Advice for Returning to BSN Program After a Break

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Hello all,

I started a BSN program a few years ago - it would have been my second bachelor's degree (the first was in community health education). I'll keep the story short, but basically due to a divorce, I withdrew from the program after one semester. Since that time, I have worked in public health as a health educator and even got an MPH at night (so I haven't been completely out of school mode this whole time), and am now returning to finish my BSN.

I did very well first semester (all A's and a B+) and I am very fortunate that my program is allowing me to return right where I left off - but I will be returning cold to second semester in a BSN program in January 2011 and I am very nervous. Any tips on how to prepare and review first semester work? Has anyone else taken an extended break in between nursing school semesters like I will be?

I work full-time right now, but I intend to spend a great deal of time studying between now and January. I looked at the booklist for the students starting in the Fall that I will be joining in January, and the books are all the same as when I was there, just newer editions. Do you think it's necessary to update to the new editions when I study?

If I had it to do over, I would not have withdrawn from the program, but at this point, I can't change it and just want to make sure I'm successful and well-prepared as I finish up my last three semesters. I'm so excited to finally be a nurse.

Thanks for any advice you all have!

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

Personally I would not buy newer editions. Just copy pages from a classmate's book if needed or see if the book is in the school library or copy from Instructor.

See if you can obtain a syllabus from courses you already took. Instructors and maybe the school bookstore will have these. The syllabi will help you focus on what you need to review.

Ask the Dean or an Instructor for advice. They are generally glad to help eager students.

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Look at your old books if you still have them. Get a NCLEX book and start doing questions from whatever courses you took in your first semester to see if you can recall most of the info.

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I do still have my old books - and I bet I could get the syllabi for Fall, that's a great idea.

Thanks to you both for the advice :) My school does seem very willing to help.

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Specializes in psych nursing.

Review stuff from previous semester.

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If there is room in your schedule once school starts, with the permission of the instructor, see if you can occasionally sit in on some of the first semester lecture classes to kind of help you review things. Also seek the advice of an advisor. Our school had a special advisor who worked with people to help them remain in the program. An advisor could give you tips on how to catch up if you even need to. Good luck.

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