Any Advice???

Sunshine0425 · Mar 1, 2006

I know I am going to need to get my BSN. My question was would it be better to get it first...18 month accelerated program...starts in Jan'07 or start an accelerated ASN program fall'06 and be fininshed May'07. I would be working while going back to school part time. I only have my core nursing major classes left to take...all my sciences I am taking now, and I have my gen ed's finished from my prior degree. I guess the bottom line question is, do you think it's doable to work and go to school??? Since I am not a nurse right now, I have no idea how hard this would be???? I really want to apply for CRNA school...I can be in the process of getting my BSN while applying, but the experience is what they need to have to apply. 1 year minimum, 2 yrs pref. Thanks for all your posts....

~Sarah

rayman · Mar 1, 2006

Sarah, hindsight is 20/20. 15 years ago I decided to get my AS instead of my BSN because I was tired of being poor and working full-time and school full-time. I could always get my BSN later. Now for me it worked out ok because of the job market at the time and other things. In the mean time life happened and I have been delayed. Now I am busting my As# working fulltime, online bsn fulltime 2 kids, mortgage, yada, yada, yada. It's doable, but if circumstances are such that you can go ahead and get your bsn now then I would do that without a doubt. I am to start anesthesia school in January but I have to get through this crap first. Less crap is better.

rayman

JiffyGriff · Mar 1, 2006

I will be working part time with my ADN while finishing up my BSN, I will be working full time in the summers, part time should be fine but I think you'd be pushing it with full time, I've thought about it and I don't think I could do it. If you get a job somewhere that offers the weekend option without having to have worked at the hospital for a predetermined time first then you could work 2 weekend 12's a week and get paid 36....pretty sweet deal, and remember your year of exp. has to be full time. Also, what's up with this accelarated BSN program you mentioned, 18 months??? I don't know anyone that condenses a full 4 year degree into 18 months.......I think what you're looking at is probably an ADN RN to BSN program. Maybe I read that wrong or something. If I were you, I'd just stop trying to find ways around it and pay your dues, that's what I am in the process of doing now and that's what everyone who is a CRNA has done, not rushing through your education and getting the real experience you need will help you in the long run; that way you don't end up being the CRNA everyone complains about when you bring a simple hernia repair into the PACU still tubed. JMHO.

crna to be? · Mar 1, 2006

I would recommend getting your ADN first...then work while finishing your BSN. That is the route that I took and although it is busy, it can be done. ?The other perk is having your hospital help with tuition (always a bonus!) I have learned to live a very structured lifestyle. I also have a two year old that requires much of my time.

Sunshine0425 · Mar 2, 2006

Jiffy Griff:

An 18 month accelerated program is just that...accelerated. One has to have a prior four year degree. One also has to have a number of prerequisites finished. It is also a full time program...with work highly discouraged. My entire point in posting the OP was to get advice on which route might be best. In my view I am paying my dues. I work full time, am a full time student, am a wife, and have a one year old. YES I am paying my dues to do whatever it takes to become what I am called to. I want to do what's BEST, not easiest. :)

utahliz · Mar 2, 2006

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