Making the Jump..

[JustKeepSmiling, ADN, BSN, RN]

Hey everyone,

I've been frequenting this site for a while now & decided to finally say hello!

By "making the jump" I meant I think I am finally coming to the conclusion to do nursing.

You guys have helped a lot.

There are quite a few different options in New Orleans; Charity ADN, LSU BSN, and OLHCC BSN. I'm leaning towards the LSU BSN because I really like their curriculum and I am interested in pursuing a master's.

I am technically a pre-med student, but the more I think about it, the more I am drawn to nursing. There are a few docs I know that were RN's prior to their MD and they said going back for the MD was easier because they realized that was were they really wanted to be.

When I think about the physician role and the nurse role.. I am more interested in being there for the patient, comfort, assistance, and just being their nurse.

Sure, I could make a great physician, but I just don't see that being as satisfying.

Nurses still make very good money, though that is not of primary concern, I know I want to have a family and want to give my future kids everything and the best education.

I have a wee bit of 15 hours or so of prerequ's left before I can actually attend nursing school, I might do the RN-BSN route if I get into Charity first.

I'm just really glad to have this community to come to & learn from.

Thanks for all the support & input you guys put in, especially to us students, there are too many mistakes for me to make in my own lifetime, I need to learn from others!

Look forward to being a part of allnurses.com!

Natasha

[grandee3]

Welcome Nat, from a fellow nurse in New Orleans (Slidell, post Katrina). I meet a lot of new nurses here that went to Delgado/Charity. LSU is a BSN program, but don't see alot of those grads in area hospitals. Our Lady of the Lake is now on the westbank along with Holy Cross College.

Whatever choice you make, it will be good for the area because we need nurses. I, and many others in the area or boomers and not far away from retirement and I'm afraid there will not be enough new nurses to go around.

When student nurses come to the hospitals (agency nurse here) I noticed that the average age is late 30's or early 40's, people chosing a second career.

Good luck in finding a school of nursing that you are comfortable with. Are you from the city? If you need any help, feel free to ask.

[CHATSDALE]

welcome aboard, they have good programs at the different schools you listed

[ragincajunstudent]

i would definately check out the nclex pass rates for whatever schools you consider. make sure you choose a school that will prepare you to pass, not just to graduate.