Dropping out of my ABSN program to go to community college?

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Hi all, I'm really struggling and looking for any guidance you're willing to lend me.

I'm currently in Q2 of an accelerated BSN program (my first degree is in journalism) and I'm absolutely miserable. I've seriously considered dropping out twice, but I kept pushing because "it's only a year; how bad could it be?" The answer is REALLY BAD. I'm at the point where I'm not sleeping and I cry every single day. My grades are barely passing.

I have a meeting today with my academic advisor to discuss dropping out. My back-up plan is to go back to my hometown and do the associate's degree program, but I'm concerned about being unable to find a job once I graduate from there. I really enjoy nursing; I like my clinicals and I find the work challenging, I just think the accelerated format isn't a great fit for me and I'd do better in a smaller environment.

I've been looking at job listings for the hospitals near me and most say BSN required by 2019 if hired after 2013. I wouldn't even graduate before then. Some only require an RN license, which is somewhat reassuring. I just don't know what to do. I hate my program but I can't afford 4 years of a traditional BSN (I took out a high-interest loan to get into my ABSN, so there's huge financial stress here too), so nothing feels like the right choice to make.

I'm not really sure what my question is. Is there any hope of me getting hired with an associate's degree? Am I making a huge mistake? Thank you all for your time.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Is there any hope of me getting hired with an associate's degree? Am I making a huge mistake?
The answers to your questions depend on two factors: 1. geographic location, and 2. your career goals.

As far as geographic location is concerned, hospitals in many cities/states have BSN-preferred hiring practices and other facilities will not hire new grads who are without the BSN degree. Then again, associate degree RNs are still hired at hospitals in a number of locations.

Nonetheless, people often forget that the almighty acute care hospital is not the only workplace in existence. Associate degree nurses are readily hired in settings outside the hospital such as jail intake centers, nursing homes, assisted living, home health, private duty, hospice, stroke rehabilitation, psychiatric facilities, group homes, adult daycare, and occupational health.

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I'm face-palming at your last point because I didn't even think of that. I even looked into insurance companies at one point so I guess that's an option too.

But to answer your other point, I'm in the Philly/southern NJ area.

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but I can't afford 4 years of a traditional BSN

If you already have a Bachelor's degree you will not be spending 4 more years in a BSN program. It will be 2, or 3 tops. That's what I'm doing. I did not want the stress or the price tag of an ABSN, so I will get a traditional BSN, but I am considered a junior, even though it's my first year.

Another option is to go to community college for ADN, then find a bridge RN to BSN program.

Good luck.

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Does your program have an option to decelerate? The school I will be applying to has such an option. I will, of course, apply to ABSN but if I feel I am not doing well I can switch to a traditional generic 2 years. Look into that. The other thing is, not knowing the cause of your "suffering" I cannot offer a clear-cut advice. I do, however, suggest that you sit down and have a talk with yourself: figure out what is the major cause that is preventing you to do well, have a feeling you are succeeding. I do understand that ABSN is, probably, the hardest thing anyone could have ever done.. But I think once you realize what "is not working" and you fixing it, you can even do well under the circumstances.

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