Anyone else going to an ADN pgm w/ BA already?

FocusRN · Mar 11, 2005

Thank kind of sucks. Down here we have aa ADN program for people with degrees already and it is onlt 10 months long. Wait while I find the link. The deadline for applications is on the 15th, amd I'm sure you wouldn't want to move for this but 10 months beat 3 years anytime in my book. Here you go:

http://www.ololcollege.edu/Accelerated_Nursing.html

Kaseyrn2b · Mar 11, 2005

Thanks for the link! I am not, however, in any position to move. I am married w/ 2 kids and a SAHM...my hubby's job is here and my daughter is already in school, they're very good in our area...etc Wow, thats nuts...almost 20 hrs of nursing a semester, I can't even imagine!!!! If I were single, it would be fun, very intense, but fun!! They have accelerated BSNs up here ( I'm in NC) that are 14 and 16 months long...but both admissions counselors have told me do NOT attempt this if you have a family ( or dog, houseplant etc) My friend, (who is just married), she's in a 2nd degree bachelor's pgm( at UNC) and she's gone from 6 am to 10 pm every day and most of the weekend! Her hubby is NOT happy! I would love to be 'out there' sooner, but I couldn't do that to my family!!! Anyway, guess I was wondering if anyone feels those pulls too...If I had known I wanted to do this long ago when I was single and not a Mommy yet, life would be easier, but I do think personally I'll make a much better nurse w/ more life experience :) My hope is to work in the NICU, I think being a parent I will be able to understand certain things I couldn't before. Good luck to you and thanks for the link...New Orleans sounds fun!

Abersmom · Mar 11, 2005

I'm in the same boat! I have a degree in Education & English, and just recently decided to go back for my Nursing degree. I am in my second semester, and with a child, hubby, job (I work as a tech in a hospital--a nice perk w/benefits, tuition reimbursement & unbelievable hand on experience.) I have to admit...my life is crazy, and I expect it to be for the next few years! There's no wasy way to do it, but just look towards the light at the end of the tunnel! 3 12-hour shifts as a nurse will be OH SO NICE!!!

Hang in ther!

betsyMT2003 · Mar 11, 2005

Abersmom - mind if I ask what kind of tech you are/what you do? Sounds like a great situation. I'd love work in the hospital p/t as I'm going through school. I have a degree in chemistry and 13 years of experience in a lab, as well as working as a medical transcriptionist for the last 2 years. What a great deal with the hospital reimbursing your tuition! Thanks for any info you can give...

FocusRN · Mar 11, 2005

I'm in the same boat! I have a degree in Education & English, and just recently decided to go back for my Nursing degree. I am in my second semester, and with a child, hubby, job (I work as a tech in a hospital--a nice perk w/benefits, tuition reimbursement & unbelievable hand on experience.) I have to admit...my life is crazy, and I expect it to be for the next few years! There's no wasy way to do it, but just look towards the light at the end of the tunnel! 3 12-hour shifts as a nurse will be OH SO NICE!!!
Hang in ther!

I know what you mean about the hours. I plan on working the weeend special (working 16 hours on saturday and sunday, for a total of 32 hours and getting paid for 40). I'll have the whole week off to spend my my family. I love it. I guess that is one of the reasons I like this field so much. Once you actually get out there you can always find a way to make your career work around your life and not the other way around!

futurenp · Mar 12, 2005

I'm in the same position. I have B.A. in economics with a minor in business. There are no accelerated programs around. The only BSN is a private school 50 minutes away at 20k+ per year. The Community College is right here in town and the whole program, including books, will be less than 9k total. Also, once I get my RN, I can combine it with my B.A. and two excelsior courses and apply for an MSN at the state university which is much cheaper than the private school. The way I look at it, most accelerated programs are 12-18 months long and are very demanding. The ADN program in town is only 18 months long (2 9 month years) with summers off to enjoy with my kids. I think I'd rather take it slower and cheaper and not have the big commute. It's a tough decision...

Gennaver, MSN · Mar 12, 2005

Hello There:
I feel like I have so many hoops to jump thru! I have my BA in psych and almost a dual degree in bio as well, and I have to take 3 classes over as they are too old. I understand completely,
There are some great BSN pgms around me, that would probably allow me to start clinicals sooner, but w/ a family and debt already from my undergrad, I just think ADN is financially the only thing. Plus both of those schools offer rn-msn pgms which I plan to persue.

Hi Kaseyrn,

I am completing my BA in May 2005, (in Soc with a minor in Psych and an Associates in Biology) and am scheduled to begin an ADN program for the fall of this year! However, I am also waiting to find out about a direct entry graduate program but, for now, the ADN is locked in. :) Phew.

A nurse I worked with in the past had her BS in Chemistry and worked as a chemist for a couple of years but told me that she realized the real autonomy and good pay, (among all the other reasons) was in nursing. She got her ADN too.

I have been working towards this for over five years, (became a CNA in 1989 and decided to go back to school in 1998. However, that being said, I didn't pay close enough attention to the deadlines for application every year at various schools!

I remember in my A&P I and II and in my inorganic Chem classes hearing women say how they already took all these but they were over five years old. Sigh, this is the fifth year for my A&P I and II and my Chem!! If I didn't get in this year I would have to retake them all!

Anyhow, while the programs are very competitive to get in I am pretty sure that with wise planning you will get in.

Good luck and good choice!!

