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Discussion

Going back to nursing school

In 2011, right after graduating from high school, I started at a local nursing school. That is all I wanted to do at the time, and I really enjoyed school in the beginning. I passed with flying colors, enjoyed working with the patients, etc. I had great experiences with my instructors, but many of the other people in my cohort had a lot of issues. They had horrible instructors, were not doing well on tests, had write ups, etc.

Towards the end of my first semester and during my winter break I started to freak out about getting a horrible instructor or flunking out of school even though I was doing relatively well. I made a last minute decision to transfer universities to a completely unrelated degree program.

Now I think about my decision all the time. Why did I transfer? I still have that itch to go back to nursing school, but I'm worried about psyching myself out again. I'm also worried about my family and friends doubting me since I left nursing school the first time. I just feel dumb for having ever left because it was the only thing I felt truly passionate about. I just keep thinking that I would have been a nurse for almost 2 years by this point and would be finishing my BSN in the spring.

Has anyone else left nursing school only to return? I would obviously finish my current bachelors since I only have one semester left, but I don't know if I should reapply for the nursing program after that.

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    You might want to take a year off after you get your degree -- maybe work in a health-related field and/or volunteer with a hospital or hospice or something similar just to make sure that you really are interested in nursing.

    I know it may seem like a long time to wait another year, but you're still young. My advice is to try and be sure that you're on the right path before jumping into more schooling. Of course this is coming from someone who's thinking about starting on her 3rd new career path (assuming being a slacker/underemployed counts as an initial career path), so take it for what it's worth.

    Are you getting a bachelor's degree? If so and you decide you do want to be a nurse, you could do an ABN and get your BN relatively quickly.

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    I am currently working towards my BA, and my current school does offer an advance to BSN program for people who hold a bachelors degree. They only accept 30 students per year to the program, so I am worried about trying to get in since the nursing program is so popular. I'm considering returning to my prior nursing school. I've just contacted the admissions office to see what I should do in my situation. I may have to just work on updating pre-reqs and such before I can officially start again, but I'll have to see what the admissions office says. I'm also hoping to find a position as an aide or something in the meantime. Maybe I'll do the CNA program at our local retirement community once I graduate or during my winter break.

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    First of all, finish your current degree. To an administrator, you have a history of not finishing, and if you ditch your BA for nursing school, you only solidify that reputation.

    I started nursing school at 19. However, I had the opportunity to finish out my college athletic career elsewhere, so I did so. I double majored in English and Biology. When I closed that chapter of my life, I began looking for 2nd degree programs. You'd be surprised how few people use this option to begin with, but also don't have a clue it exists. You'll be fine with 30 spots available.

    Nursing schools love 2nd degree students, because they are usually older and more mature (generally). The commitment to finish one degree usually correlates into a higher chance of completing nursing school.

    However, you need to finish your current degree. A finished degree in underwater basket weaving still trumps an unfinished degree in rocket scientistry.

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