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Discussion

Advice Please

hello,

i need advice regarding nursing programs. i received a bs in psych about 10 years ago. i have a great job, but would like to make a career change to nursing. i have given it a lot of thought and i really feel that the nursing profession would is a good match for me. i would like to eventually become a physicians assistant, although at this point it seems like i am hitting major roadblocks everywhere i turn. :cry:

i have been researching schools & attending info sessions, but i am having a lot of difficulty finding a program that would work for me. i currently work m-f, 9-5, while making $65,000 per year. unfortunately, i need to keep working while going to school, so the accelerated programs just won't work for me. i have looked at the programs at simmons, regis & umass boston. they all require full-time, day time study. at this point in my life, i need a program that mostly meets in the evening and that can be done on a part-time basis.

another important factor - i got my bachelors degree 10 years ago, slacked off a bit - my gpa was 2.5. i have grown significantly since then and am much more committed to school than i was then. also, i have to complete some prereq's - micro, a&p i &ii.

it was suggested that i look at mass bay cc, pursue an associates degree, then take the online rn to bsn program at umass boston. this would take a total of 4.5 years. i would like to finish sooner than that, but it seems like this is the only option open to me at this time. i also would prefer not to graduate with 90k in loans, so i am looking for something affordable. does anyone have feedback on this plan? am i wasting time?

is anyone in a similar position? any suggestions for schools/programs?

also, does anyone have any information on what an rn with an associate's degree would typically make? what types of settings you can work in? i really can't afford to make less than i am currently making, due to the mortgage, family, ect....but from my research, it seems like most rn's w/o a bsn make around $22/hour...right?

i am so confused at this point...and i am getting pretty discouraged. i really want to make this dream a reality. any assistance would be greatly appreciated! :yeah:

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    • Featured Replies

    My advice is enjoy your day job with weekends off and your 65K. Neither is realistically possible for a new RN. Start taking the prereqs in the evenings to see how it goes.

    Nursing is not a stepping stone to Physician Assistant AFAIK. It can be surprisingly rewarding in many ways though.

    Good luck.

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    I agree with Reddy... becoming a PA is a different path. I think it takes the 3 years full time (maybe a little bit less with prereqs) and I think Northeastern U has a program. If you are wanting to become an RN, you might want to wait until the economy gets a little better. New grad RNs are having a hard time finding jobs. I think you should think about whether you want to be a PA, RN or NP.

    I am in a similar position but was laid off. I was making almost six figures but the industry I was in (design and construction) has no opportunity with the current state of the economy so I decided to go back to school to become a Nurse Practitioner. I am currently applying to schools for the accelerated MSN and its something I have thought about for years. With my decision, I know I cannot work and have to put my all into it. There are accelerated MSN programs that you can do full time for 18mos until you get your RN and do the remaining 18mos part time. Cost, of course, is high but you can try to get into a public school like Northeastern U that offers a program a little cheaper. I dont know of any accelerated programs that you would be able to keep your current job. I personally would rather go full time and get it over with.

    Its frustrating, I know! Good luck!

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    I agree with the above posters. If you are interested in becoming a PA, I would suggest doing some EMT type work to get more clinical experience. In rural communities it is possible to get certified as an EMT and then volunteer as a first responder . This type of experience will also make you a stronger candidate for PA school. At the same time, start taking the science prereq and pull your GPA up. PA school is highly competitive.

    May I ask what your current job is?

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    If you want to be a PA, then why are you going through nursing?? Why not become an EMT and then apply to PA school? I did a direct-entry MSN/NP program and completed it in 2 years, while still working 16 hours a week (I worked evenings and weekends). I could have stretched it out longer and gone part time so I could work more hours, but I didn't want that. I had no trouble getting a job, but as I'm sure you've read, RNs (especially new grads) are finding it very challenging to find jobs in MA. It was worth the sacrifices I made to go to school full time and just be done with it. I do owe a lot of money, but I got a job working at a community health center and the National Health Service is going to forgive most of my debt in exchange for a 2 year commitment.

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    If you decide to go the nursing route I can recommend Quincy College. I have a bachelor's in psych and needed a part time evening program. There were no evening bachelor's RN programs that I could find in MA which really sucked. I am just finishing my first year at Quincy. Class first semester was Monday 8-10, Tuesday 4 to 8:30, and clinical Wednesdays 2:30 -11:30. Second semester the Monday was dropped. Next Year will be the same schedule without the Mondays. It bugs me that I am getting a AS degree when I already have a bachelor's but I needed to be home to take care of my elderly parent. I plan on going for my master's online as soon as graduate. It is taking me a long time this way, but it is less stressful and really works with my schedule.

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    I think Salem State may have evening options.

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    • Author

    Wow, so many great responses - Thank you for your feedback!

    I do currently enjoy my job, like the schedule & pay. The problem is that I work for a small non-profit agency - we are state funded and had tremendous budget cuts this year. I have decided to change careers due the instability of my current field. I am currently the CEO of the company and although it's great now, I am not sure if I could do this type of work for the rest of my life. I have always been interested in the medical field, so it seems like a natural choice for me.

    I understand that starting out I will not be making what I am making now, but thought the average range for a new grad would be around 45k-50k...am I way off base here?? I have 2 friends that are new grads (traditional BSN program) that are making between 70k & 80k because of overtime. They are working in a major Boston Hospital...is that really unusual? Unfortunately, my husband is out of work on disability, and my elderly mother-in-law has moved in with us...so at this time I am the breadwinner of the family...this is why I need to continue to work.

    Thank you for your input regarding becoming a PA. I thought that you needed a BSN before getting your masters to become a PA or NP. I was told that you could get your masters in an evening, part-time program. Not true? My plan was to get my masters slowly while working as an RN. My plan at this point is to start with my prereq's and pull my gpa up.

    Bcgradnurse- I have a few questions about the direct-entry program- did you have a BSN first? I am assuming this program was at BC...right? Also can you tell me more about the National Health service?

    Disneybear - So you are going to graduate with an associates and then go straight to an online masters program? What program are you thinking about?

    Thank you for all of your input!!!! :yeah:

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    • Guides

    Hi Suzanne,

    No, I did not have a BSN first. I had a BS (non-nursing) and an MBA before I started the direct entry program. Direct entry programs are for people that have degrees in other fields. Some direct entry programs give both a BSN and an MSN-mine did not. I have an RN-MSN. And yes, I did go to Boston College.

    The National Health Service has both a scholarship program and a loan repayment program. You can apply for the scholarship while you are in school andif you're accepted, you will be placed at an NHS approved site-usually in a low income or rural area that has a great need for practitioners and then they pay a certain amount of your tuition. The loan repayment program is for people who are already employed at an NHS designated site,and then apply for loan repayment. I did it the second way-I had the job first and then applied. In return for a 2 year commitment they will pay back $50,000 of my loans. These programs have been historically difficult to get into, but President Obama poured a ton of stimulus money into them this year, so there were significantly more awards. I'm not sure if that will continue for the remainder of his presidency or not.

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    • Author

    Great info - Thank you! :)

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    I am thinking of going straight on after graduation. Perhaps Drexal or Loyola.

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