Did you attend your RN-BSN graduation?

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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I will be completing my rn-bsn degree in a few months (Lord willing). I am debating whether or not to attend graduation. For starters it will cost me about 300 dollars to attend and for my cap and gown. I will also have to wait until the end of summer as this school holds ceremonies twice a year. I did an online program by the way. Im just curious to know if any of you bothered to go to graduation from an online program. Why or why not?

I went to mine and I'll tell you why: When my AAS/ RN graduation rolled around in 1980 I was in the hospital giving birth to my first child. I had been in the hospital for weeks, and was so upset at having to miss.

Fast forward to 2011: You bet your Aunt Fanny I walked across that stage. My four kids, husband, son-in-law and grandson were there as I modeled for them that learning is life-long and terribly important. When I got my MSN, I was selected as a graduation speaker. You can see my speech here if you're so inclined. (

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Oh, and that baby I was birthing? She was born on Florence Nightingale's Birthday/ Nurses' Day (May 12) and grew up to get her own BSN. She's the best darned WOCN I know!

Your speech made me laugh..and made me tear up! I have a very similar story as you (I'm 45 and in my RN to BSN course, 2 children, 1st college graduate in the family).

I actually did my LPN to RN for many reasons but one very big reason...I was having a discussion (0k, it was more of a fight/screaming match) with my oldest who decided she didn't need to nor want to get a college degree, she was 19 at the time. She came back with 'YOU don't have a college degree, why should I get one" And THAT is all I needed to bite the bullet. Much like what you said at the end of your speech..if you (I) can do it, then THEY can too!

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I attended my LPN and RN graduation and you can bet I'll be walking for my RN to BSN! I didn't want to do either graduation but my husband and children (as well as my mother, MIL, and friends) all insisted I go, THEY wanted to see me finally fullfill my dream and take that diploma. They wanted to cheer, hoot and hollar for me. I mentioned to my husband that I thought I might pass on walking for my BSN, and his head nearly turned 360degrees! My youngest yelled 'ohhh YES you are!'. So I guess I am :)

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Your speech made me laugh..and made me tear up! I have a very similar story as you (I'm 45 and in my RN to BSN course, 2 children, 1st college graduate in the family).

I actually did my LPN to RN for many reasons but one very big reason...I was having a discussion (0k, it was more of a fight/screaming match) with my oldest who decided she didn't need to nor want to get a college degree, she was 19 at the time. She came back with 'YOU don't have a college degree, why should I get one" And THAT is all I needed to bite the bullet. Much like what you said at the end of your speech..if you (I) can do it, then THEY can too!

I was also an LPN first!

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I went to mine and I'll tell you why: When my AAS/ RN graduation rolled around in 1980 I was in the hospital giving birth to my first child. I had been in the hospital for weeks, and was so upset at having to miss.

Fast forward to 2011: You bet your Aunt Fanny I walked across that stage. My four kids, husband, son-in-law and grandson were there as I modeled for them that learning is life-long and terribly important. When I got my MSN, I was selected as a graduation speaker. You can see my speech here if you're so inclined. (

)

Oh, and that baby I was birthing? She was born on Florence Nightingale's Birthday/ Nurses' Day (May 12) and grew up to get her own BSN. She's the best darned WOCN I know!

Forget my OP. Beautiful speech. You are such an inspiration!!!!!

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

No because I will graduate, hopefully, in December 2015 so I am not waiting till may to officially graduate. Plus I have already made my family suffer through both of my associate degree graduations, I see no point in making them sit through another one, I'll save it for my masters degree graduation! :roflmao:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
Your speech made me laugh..and made me tear up! I have a very similar story as you (I'm 45 and in my RN to BSN course, 2 children, 1st college graduate in the family).

I actually did my LPN to RN for many reasons but one very big reason...I was having a discussion (0k, it was more of a fight/screaming match) with my oldest who decided she didn't need to nor want to get a college degree, she was 19 at the time. She came back with 'YOU don't have a college degree, why should I get one" And THAT is all I needed to bite the bullet. Much like what you said at the end of your speech..if you (I) can do it, then THEY can too!

Well now.....we never know what words will move us to action. I've been a participant in shouting matches with my own former teens. Reading your post made me realize that my kids (now adults) have never seen any photos of me in a cap-n-gown...because I've never, ever worn one....not even for high school graduation. At my LPN graduation back in 19**;), we were required to remove the pinafores and wear all white dresses, white support hose, white nursing shoes, and our white/striped nursing caps.

I've already explained the situation in a previous post on this thread about the ASN graduation (Excelsior College). But, by golly, your post and meanmaryjean's has persuaded me to attend my graduation in July in Albany, NY! After all, this may be my last opportunity to put on that 'get-up' if I choose not to pursue an MSN, or travel to New York because I've not lost anything up there (so no reason to go). By the way, my RN-BSN degree from Excelsior College officially conferred today!!!

I'll be 50 years old then, but I will be there!!!

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Specializes in Cardiology IR.

I am 51 years old, enrolled in the RN to BSN program through The University of Alabama, about to finish my first semester back in college since 1990. I do plan on participating in the graduation ceremonies - because my youngest child will also graduate from the University of Alabama at the same time and we are graduating together!

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I have been debating. I finish in March-commencement in May. I probably will b/c it will round out the collage of the other three degrees LOL The school is very close to the beach. Good excuse to go :) It is less than a 2 hour drive. I have a good shot of getting Latin honors for the first time. (I was .1 point off for first undergrad and they didn't do Latins for my graduate degree)

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Specializes in TCU, Post-surgical, Infection Prevention.

My graduation will be in May 2016 (God willing I, i finish 12/2015), and we cannot decorate our caps, nor is the event streamed live - so NOPE... Plus, I've walked the stage in an Associates degree ceremony, so I am fulfilled when it comes to that experience.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I will for several reasons, I made much better friends in my RN-BSN program than my ASN program, I am very involved at my school. I want to rock the purple cords!! Also I was asked to be a clinical preceptor after graduation for the community/populations nursing course. I feel very connected to my school and I am the only child to attend college, my mom loves it!

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