[luvmy3kids]

Originally Posted by abbylee1211

I'm just not sure what your point is here. So you've been to a good high school. You've been to college. You've been to grad school. In ALL of your posts, I don't see ONE good reason why you want to be a NURSE. It only seems like you look down on Nursing, and anyone associated with it, including CURRENT nurses, Community College programs for nursing, even the RN licensure process... You seem like you're on SUCH a high horse hear, like you are SO much smarter than anyone else in the field.

1) grow up
2) stop thinking you are inherently smarter than everyone else
3) stop assuming you are above all the traditional education, training and procedures associated with starting a program
4) think for just ONE minute about the fact that you are insulting the very people you are asking help from

To answer your questions:

1: I was a Captain in the US Army

2: I bartended through school & worked graveyard FedEx shifts

3: It is not absurd for you to have to pay for a 2nd degree - you are benefiting by gaining more education and diversifying your resume - no different from a 1st degree

4: I believe most schools will bristle at the idea of students "challenging" nursing exams simply because they feel they're "above" them

5: your course work may be "non-transferrable" if for example you took Anatomy I but haven't taken Physiology, and they offer it as Anatomy & Physiology I & II, or if your statistics class didn't include a lab, or if your microbiology wasn't medical micro. There are multitude of reasons - don't assume community college = podunk

6: if you took basic chemistry & biology at 15, do you really believe you remember enough of it (in enough detail) to say you don't need to take it... and have you thought about the idea that there may be advancements in the meantime?

7: how is a nursing degree not a medical degree? of course a nurse is not a doctor... but it's sounding like you wouldn't have any respect for health care workers except doctors -- or are you smarter than all of them too?

8: you ARE being belittling & disrespectful

9: there are NS waitlists because there are SO many qualified students out there who have a HELL of a better attitude & more defined desire to be a nurse than you!

You know.... when I first read this post... I thought the OP was questioning why he/she would have to actually "attend" a school to receive a nursing degree even though he/she was already educated/qualifiede to do so without the degree.... But I thought I'd be the friendly helper and post some info and my personal experiences....

Now I think he/she was just being rude and disrespectful and I don't understand the point of this thread to begin with.

I (personally) feel you might be better suited for doing something other than nursing. Nursing takes compassion for people regardless of their education and compassion for co-workers as well. If you can't see past someone for what type of degree they have maybe you are looking down the wrong path.

Nursing may not be a "medical degree" but it is nothing to roll your eyes at. The nursing shortage is due to the fact that there are not enough qualified instructors out there to teach the amount of material and skills required to become a nurse. (add to the fact that our population is booming and more and more people are out there that require care) Therefore the schools are flooded with highly qualified (sometimes over qualified) applicants who are stuck waiting for 2+ years until there is an opening for them.

I hope whatever you decide, if you do go into nursing, you will have a more compassionate outlook on things... Good luck to you.

[MLOS]

Originally Posted by buddhak0n

Because frankly to me, someone asking somebody who already possesses a degree in whatever field it might be to pay once again for a college education seems a bit absurd to me...

What are the situations and under what circumstances can certain requirements towards obtaining R.N. licensure be "challenged" by examination?

By this logic, anyone with a degree in any area of study should be able to just "wing it" and get some practical on-the-job experience in any other field, right? With just some extra self-study and supervised experience, that architecht will do just fine as an attorney, the accountant will function as a chemical engineer, and the former MD will be brilliant teaching reading to 1st graders, right?

Why on earth would someone at a Community college try to tell someone that basic chem or other courses would be Nontransferrable? ( That part gave me a chuckle.. I'd still do better on any generalized Advanced Chem course than a large majority of people <g>)...

After reading your posts, I suspect that this is the root of your indignation. Reality check: this is not an unusual situation. School A does not accept XYZ course from School B for whatever reason. It is their right as a degree-granting institution to decide what their requirements will be. Courses taken over 10 years ago are frequently not considered for transfer credit, particularly in the sciences where there may have been considerable advancement in the field of study in that length of time. You can either continue to be indignant and allow it to totally derail your planned career change, or you can figure out the best way to deal with it.