Gen

hcmanp, NP · Mar 12, 2005

Thanks for the link! I am not, however, in any position to move. I am married w/ 2 kids and a SAHM...my hubby's job is here and my daughter is already in school, they're very good in our area...etc Wow, thats nuts...almost 20 hrs of nursing a semester, I can't even imagine!!!! If I were single, it would be fun, very intense, but fun!! They have accelerated BSNs up here ( I'm in NC) that are 14 and 16 months long...but both admissions counselors have told me do NOT attempt this if you have a family ( or dog, houseplant etc) My friend, (who is just married), she's in a 2nd degree bachelor's pgm( at UNC) and she's gone from 6 am to 10 pm every day and most of the weekend! Her hubby is NOT happy! I would love to be 'out there' sooner, but I couldn't do that to my family!!! Anyway, guess I was wondering if anyone feels those pulls too...If I had known I wanted to do this long ago when I was single and not a Mommy yet, life would be easier, but I do think personally I'll make a much better nurse w/ more life experience :) My hope is to work in the NICU, I think being a parent I will be able to understand certain things I couldn't before. Good luck to you and thanks for the link...New Orleans sounds fun!

My BA Biology degree was 16 years old and they took all of my credits at my school. It might be worthwhile to look at other schools locally to see if they'll do better for you.

I went back when my kids were 7, 5, and 3. It was hard, and I got done in 2 years going part time on the weekends. (It was the RN-MSN that did me in as I was working by then.) But taking my time was worth it in terms of happy-family-ness. After all, I was a stay-at-home-mom, and we were already pretty poor, so what was another 2 years of no income? We came out ahead in the end (though I am still paying off my loans for the MSN).

You WILL make a better nurse with more life experience. Take your time and enjoy ALL aspects of your life: home, family, friends, and school. Life is too short to go rushing through and not enjoy it.

Kaseyrn2b · Mar 13, 2005

My BA Biology degree was 16 years old and they took all of my credits at my school. It might be worthwhile to look at other schools locally to see if they'll do better for you.
I went back when my kids were 7, 5, and 3. It was hard, and I got done in 2 years going part time on the weekends. (It was the RN-MSN that did me in as I was working by then.) But taking my time was worth it in terms of happy-family-ness. After all, I was a stay-at-home-mom, and we were already pretty poor, so what was another 2 years of no income? We came out ahead in the end (though I am still paying off my loans for the MSN).
You WILL make a better nurse with more life experience. Take your time and enjoy ALL aspects of your life: home, family, friends, and school. Life is too short to go rushing through and not enjoy it.

Thank you for all your words of encouragement! My little ones will be 3 and 8 when I start clinicals (hopefully!) I think I will go ahead and apply for the BSN programs around here...as they will require a few less prereqs( 3 vs 5), but still have going for the ADN as sort of a back up plan, if you will. I will be committed to at least 2 yrs either way, and even an extra semster longer than I planned is certainly not the end of the world! Glad to hear someone else has been successful w/ kidlets in tow! I know a lot of pre-nursing students have children, I was just curious about the details! I would be happy w/ either, actually the rumor around here is that the comm. college gives more clinical time, and I know they have better NCLEX passing rates ( I think its nearly 100%!) And of course, you can't beat the price! I think the total cost for BSN pgm I figured to be about 20 k for all, including assorted childcare, and comm college would be about 13k .Anyway, thanks again! Good luck to all!!! BTW.. I got an anatomy and a physiology review/coloring book this weekend! My 6 yr old DD and I have had a great time at our kitchen table, each w/ her own coloring book! LOL!

tonicareer · Mar 14, 2005

Thank kind of sucks. Down here we have aa ADN program for people with degrees already and it is onlt 10 months long. Wait while I find the link. The deadline for applications is on the 15th, amd I'm sure you wouldn't want to move for this but 10 months beat 3 years anytime in my book. Here you go:
http://www.ololcollege.edu/Accelerated_Nursing.html

That New Orleans program sounds great - but you do have a personal interview and have to sign away your life for 2 years - I wonder what they charge? I live in Indiana and there are no programs like that here.

foxfire65 · Mar 14, 2005

Hello There:
I just found out this week I passed my COMPASS math (hooray!!) so I can start my pre-reqs this summer. I am really happy about it, but a little discouraged after meeting w/ the counselor. I feel like I have so many hoops to jump thru! I have my BA in psych and almost a dual degree in bio as well, and I have to take 3 classes over as they are too old. I understand completely, I'll make a better nurse if my info is more current, but I got A's in 2 of them...sigh. I just feel like its going to take forever! I know in the end it will be OK. I have 2 kids, and for me, being a SAHM for the last 5 yrs, I know putting my little guy (he's 22 mos)in full time daycare at this point would kill me, but still...I'm inpatient!!! I will finish my clinicals right before my DS starts Kindergarten, and I really didn't plan on working full-time until everyone was in school, but I guess I just needed to vent. Anyone else feeling this too? There are some great BSN pgms around me, that would probably allow me to start clinicals sooner, but w/ a family and debt already from my undergrad, I just think ADN is financially the only thing. Plus both of those schools offer rn-msn pgms which I plan to persue. Anyway..thanks for listening! Good luck to everyone waiting to hear and waiting on tests!!!

I myself am currently enrolled full time in a community college, working on my pre nursing classes. I have decided to transfer on to a University and finish my education with a BSN. It is a very personal decision to make and I took my time in making mine. It took me awhile to decide actually. The nursing program in my current school is constantly under revision, not accredited and has never really had a good reputation. Although you can finish and go on and pass your boards and gain employment, as I have friends that graduated from this school. I want more options, it sounds like you have already completed your education in other fields, so that leaves the doors open for you. Another thing to consider is how long of wait list do the schools around you have for the ADN program? some of them are two years long and most colleges that offer the BSN have a one year condensed program for people with Bacherlor's degrees who want to go in to nursing. Just investigate everything and think things over. Good luck to you what ever you decided.