Need advice about nursing school?!?!

U.S.A. Illinois

Published

Hey all!

I currently go to Kaplan University online for Medical Assisting and will be starting my clinical in October and done in February. I want to continue my education once I am finished with this program in nursing. I am in district for JJC but have heard they have a waiting list? Once I am done with Med Asst I will have a lot of science classes that I would need for nursing. A girl I work with that just finished nursing school thinks I should go for it, but I have heard a lot of positive and negative things about nursing. Also I'm debating whether to try to transfer to a four-year school or get another associates? I already attended St. Xavier before online school and have no interest to go back there. I'm just kind of lost anyone run into this problem? I also worry about clinicals clashing with my work schedule and taking care of my son? Should I try to pursue a BSN or just get an ADN, which one would be the quickest with an AAS in Medical Assisting? Thanks :-)

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JJC does not have a waiting list. The admissions is based on points. You get a certain number of points for each of the classes you have taken that are part of the program, but are not re-reqs (microbio, a&p 2, psych). You get points for your teas score and grades in the pre-reqs. They accept the top 88 people. Everyone who is not accepted needs to reapply the following semester. I learned all of this at their info session. Check their website for future dates. Mary Beth Luna did the info session, and I believe she is the director of the program.

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are you debating getting the associates or bachelors in nursing? depending what you want to do, you might just want to get the associates. i've talked to several nurses, and they say the pay is very close no matter if you have a 2 or 4 year degree (less that $2.00/hr difference). if you plan on moving up the ladder and maybe becoming a head nurse, or some other type of supervisor then you'll need to get the 4 year degree.

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I was debating about getting an associates or bachelors. But thanks for the info!

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From a pay standpoint, I have heard that there really isn't that much difference between someone with an ADN or someone who has a BSN. However, and this is coming from someone with their Associates, I would recommend going ahead and getting the BSN. It may take you longer, but in our current economy, believe it or not, there aren't as many nursing jobs out there as there were just a year or so ago. And even in my job search, there are particular specialties and/or hospitals that prefer or may only hire those with the 4 year degree. In addition, as someone mentioned before, should you ever want to go on to become a supervisor or what not, they would want you to have the 4 year degree. Besides, now that I am ready to start working towards the BSN (RN to BSN programs are out there, too) it looks like I am going to have to take additional coursework because some of my pre-reqs for my ADN do not satisfy the BSN requirement. On top of which, I'll be juggling work and school when I finally settle down to do this. So, if you have the time and the money to accomplish the 4 year degree, I say knock it out now.

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