Frankly what I've done is just get myself in the door and hope to be working at an ACTUAL health care facility as a lab tech but the idea of having to go back to being a full time student seems absolutely odd to me and many of the hurdles thrown up seem a bit absurd....

Then perhaps you need to think about changes in your career path which would not require you to return to school.

Sorry but I'm a bit frustrated but only from an intellectual perspective... I would think that anything you would truly LEARN would come in actual clinical practice but perhaps I discount the value of certain "class" work.

Don't know what your first degree was in, but if you feel you learned nothing in the classroom in 4 or more years then I feel badly for you. What a waste.

Originally Posted by buddhak0n

But in the same breath, I would venture to guess that with a bit of study and the opportunity to take a few exams, I'd be able to test out of quite a bit of what a local community college considers to be CORE requirements for any associates nursing program...

If a school you're considering applying to will not outright grant credit for previous courses that you have completed in your first degree, perhaps you can take CLEP exams for some of the core, non-nursing courses.

Don't get me wrong... I think that the educational portion of any school would be significantly challenging, but at the same time... some of the material regardless of what you may be led to believe is NOT exactly advanced theoretical physics <g>.

There's that old phrase ... "don't quit your day job." 'Nuff said.

[cenote]

I have a bachelor's and went about 1/4 through an MBA before deciding that I had the career that I wanted at the time . . . Real Estate. Many years later, I determined that I wanted to get my RN.

I compared the ADN with the BSN and went the ADN route for several reasons. First of all, after doing some research I discovered that the BSN would take one year longer. Second, the courses that would add this one year were, for the most part, NOT applicable to nursing and included: Art Appreciation, Computer 101, and some other non discript courses that seemed purposely added to make the student spend more time and money getting that degree). The only two courses really applicable to nursing were Chemistry and Statistics. I had taken these courses many years previous but they were "too old". Further, I found that with my bachelor's and an ADN, I was still eligible, in most arenas, for supervisory and management roles AND for entrance into most programs for a Master's Degree in Nursing.

To finance my chosen field, (it took me 2 years and 9 months to obtain my ADN even with a bachelor's), I took out the max allowed in student loans from SallieMae, worked as a nanny for a friend and as a CNA/Nurse Tech during school, all summers and holidays.

The hospitals in this area do sponsor nurses who take jobs as CNAs and Nurse Techs in their facility, giving them stipends per month over and above salary to help pay for their degrees/living expenses. In exchange, the nursing student commits to a certain term of service, post graduation.

AND YES, ONE DOES HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT SECOND DEGREE. Why would they not? This statement confuses me.

I graduated with honors but must say that the courses were the most challenging I have encountered in all my educational endeavors.

But good luck. It's a tough profession and one that is much of the time "thankless".

And for your info: I am in my 50s and have been a nurse for nearly 2 years. Three months following graduation, I lost nearly everything in Katrina. I am now forging ahead with my career in travel nursing.

[luvmy3kids]

[quote=cenote;2134750]I have a bachelor's and went about 1/4 through an MBA before deciding that I had the career that I wanted at the time . . . Real Estate. Many years later, I determined that I wanted to get my RN.

I compared the ADN with the BSN and went the ADN route for several reasons. First of all, after doing some research I discovered that the BSN would take one year longer. Second, the courses that would add this one year were, for the most part, NOT applicable to nursing and included: Art Appreciation, Computer 101, and some other non discript courses that seemed purposely added to make the student spend more time and money getting that degree). The only two courses really applicable to nursing were Chemistry and Statistics. I had taken these courses many years previous but they were "too old". Further, I found that with my bachelor's and an ADN, I was still eligible, in most arenas, for supervisory and management roles AND for entrance into most programs for a Master's Degree in Nursing.

