Accelerated (ABSN) Backgrounds

[Watermaster]

I am nearing a place in life where I will transition to become a registered nurse. My academic background, and (nearly completed) career is in the earth sciences, specifically hydrology. Its been fascinating and technical but is entirely lacking for an able and caring person. I am applying for accelerated nursing programs with a goal of becoming a registered nurse and helping our injured military veterans transition successfully back to their families and the civilian world. I am curious though about the experiences of others along a similar (ABSN) path.

My curiosity for every accelerated BSN (second degree BSN) student and graduate; did you migrate from a position/background where your original degree supported the work you performed? I have thrived on the prerequisite coursework finding it both interesting and amazing. The people I have studied with have been excited about their future and motivating for the most part.

For you, what was your motivation to enter nursing? Was the transition to the medical field all you anticipated? What were the thrills and or the hurdles you personally encountered? Are you close to your goals - I wish everyone of you the best!

Thanks

[tokebi]

Welcome to the field, and my best wishes on your journey of becoming a nurse!

I've done a direct-entry master's program, which is similar to ABSN program in its structure and target students. My background was also in natural sciences -- physics and biochem. It does not directly help my nursing practice, but I like having the knowledge base to gain deeper understanding of medical interventions and pharmacology.

My motivation for entering nursing is a bit convoluted... I initially became an LVN when I was younger with financial motive, but I became very dissatisfied and so pursued higher education and thought I found my passion in biochemistry. However, the more I learned about the life as a bench scientist, less appealing it seemed. My thoughts returned to nursing and decided it was exactly what I needed after all -- knowledge and human interaction. I thoroughly enjoyed my nursing program and couldn't be happier with my current job of caring for BMT patients.

I'm glad you're enjoying pre-req courses so much. That and with your background, you'll have a great foundation for nursing coursework to build upon. Personally though, I've felt certain parts of the nursing curriculum to be quite frustrating and too... wishy washy. But I appreciate the fact that nursing encompasses all aspects of patient care -- not only medical but emotional and psychosocial -- and the education prepared me well.

As far as transitioning into nursing field, I've seen many nursing students get disappointed as they start clinicals after witnessing some ugly side of nursing (or healthcare in general), and I'm sure you've seen plenty venting posts here on AN. I've been exposed to various settings -- good and bad -- working as LVN in the past, so I didn't find the transition too hard.

Thrills and hurdles... The patients on our unit stay for a long time. Transplant and recovery is long and painful journey for many of them. We get to know them well, and so, losing them is very hard. Watching them suffer with drawn-out complications is very hard. On the other hand, keeping them safe and helping them to get through another day is the thrill I get everyday. I also expand my knowledge along the way... that's an incredible feeling. Regardless of specialty, I think all nurses can empathize.

Anyways, I wish you only the best in your journey and reaching your goal!

[1fastRN]

Entered an ABSN program with a bachelor's in psych, background in personal training for several years. Always wanted to be a nurse deep down but (mistakenly) went the mental health route. It wasn't what I wanted so I never even attempted to get into the mental health field.

The transition wasn't bad, I already had people skills and a pretty good understanding on health in general. You will learn the basics in school and a lot in clinicals but "real" nursing is learned on the job, imo. I reached my goals and I am always setting new ones. In my graduating class we had an actor in his 40s, a kindergarten teacher in her 40s, an engineer in his 50s, and in general a mixed bag. I think you'll be fine!