Grand Canyon RN-BSN

proud nurse, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2014

No extra pay here either, in fact on my staff of 15 nurses, there’s only one MSN and the rest are ADNs or diploma (including the manager). I did it because I wanted to, like tokom for personal satisfaction. And like proudnurse, when ppl ask why the heck I’m putting myself through this with no raise, they think I’m off my rocker. My incentive is my own, I don’t need extra cash (would be nice, but that’s not my motivation). I’m nearing the big 5-0 as well, but my math tells me I have another 15-20 years or so, and I’ve said this before but I’ll repeat for emphasis: Maybe my job or company goes up in flames (figuratively speaking), and I unexpectedly find myself out on the job hunt. Ain’t NO 21 year old with a BSN gonna get MY slot simply because of those dang little letters! Recruiters and HR personnel are literally passing by anything less than a BSN these days, some of the computer-weed-out programs delete our resumes before they ever get to a human, so my 20+ years of experience would be overlooked for little Susie’s BSN? NOPE. I truly believe facilities are making incorrect choices based on pressure, but that’s just my opinion. If I were a patient I’d rather have Gretta, the 62 yr old ADN with 40 years of knowledge and experience under her belt than Susie, the 21 yr old fresh-faced BSN, but that’s not how it is anymore and certainly will get worse in the future (IOM, 2010 LOL).
I hear ya about your personal circumstances right now, but that is only right now. One never knows if/when their company/facility is in financial straits and has to make tough choices, and you being fairly new staff, you may be in the first round of layoffs, and then you’re out there competing with the Susies. It’s only a year, think of it as an investment in yourself – not your (current) job. Yes, they should pay us more, but they don’t. So my rationale for this madness is:
* Personal satisfaction (yay me!)
* It’s about the same price as a couple vacations (to Bora Bora), and lasts longer
* It’s only a year, and a year from now I can either be an ADN (still), or a BSN, the time is gonna go by anyway
* Acknowledgement from my peers (now and later) that I went the extra mile when I didn’t have to, and that says something about me
* Protection from the Susies in my future

Awesome post, Prism. You hit on a lot of great points. This is sounding like a DQ response, lol.

I have had some of the nicest things said about me since starting and finishing the program by my leaders/managers/peers. Whether they mean them whole-heartedly or are just trying to be nice, it has meant a lot to me that they were encouraging and positive.

rainyn · Dec 24, 2014

For those that pay out of pocket, how does it work as far as how often you need to take classes to be considered maintaining enrollment?

I'm considering quitting the financial aid aspect and paying as I go instead. Most likely it would require me saving up for 3 months and then taking a class, than saving up again. I wonder if GCU would accept enrollment like that. Plus I'm thinking that would drop me below half time and I would have to start paying back my current student loans, while saving up for my next class. Something I would need to take into consideration.

This idea is so appealing to me because I am beyond burnt out and totally miserable right now. I've been in school close to or at full time for over 5 years straight. Taking a few months off, then taking a class, then taking a few more off sounds so enjoyable, and l think i would enjoy the classes more. Right now I'm just going through the motions to complete the work, but I'm completely uninterested in all of the classes and material.

I would rather take 2 years to finish my last 6 classes and enjoy life, than get it done in a year and be hating life.

PrismRN · Dec 24, 2014

I pay out of pocket. The breaks you are speaking of can only be up to 60 days, and it's not really a "break", they call it a leave of absence, and you have to apply for it (they can either grant it or not, not sure what their decision-making criteria is). Oh, and you can only have 2 LOAs in a year - otherwise you're considered "withdrawn" from the University. I don't know if that means you have to reapply or not? I took one 2 month LOA, and for me personally, it wasn't a good idea. If I hadn't, I'd be done right now, sippin' a celebratory cocktail with tokmom, pandora, JRich, PurpleMyst, sunshinedaisy, proudnurse and others I may have forgotten this year (sorry!). I understand your burned-outness, that's a LOT of school in 5 years. I hit that wall at exactly 6 classes, at the end of Research I took 2 months off then started back again. In the first 6 classes I was taking 2 week breaks in between each, but for these last 6 I'm just jammin them out. I'm tired, but I want it done. I would talk to your advisor and ask for the real deal on how long you can take between classes, I thought it was only 2 wks (except for the LOAs). Be prepared for them to try and talk you out of it though, when I tried to take my LOA my advisor kind of freaked. They're afraid you won't come back. Good luck, it's a tough decision but you need to do what's best for you :nurse: we would miss you :cry:

Winterwhite28 · Dec 24, 2014

Rob, someday your manager or director might quit, and your BSN might be what propels you to that position with a much higher wage. From one who has been a nurse for "a while", stick it out. I am doing it for personal satisfaction, there is no raise at the end of this for me, but the writing is on the wall, if you want to be the future LPN...