I am glad you posted this. I've been on the fence about getting my ADN or just getting the BSN since I already have a BS. The ADN is so much more attainable for me.... the cost is less, the time is less, the school is closer and I just feel more comfortable going to a CC at the age of 34 than to the U here in MN where most kids are much younger than I am...

I started worrying the other day when I got onto the hospital's website that I would ultimately like to work at... almost every RN position states... BSN required or BSN preferred... It makes me so mad with the nursing shortage and the 100+ positions open that this is stated in almost every job posting. An ADN should be the "requirement or the preferred".... IMO

I'm just hoping that they will consider the fact that I have a BS in another area and my ADN will get me the RN position I want so badly (the BS will just be that extra ummpphh I might need) Does that make sense???

[cenote]

I would contact the hospitals located in the area where you want to work and ask if a BA and a ADN will get you the position you desire. In my case, I did ask and found out that my educational background with an ADN from Charity School of Nursing in N.O. (which is a highly regarded nursing school) was all I needed to do anything in nursing. Good Luck.

[buddhak0n]

I'm not lacking compassion for those that are sick or injured.

I'm questioning more the "necessity" of certain educational requirements as barriers to entry into the field.

The two are quite distinct. Sorry you felt it was disrespectful but seriously from strictly an "educational" requirement standpoint.. some of the reactions are laughable.

I'm not saying you shouldn't have to receive training to become a RN.

I'm saying that some of the "classroom" training, if you have prior experience in those subject areas, should have an alternative method for receiving credit because after all any of your true patient care skills are MOST likely to be developed during your time with patients....

Not to say that there aren't certain BASICS you should possess before being allowed in... there are but I'm sorry somebody telling me I have to retake a Chemistry 101 course when I could pass any final administered by any Chem Prof in any undergrad college in this state including Princeton with a two to three hour review is downright laughable.

Sorry but the two are completely unrelated... how someone treats their patients and their intellectual prowess have nothing to do with one another..

Sorry there's nothing wrong with someone thinking that somebody telling you to retake your basic science courses in order to get a degree in another field does not smell like a thorough education designed to ensure the highest quality patient care..

It smells like another reason to rechurn more credit fees into the local school which is EXACTLY what it is....

I stayed at my old job for the past 4 years before making this type of move because they tried to tell me I had to do the same thing and ,

Excuse me I wasn't willing to give up a given 200 + k , for a oh let's send you back to school where you're broke so you can retake the same stuff you memorized at 16...

And I'm most definitely not considering entering the profession for fiscal or monetary reasons... I don't need the money and I don't need the heartaches or stress...

I'm sorry if I flamed a bit too much and came off way off base which it was because at the time..

I was laughing at what someone at the local Community college had told me;

Sorry it spilled over ... I think I've got a way to get this done without having to do it "THAT" way exactly so I'm all better now..

Please excuse my mild psychosis whilst I figured out a way to get the "papers" that will let me get on with what I'd like to do.

Yes it was disrespectful in some ways, but telling me that I have to retake certain basic chem and biology courses is ludicrous.

[buddhak0n]

[quote=luvmy3kids;2134794]

Originally Posted by cenote

I have a bachelor's and went about 1/4 through an MBA before deciding that I had the career that I wanted at the time . . . Real Estate. Many years later, I determined that I wanted to get my RN.

I compared the ADN with the BSN and went the ADN route for several reasons. First of all, after doing some research I discovered that the BSN would take one year longer. Second, the courses that would add this one year were, for the most part, NOT applicable to nursing and included: Art Appreciation, Computer 101, and some other non discript courses that seemed purposely added to make the student spend more time and money getting that degree). The only two courses really applicable to nursing were Chemistry and Statistics. I had taken these courses many years previous but they were "too old". Further, I found that with my bachelor's and an ADN, I was still eligible, in most arenas, for supervisory and management roles AND for entrance into most programs for a Master's Degree in Nursing.

