Deciding which program is best

oldsockventriloquist · Jul 11, 2016

I'm gonna start off with my major point and then move onto the secondary point about your neck. This is going to seem counterintuitive, but please consider switching to nursing and NOT finishing your first degree. By gaining a bachelor's degree, you disqualify yourself from the all non-loan based federal financial aid and probably disqualify yourself from your state financial aid. Talk to a financial aid counselor to confirm this at UF. Don't ask them if you should finish! Ask them what financial aid you will qualify for with a second degree. If for some MAJOR reason you need to graduate or for some reason you no longer qualify for that aid (you used it all up, family income is too high and your still a dependent, etc.), then move onto reading paragraph #2. If you still qualify for that aid and please ask financial aid if that is the case, then don't finish your first degree, especially if you have no loans taken out now or SUBSIDIZED student loans. I know the allure of an ABSN program seems quite tempting, with many only taking one year, but you will most likely paying back those hefty student loans for ten years. If this message reaches you too late, consider ADN programs that are manageable financially. I'm sure in Florida there are many nurses that get hired with an ADN.

For your neck, please see a healthcare provider. You will be surprised what they might be able to do, so that it doesn't affect your life that much. Also, if it hurts while sitting down, consider better cushioning. I don't know the effects on the neck from those bouncy balls, but it would be worth looking into.

BeachsideRN, ASN · Jul 11, 2016

Yes. Check with financial aid. The whole game changes after you get that first bachelors - no pell grants, no state grants, etc. switch majors. You will prob have to appeal FA at some point down the line d/t being over the max credits allowed - but that is all paperwork and a few checkboxes making sure you actually have a plan and aren't just taking classes willy nilly. ABSN programs are very expensive. Another consideration cost wise is to apply at the CCs and other state college programs that maybe less costly than UF. There are many ways to get into nursing. ADN then an RN-bsn bridge should be quick since you have all the "extra" General reqs already completed, can be the most effective, least expensive route. And opens up work opportunities quicker and then employee tuition reimbursement.

ThatBigGuy · Jul 11, 2016

I would not finish your Psych BS, especially if you've already taken all of your pre-reqs for nursing.

I would just apply for nursing school and get after it. In the meantime, work as much as you can and build up a healthy emergency fund, because you do have some risk as you pass the max credit limit.

I would at least enquire into how long you can leave that Psych BS unfinished and still come back to finish it. It's not a big deal in the long run, but would look nice on a resume if you were able to finish the Psych degree online/part time down the road.

LJR89 · Jul 12, 2016

one of my nursing classmates uses a music stand for reading, since she also has some neck/back issues.

And a few others do the whole walking on a treadmill while reading, I don't think that would work for me, but there are lots of different strategies out there!

GourmandG · Jul 12, 2016

Sound advice thus far so I'll just add my two cents worth as someone whom is also interested in being a future CRNA.

Yes, I agree with others whom suggested leaving your BS in Psychology unfinished as getting that degree would disqualify you from all sorts of monetary aid.

Talk to your school counselor as to when your credits may expire or if they are grandfathered in so you can keep an eye on the situation in order to go back and complete that degree. Getting that BS will count for something later on down the road especially if you want to move up and get into management in the nursing field or elsewhere. I read that CRNA programs requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing OR "an appropriate baccalaureate degree". This means that you do not need a BSN specifically. You'll have to check the specific program requirements but they may very well accept a BS in Psychology! If so, you may be wasting time and money on getting the BSN when you are so close to your BS in Psychology.

I recommend getting your ADN through the community college because not only is it more affordable (possibly free if you receive financial aid, grants and scholarships - hence, do not finish your BS in Psychology yet) but the smaller class size promotes a higher success rate. The sooner you get out, the sooner you can work because you need 1 - 2 years of acute care setting experience to apply for CRNA school too. Even if you get your BS in Psychology, you'd have to take however many years off to gain that experience (you may not get into acute care right away) before getting into CRNA school so isn't it more efficient and makes more sense to start working and trying to get that acute care experience? While you're working, you can finish up your BS in Psychology and your employer will probably pay for it too.

In regards to studying, my program has the option of ebooks with a feature where the computer will read the text like an audio book. So you can listen to the information if you don't mind the robot voice while laying down or walking around doing household chores. Make sure to take plenty of breaks every half hour or so to stretch your legs and neck. We're also allowed to record lectures so I listen to that a lot while driving somewhere or before going to sleep or again, around the house. You can also do flashcards and have someone quiz you or you can record yourself on a recorder and play back your verbal notes. Even during class, you are allowed breaks and if you need one before break, take it. Go to the restroom or get a drink of water. Meet with a classmate in person or over the phone and ask each other questions. I also take walks with my husband around the apartment complex and tell him what I have learned and I am always trying to educate my friends and family members as well. Often times, I think I understand the material until they ask me a question and I realize, I was missing something. So I go back and read some more. These are some ways that I have studied outside of the box that doesn't require your neck to be in the same position.

Good luck!