Frustrated- need advice

[Dreamer15]

Hi everyone... I'm so glad to have found this forum. I hope to get some advice on this dilemna that I've been dealing with lately. I want to be a nurse but I feel like it is almost impossible for me to achieve this dream. After reading so many posts, I am not very hopeful of getting accepted in many programs. Here's the thing: I was accepted into an accelerated BSN program that will begin in Fall of 2007. There are a few drawbacks about attending this particular program. One is that it is out of state so I would have to move across the country. Also, I would almost have to take a $50,000 loan out for tuition and living expenses. Another reason is that I am afraid of how intense the program will be. I heard there was a 40% dropout rate at this particular program. This was one of the two schools I applied to so far and I am so happy to have been accepted but after considering factors such as these, I decided to apply to some local programs. However, from what I hear I don't have a good feeling about getting accepted into any schools here since it seems like the schools in my city are much more competitive. (I know people with 4.0 GPA's that were denied a spot in the programs). I don't have a very good GPA and so far I got rejected to one local school I applied to. So what should I do? I have very little confidence that I will be accepted into a school here but I will continue to try anyway. The only drawback with attending school here is that it will take me 2 full years instead of 1 year (for the accelerated program). BUT... if I do get into a program here I would probably not graduate with as much debt as I would if I go to the accelerated program. So... what would you do if you were me? There are pros and cons with both. I've wasted too much time not living my dream which is to be a nurse already and sometimes I think that I should just focus on just attending the accelerated program but is it worth taking out the big loan?! What should I do? I'm sorry for the long rambling post. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

If I were you I would also BELIEVE I can get into a school I can afford and graduate. IMO if you already think you may drop out or fail out, you will. In addition, if I were you I would retake classes if there is no penalty to raise my GPA.

I know some people who lived in an area that is hard to gain acceptance so they moved to a less competitive area in another state. They worked full-time to live and gain residency. They attended school part-time to improve his/her GPA and were recently accepted into Nursing school. This is something I would consider if I were you and it is feasible.

Lastly, if I were you I would NOT take out a lot of student loans or go into a ton of debt to get through nursing school. Nurses do not get paid well enough to pay off a ton of debt! A few thousand dollars maybe. But most people take out the $20-40,000 for tuition and take out an additional $20,000-30,000 to live on! That is insane!

Especially since you must pay the loans back even if you do not receive a degree or a good income upon graduation. Not to mention, most say he/she will pay off th loans before he/she purchases anything else, but it does not happen. As for reimbursements and bonus programs, they normally only pay $10,000 toward school loan debts, which is paid over a period of 3-5 years ($20,000 if you are lucky).

Just my

[WannaBTraveling]

Moving to another state to go to school is an exciting and scary prospect. If you want to become a nurse, and you are determined then you will do very well. If you are going to listen to everyone else, and allow feelings of doubt then I would save your time and money and forget nursing school.

I am a full-time mother of four, I work outside the home full-time, and I take 6 to 8 units per term (including summer) because my goal and determinations are all revolved around becoming a nurse. Yes, I have had to re-take one class because I didn't get the grade I needed the first time. This is all very frustrating and nerve racking, but if you want something bad enough - GO GET IT!

I have been in school for 2 years now, and I have two years to go before I can even apply to nursing school....and yes I live in a VERY competitive area...so cheer up, think about it, and if you are determined then you will make the right choice.

Just remember - it is ok to be scared and nervous while doing something new or different - just make sure you have your goals in mind before you start!

Good luck!

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

If there's no reason why you can't move, then move. If you're sure you can get the loans to pay the tuition, then I'd be going to the school that accepted me. Getting into nursing school is very difficult these days. If you don't take this opportunity, someone else will. While 40% may drop out of this program, you have to also realize that 60% make it through. If the school is taking you and you say your GPA is not the best, that means that they are also taking other students with lower GPAs. The reason many schools don't even consider students with lower GPAs is because of the ??? that they will be able to keep up with the academic work. This school is obviously willing to give people a chance. Probably because they believe that nursing is more than just showing that you can psych a teacher out an get an "A" on a test. So, do you think you can do it? Are you willing to give it all you can? You could flunk out of a local nursing program as easily as one that is across the country. You'll never know until you get in there and try.

Something else you should know while you are considering options and making plans is that if you aren't able to complete this BSN program, many states allow students who have completed a certain pre-determined amount of RN school to take the LPN NCLEX-PN exam and get an LPN license. That would be helpful in getting any loans paid back, solve a problem of getting work and also be a help in getting back into another RN program at a later time.

Remember that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.