I am glad you posted this. I've been on the fence about getting my ADN or just getting the BSN since I already have a BS. The ADN is so much more attainable for me.... the cost is less, the time is less, the school is closer and I just feel more comfortable going to a CC at the age of 34 than to the U here in MN where most kids are much younger than I am...

I started worrying the other day when I got onto the hospital's website that I would ultimately like to work at... almost every RN position states... BSN required or BSN preferred... It makes me so mad with the nursing shortage and the 100+ positions open that this is stated in almost every job posting. An ADN should be the "requirement or the preferred".... IMO

I'm just hoping that they will consider the fact that I have a BS in another area and my ADN will get me the RN position I want so badly (the BS will just be that extra ummpphh I might need) Does that make sense???

See that's what I COMPLETELY Do not get...... How can any course be TOO OLD? They should have to under federal law give you the opportunity to test your proficiency in any subject area before uniformly declaring a prerequisite as "too old" ...

Under the current rules a Molecular Biologist who worked for Wyeth for the past 20 years would have a hard time proving that he passed Anatomy and Phys... It's ludicrous.

[buddhak0n]

I say this with 100% certainty, there is not a true "nursing" shortage... if there were why would there be "Per Diem" nurses and Nurse managers and "agency" nurses.. If there truly were not enough nurses to care for a community or any private hospital's patient necessities, why wouldn't all these people be fully employed? Sorry it's the business person in me that sets off this glowing Neon sign <g>..

There is however a burgeoning Nurse "reeducation" business ... LOL..

Hey maybe it's me but my mama and papa told me a long time ago, when you see a Horse you don't call it a Pig because you think it's cute...

It's still a Horse lol. And as far as the overwhelming compassion part, I realize that much of this comes from being terribly overworked but there's a group out there and we all know they exist who are anything BUT ... <g>.

I think I should become a Brain Surgeon and then try to operate on my own brain for even considering doing something like this... LOL .. sorry I had to throw that in there for the person you wanted to tell me they were a Navy Captain who thought I was intellectually too big for my britches..

Which I am, but everybody has their faults....

Excuse me, I'm really good at taking tests... it's got nothing to do with patient care but I could test out of all kinds of things and that would cut down on some of this and I MOST Certainly am not retaking my basic core Pre Req's.. And I most certainly would consider about 70% of the course work to be remedial reading... sorry that's the truth.

Never in a million years am I retaking basic Chem or anything of that Ilk... lol <g>.

[catlover13]

I graduated with a BS in Physics in 1985.

I had to re-take Psychology 101 and English 101 before entering my nursing program.

Was it silly? Yes, in some ways. However, I DID learn new things in each class. I don't see any opportunity for learning as a waste.

While re-taking these classes, I had a different mind set also. I thought about Psychology in regards to nursing, and English in terms of charting and effective communication.

Even if you have a solid background in ANY advanced degree, nursing is a totally different ball game. I would see value in having to re-take classes, as your emphasis is now different. I will have to re-take more classes as I continue on for my RN, and that's OK, I'll learn something new.

It was more problematic to find a nursing program that did NOT look at my 20+ year old GPA as part of their competitive entrance process :-)

I pursued my LPN, and am planning on bridging to RN....but this is definitely a 2nd degree for me.

[abbylee1211]

Originally Posted by buddhak0n

Excuse me, I'm really good at taking tests... it's got nothing to do with patient care but I could test out of all kinds of things and that would cut down on some of this and I MOST Certainly am not retaking my basic core Pre Req's.. And I most certainly would consider about 70% of the course work to be remedial reading... sorry that's the truth.

Never in a million years am I retaking basic Chem or anything of that Ilk... lol <g>.

won't comment on anything except... if you're so interested in what others' 1st careers were... read more carefully. I was ARMY, not NAVY. and no, it's not all the same.