Winterwhite28 · Dec 24, 2014

Rainyn, I hope you stick with it. I was so disgusted with school at where you are at right now. I took 3 weeks off, now I'm trying to make that up by overlapping classes just to get it done. When I was in a class and had 5 classes pending, it hit me that I was close. Now with 4 pending I'm overlapping just to get them done. There is something about that 6th class. I felt like it was coming off of Stats (which I didn't care for), right into Research (which was somewhat dry, repetitive- did that to myself by focusing on my capstone articles). But Spirit is a nice break. I hope you are encouraged! I do not know how they will handle you taking a class here or there, I think that they will work with you. HTH!

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Dec 24, 2014

I pay out of pocket...I took off from End of April to November, because we were between my wifes assignments, and I just wanted to chill,lol I lost my 10% discount because of the extended break. I'm was in no hurry to finish--as I don't work, but now wished I had just sucked it up and was done with it,lol I'm sure if you talk with ur academic rep, they can tell you the official rules, little different if u are paying out of pocket

proud nurse, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2014

Unless school is causing a financial burden or problems with your health, I would encourage anyone to press forward and get this done. I received some tuition reimbursement and a corporate discount from a partnership GCU has with my employer. The rest I have in student loans which I'm not looking forward to paying back.

This is a rollercoaster ride, and this program asks a lot from us. I can understand the frustration. But the relief that is felt after each class is completed is only a small treat compared to how you will feel when the journey is over. I remember when I was in Patho, and sooooo exhausted with only 3 classes to go...I told my husband I was going to take a break for a month or so. He said, "girl, you'd better finish what you started and suck it up" (so loving and tender).

We didn't get to this stage in our lives without knowing the feeling of accomplishment. We know it feels great to have something behind us, looking ahead to the next thing. But it's good to have options, mull over some things, and have a plan. Sometimes we have to take the time we need, so we can come back stronger than ever.

PrismRN · Dec 24, 2014

Wowwww proudnurse, will you write my capstone for meeee pretty please?? THAT WAS AWESOME :bowingpur:

I had to laugh at what your husband said: "girl, you'd better finish what you started and suck it up" (so loving and tender).

Mine did the same thing, here's how that went:

Him: "Soooo, tell me again how all this time off is benefiting you, exactly?"

Me: "I'm allowing my gelatinous brain to reform"

Him: "By watching an Andy Griffith marathon?"

Me: Crap.

proud nurse, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2014

Awww, thanks Prism. Lol @ Andy Griffith marathon. Won't get a brain reformation with that show. But I like the mindless silly stuff as a diversion.

We can work on the crapstone together, start researching your 15 articles now and I'll wait for you. Lol, and when you get to the class, just let me know.

tokmom, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2014

The glorious crapstone...It will be a paper you will be proud of. Makes the entire program worth all the gray hair and anxiety. All of you will get there and I can't wait!!

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Enjoy the family, and take a moment for yourself to catch your breath and rejoice in the season. :)

:santa::stocking::angel::cookies:

PrismRN · Dec 25, 2014

Hi All,

I wanted to take a moment to send out warm thoughts to you all, wishing a very merry Christmas to you and your families. I know this isn’t Thanksgiving, but I’m going to say it anyway! I’m thankful for all of your insight, help, talking me off my occasional ledge, humor, and most of all the invaluable support I feel from this select little group of people I have never even met, yet feel close to. This would be a completely different experience for me had it not been for all of you. Most grateful of course to tokmom (BSN!) who started this adventure a couple of years ago, saw it through, got her prize, yet still manages to check in every day to see how we are all doing and lend her wisdom. That, my friends, is a genuine leader. May you all have a very special and blessed Christmas!

2Q==

Winterwhite28 · Dec 25, 2014

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

(The red is me hemorrhaging from my latest paper, I knew it was bound to happen sometime. My dad got sick, is refusing to take his blood thinner he's a high risk and I can't talk him into it, and my husband's job was eliminated. With all of that I handed in a paper that I had cut and didn't proofread to put back in a couple of steps =(...and I got the grade before we went to celebrate Christmas with my folks, I'm having a major pity party...). Ok that is over.

I too am so thankful to be able to come here and just let it all out. I'm still bummed about the paper but at least I've some great people to talk to about it!

And it has started to snow, so it will be a white Christmas. Fa la la la la la la la