX, then do the RN-BSN program at FAU. I did check out Nova. I was a little concerned with the cost.

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Many times private schools offer multiple scholarships to students with good GPA's to help offset the cost of attending.

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It seems as if your choices are restricted by the fact that your own your home and the attendant issues surrounding homeownership. Have you, considered:

1. Renting the home for the duration you are in Nursing School full time? Will the rent cover Mortgage payment, Taxes (will be higher than normal due to loss of Homestead) and Insurance?

2. Selling the home outright (if it has positive "equity")? You can always buy another home after getting your BSN, plus you get the added flexibility to apply for RN positions at various locations after graduation.

3. Subletting part of the home while attending a BSN program Full time?

4. Maintain ownership and pay the Home Ownership expenses using student loans/grants/scholarships, etc.

If the home ownership issue became a non-issue, would FAU be your number one choice or targeted BSN program? What are your chances of getting into FAU, given the competitiveness of getting into that program? Are there other BSN programs that you could apply to which might mean relocating to other parts of the state (FIU, FSU, UCF, UF, USF, UNF, FGSU, etc.)?

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I have done a lot of research on this subject. Most BSN programs can be done online because they don't have clinicals. Some schools have you do projects for your BSN at hospitals. I plan on getting my Rn license first so I can work and most places will pay for your BSN which you can do in less than 2 years. I have a friend who graduated from FAU he actually got his Bachelors in Finance and then got into the accelerated program which took him about 18 months and he said it was hell. Most of all your skills will come from the first two years and after that its mostly theory. Then you look at the cost. I know someone who was a charge nurse and he was at JFK and he said they aren't concerned as much with where you go but that you pass the NCLEX. He has 3 degrees but his nursing degree is an Associates and has had multiple offers when he moved down. I had an advisor tell me that I should have a plan B. I told her I have a 4.0 for the last 3 semesters and passed the HESI my first time. She was negative and I decided not to deal with her. If you want it bad enough it can be possible. I didn't let her comments deter me, if anything it has made me want it more. i will have 27 points for fall but I am retaking the HESI to get the additional 2 points which gives me 29 points and i don't see that holding me back. A girl at work talked to Miss Bowles at PBSC and said she was really helpful. Don't let an advisor get you down.

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I have done a lot of research on this subject. Most BSN programs can be done online because they don't have clinicals. Some schools have you do projects for your BSN at hospitals. I plan on getting my Rn license first so I can work and most places will pay for your BSN which you can do in less than 2 years. I have a friend who graduated from FAU he actually got his Bachelors in Finance and then got into the accelerated program which took him about 18 months and he said it was hell. Most of all your skills will come from the first two years and after that its mostly theory. Then you look at the cost. I know someone who was a charge nurse and he was at JFK and he said they aren't concerned as much with where you go but that you pass the NCLEX. He has 3 degrees but his nursing degree is an Associates and has had multiple offers when he moved down. I had an advisor tell me that I should have a plan B. I told her I have a 4.0 for the last 3 semesters and passed the HESI my first time. She was negative and I decided not to deal with her. If you want it bad enough it can be possible. I didn't let her comments deter me, if anything it has made me want it more. i will have 27 points for fall but I am retaking the HESI to get the additional 2 points which gives me 29 points and i don't see that holding me back. A girl at work talked to Miss Bowles at PBSC and said she was really helpful. Don't let an advisor get you down.

@cgambino70 thank you so much for your response! I have been driving myself crazy about this! I was always looking towards my bachelor degree, it was just a matter of timing. Since I am an "older" student, I was looking at it like time wasn't on my side. That feeling eventually subsided and I just kept going. Then when I spoke to the advisor, that question of timing rushed back in and made me question everything I was doing. Sure I would love to do a full-time BSN program and sure I could probably rent out my home while I do that, but am I just going to be spinning? When I spoke to the advisor at FAU, I was told that the program is very competitive as they have over 600 applicants. I asked how many seats were available and was given a vague answer of "limited seating." I understand that most of the programs are competitive and there will probably not an an "easy in" anywhere. But, this would mean possibly putting off the nursing program for another year with the possibility of not even getting in after waiting. I think I am obsessing over this and I should just stick to my original plan!

Thanks for all the great info you provided. I really appreciate it!

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@Tobs31 I am in the same situation. I worked a corporate job for twelve years and I'm 43 and decided to change careers. Luckily my wife is supportive and understands this decision to go back to school will help us in the near future. I started out thinking about going to Kaiser because of the ability to start right away. After doing research with friends in hospitals they say that people do not want Kaiser graduates. Actually more people will hire PBSC graduates over because the program here is more hands on. After the first two years of school and getting your license you can be an Rn and decide which path to go on. At FAU you will study theory for BSN mostly. Timing is an issue for me as well. I wanted to go to medical school but don't want to be a resident at 50 and struggling to pay back 150,000+. The adviser at PBSC seems to want to try and scare people so they only get people who are truly dedicated to the program. I think it is a poor way to find motivated people but it made me want to get in even more. I am hoping my points will be enough in October but if not, I will take all the classes I need to get my BSN and try again for nursing. Choice is yours and not hers. I know they tell you not to work full time but I know many people who did and succeeded. Good luck on your quest.

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@Cambino70 I have also been at my job for 12 years! I found a job at a law firm when I first moved down to Florida and have been here ever since. I think that it is awesome that you have a supportive wife that is all for you going back to school. Unfortunately, I recently went from a 2 income household to income, so that too weighs on my mind. I have also heard exactly what you were saying about FAU being more theory and that PBSC teaches skills. I too would like to continue my education after my BSN and I find myself saying, "Why didn't you start earlier?" Then I realize how grateful I am that I didn't start sooner as I probably wouldn't be doing as well as I am. I am really working on getting all the "what-if's" out of my head and focus on what I am doing right now.

When it comes to points, I have 28, which, according to the points from last year, is between median and highest. With you at 29 points, your are at the highest! I was thinking of taking the HESI again, but I figured, let me put in my application for the fall with the points that I have and see how it goes. If I do not make the cut, I will retake the HESI and try again in the spring.

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