anyone in the same boat?

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I am very interested in going back to school to become a RN. I graduated from a university 8 years ago. There is a great RN program at a local community college. Is there a preference for employers for either a university or community college nursing program?

I am a mother and work full time. Any advice on going back to school for nursing and juggling working full time and taking care of my child?

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I graduated 4 yrs ago from my undergrad and I have just been accepted into a DE-MSN program in my area. I have three kiddos so it may be challenging at times, the older two are school aged so that will not be as much of an issue as the youngest who is just 2.

I know many people who go the community college route though with children, especially since some community colleges offer evening programs which can make it easier with kiddos in the mix.

As far as employment goes, I volunteer at a local hospital and they employ both community college and BSN graduates.

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Thank you Becky for your thoughts. I have a 2 and a half year old. Do you work full time and go to school?

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The general thought I heard in my 2 year program is that a 4 year program is good if you are looking to advance into a supervisory level - otherwise a 2 year program is the same. Yet - I've interviewed at some hospitals that stated they were requiring all of their nurses to complete their BSN within 3 years of hiring. Whether that is a trend that hospitals are wanting their staff to all be BSNs in the future - I don't know - and I don't know how realistic it would be considering the "nursing shortage".

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Specializes in Med Surg.

I'm wondering the same thing. I got my first undergrad degree nine years ago. The local CC has a good program, it will be easier to fit into my work schedule. But, I really want to get my BSN and possibly my Masters down the road, so I'm really leaning towards biting the bullet and applying to a four year school. I'm not sure about how I'll work around that, but my DH says we'll make it work!

We don't have kids, so that's not part of our situation, but it is definitely different for me to go to school than it was the first time around. There's a lot more riding on this decision.

Good luck to you!

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Have you looked into an accelerated BSN program? I already have a Bachelor's, and in my area, it would take about the same amount of time for accelerated BSN as an ADN. Of course, if I don't get in the BSN program, I'll be on a waiting list for ADN.

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Have you looked into an accelerated BSN program? I already have a Bachelor's, and in my area, it would take about the same amount of time for accelerated BSN as an ADN. Of course, if I don't get in the BSN program, I'll be on a waiting list for ADN.

in what area u had ur bachelor's? if it is other than nursing, how long did it take to finish pre-reqs?

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Thank you Becky for your thoughts. I have a 2 and a half year old. Do you work full time and go to school?

I currently just volunteer, I hope to work there after this fall when I complete my EMT-B as a floor tech or unit secretary. If I can get in there, they offer tuition reimbursement which would be huge.

The good thing about 2 yr olds is that they are fairly independent and can entertain themselves, even if you have to turn on and listen to Teletubbies or Barney, while you are studying so they are not as needy as a younger infant.

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