Should I try out Social Work

[mmallen]

I finished all my prerequisites to get into a nurse program, but since I applied to my local community college while I was still taking the last prerequisite they didn't accept me. They encouraged me to apply again next year. I applied to a social work program as a back up in case I didn't get in the nurse program.

Well, now that the M.S.W. program is about to start I'm having doubts if I ever really wanted to do social work. I am wondering if I should cancel the M.S.W. program when it is only a month away from starting to apply for nursing again at my local community college. The nurse program won't start until next year and there is no guarantee that I will get in. I got offered funding for social work but I have to pay it back if I drop out or fail out of the program. What should I do? Should I try out the social work program to see if I like it? Or should I cancel the program and just wait to reapply for nursing?

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

If you don't want to do The MSW program, then DON'T...don't put yourself in a program where you will be on the hook for dropping out.

Reapply for the nursing program, as well as look into other area nursing programs; even PN school is an option; look at your area market and decide.

Best wishes.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

It honestly depends on what you want to do. No guarantee that you will get in next year either. Like Ladyfree said you could apply to the PN program or try at another school. But you need to decide what you want to do with your life. You are the one living it, not us.

[nlitened]

If your heart isn't in it, then don't waste your time. Reapply to the nursing program. And while you wait for that to start make sure you have all your pre reqs out the way, or start working on the ones that will eventually go towards your BSN.

[Livetoride]

Try applying for Nursing School again. You may not start till next year or you get rejected again, but plenty of members on this board will tell you they never gave up even if they got rejected. Besides your school, look into other schools if you can, to see what their requirements are and apply to them too. It helps to give you a better chance of acceptance into a program.

Also, try to apply to the PN program before RN because you would have better odds getting into that vs an ADN/BSN RN program. From what I understand, it's not that much competition for LPN as it is with RN.

Please don't give up. You don't want to be on the hook for a career you sound like you will not enjoy. You can do it!

[shan409, ASN, BSN, LPN, RN]

Yes both jobs help people, but nursing is a passion that ONLY nurses possess. I wanted to go for my BSW/MSW, but Nursing is my passion. I am finally starting an LPN program and am so excited. I am still on a waitlist for ADN at a community college. After I finish my LPN program I will have a better chance at getting into an RN program at advanced standing. There are alot of seats left fot LPNs, but none left for new RN students. Most waitlists in my area (Detroit, MI) are at least 2 years for RN programs.

My best friend has her MSW (bachelors in PSYCH and Criminal Justice) and loves her job, but is barely able to make her student loan payments. One good advantage to nursing (in most states) is that you will not not be rich, but you will be able to care for yourself and family without worrying about so much.