BS holder - ADN or Second Degree Program - Please help!

[kalin]

I have been visiting this website for the last two years and this is my first thread. I hope someone out there will read it and help me:)

I have a BS in Web Design and after a life changing experience I have decided to go to nursing school. At the moment, I am taking my prerequistes for a second degree program. I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old and I am a stay home mother. I am also volunteering at a local children's hospital in the NICU department.

After doing some research, I understand that I have two options to become an RN. I can get into a second degree program and get my BSN in 18 months. Second degree programs are very intensive and they say you do not have time to see your family etc etc. If I miss one class (with kids it will happen), there will be a lot of problems. Also, I have to take too many prerequisites before I can apply to the program.

The second option is to go to a local community college and get an ADN in two years

(maybe slower pace, not sure, you guys may help me with the answer). I have to take 3 more classes to be able to get into the ADN program. They require less prerequisites.

The difference between the two options is the second degree program is once a week night time and clinicals on the weekends, while the ADN program classes and clinicals are during the week, day time (and the kids are at school during that time). I do not have any family support. It is just me, my husband, and some friends.

After getting my ADN I can finish my BSN (online program) or with the BS degree that I have I could go to a BSN/MS bridge programs.

As you can see I have couple of options and I want to get your opinions especially if you have a background similar to mine.

I do not want to sacrifice my kids while I am getting my degree. That is my main concern. I know I will have to study very hard but with a second degree program it looks like I will not be able to see my kids during that 18 months.

Please Please help me!

[kalin]

Thank you all for your suggestions. When I say slow pace program I do not mean to say that it will be easy. I know that nursing school is very intensive. I will have to study every minute that I have. I know ADN program is not easier. I just want to have time to spend with my kids when they come from school (from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm till they go to bed) After they go to sleep I can study. From what I understand from my research, BSN Express programs are 5 days a week from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, sometimes even longer. ADN program that I am looking into (Delaware County Community College Day Program) is 4 days a week, classes from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and clinicals from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm) which gives me sometime to spend my time. It is very hard to decide:)

[futurenurseya33]

If you already have a BS degree there are a lot of options out there that will allow you to bridge that to MSN. I'm in a similar boat but without the children. I simply cannot afford to spend more money on a Bachelor's degree. So i'm getting the ADN which is much cheaper for me. I can't comment about what to do with kids but I do have a job which i need and is somewhat demanding. You just have to do what's best for you. Perhaps you can lean on your husband for more support. With just me, I'm still learning to deal with all the demands.

PS...i purchased a crock-pot which works wonders timewise!

[noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP]

I was in the same situation as you, minus the niños, and chose the ADN. I did not want to go $35,000 in debt for another bachelors degree.

[Quickbeam, BSN, RN]

I chose a second degree accelerated BSN program over an ADN program. No regrets. It was hard work but during that 12 months I also got married and managed to take a 3 week trip to Scandinavia. It was hard but I had been working 2 jobs and going to night school...the accelerated program was a relative breeze after that!

Seriously, my accelerated program took great care of me, made sure I got all my classes and the best possible clinical rotations. I'd not have traded that experience for the world and I got a great career out of it. That was 25 years ago.

[MInurse.st]

I would check w/ the accelerated program about their schedule.. Mine was not 5 days/ week 8-5. It was usually 3, one 10 week block it was 4. It seems that a lot of programs are different, so it may help you compare if you know the schedule for you particular program.

[emom]

SanDiegocaliRN- I just want you to know that your post made a huge difference in my life! Keep Inspiring people sister!