Hello everyone! My name is Laura, and I just registered here after reading these messageboards for a few weeks.
I am trying to make a decision about where to go to nursing school. I was just accepted into Vanderbilt's Master's of Nursing Program in Midwifery, which I am very excited about. However, it is extremely expensive, and I am trying to decide if it is worth it. It's a 6-semester program. After the first 3 semesters I would take the NCLEX and become an RN. The remaining 3 semesters would be spent in the midwifery specialty.
The other option is to go to a cheaper school, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, for 1.5-2 years, get a Bachelor's of Nursing Degree, take the NCLEX and become an RN, then work for a few years and go back to school to get the master's degree.
I have no nursing experience. I have been taking my pre-requisites at a local community college and will start my program, whichever one I decide on, this fall.
My question is: is it better to get the lower degree first, gain some experience, and return for the master's? Or is it worth the money to just do it all up front?
Any advice is greatly greatly appreciated!! Thank you!
-Laura