Considering Transferring, Need Advice

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Hello, I'm a first quarter pre-nursing student (just working on general studies while on "the list") trying to pursue a two-year R.N. degree. Today, I talked with some R.N. nursing students currently in clinicals. They told me their names came up as soon as they finished general studies, and that they're full-time students, but that it'll end up taking them four years to complete a 2 year degree on full-time status!!! I have dreams of getting my M.S.N in nurse-midwifery, so I don't want to spend four years on an Associates degree. However, the community college I'm attending shares it's campus with a university branch that offers four year degrees. While I would have to go to the main campus eventually in order to finish the B.S.N., I could start it at the branch, and probably get a lot of general stuff out of the way. Furthermore, the university offers an accelerated program so you can get a B.S.N. in three years.

Here's the questions:

1. Would you "stick it out" or would you transfer?

2. If I did transfer, is there any way I could keep my financial aid (assuming I transferred mid-school year)?

[mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP]

If $$$ and time (which it appears to be the same amount of time either way) is no object...go for the BSN from the start, especially because you want your MSN eventually.

If the BSN program is going to take awhile to get into, stay at the CC and get all those core classes out of the way now before you start your nursing classes.

As far as the fin. aid - talk to someone at your school about how that works. Every school and every state is different on how they handle their $$$.

Good luck in whatever you decide!!!