Co-workers think I'm crazy for doing this

[ImaEMT]

I was trying to keep my application to Deaconess a secret at work for a while, but today one of my coworkers mistakenly read an email I received from the admissions office at Deaconess, and she started asking me questions. Before I knew it, there were about 10 people wanting to know about the program, cost, how it worked, etc. But, none of them had a positive thing to say about it! Everyone was discouraging about it..saying that I won't really be a nurse beacuse it can't be a real program...I'll never be able to afford it...noone will hire me...it's a scam, etc.

Everyone knows how badly I want my RN degree, and how impatient I've been these past 3 YEARS waiting to get it at a local school, and the projected wait to start is still 2007! Even my nursing manager, who has a BSN and has been my friend for a while, is discouraging me from this program. Everyone wants to know how come I'm not happy "just" being a CMA???

I emailed the head of nursing for the hospital to see if Deaconess clinicals will be possible at my hospital, but I'm afraid she'll be just as skeptical/discouraging.

Even if I graduate from this program, will I get any respect as a nurse? I don't want to work my tail off for this degree and than have trouble being recognized as a "real" RN, or trouble getting a job. Has anyone run into this?

I spoke with the admissions rep today, and we are waiting on 2 more transcripts to arrive before I have a final acceptance. I will tentatively start this summer. Now I"m kind of doubting my decision.

What do you all think?

TIA

Lisa:confused:

[stnurse83]

I'm sure your making the right decision. The only reason co-workers have anything to say bad is because they have no idea how it works and how many people acually do the online programs. I have done many programs through distance school. When I finished, I got hired by five different employers who was all telling me they would do something better if I would go to work for them. Most of the time people do not agree or have negative remarks because of their own ignorance. People probably think NURSING! You can't do a distance nursing degree! IT'S NOT THAT DIFFERENT!!!!!! Whoever says otherwise just doesn't realize YOU ARE GOING TO SCHOOL AND YOU ARE GOING TO WORK VERY HARD FOR THIS DEGREE!!! You will feel much better about it once you get started. You will see how much dedication and hard work it takes to receive this. The people who say otherwise think you are going to read 1 chapter of a book and take 1 test and BOOM your a nurse. Your familiar with distance education so you probably know how demanding it is. It's not easy!!! You will feel very fulfilled in the end. :)