Hang in there!

Bobbye · Jun 8, 2005

I am waiting to write this posting for over 2 years now. I started the Associate Degree Program in 2003, graduated this May and got my RN license yesterday. A couple of years ago, while taking my prerequisites for Nursing I was asking students and nurses around how hard are clinicals, nursing courses and if there is any time for me to take prerequisites for the BSN while in an ADN program.
To my dissapointment I never had any positive answer. "Nursing courses are terrible, take up all your energy, forget about family-sex life, about speding time with kids, don't even think about taking other courses that require studying. Forget about having a life of your own!" This was what I had been told.
Anyway, I am not a super smart person. I am just as good as all of you are. And I manage to take all the prerequisites for BSN, which I am starting in the Fall this year. I had only 7 courses to take, but there were Microbiology, General Chemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Statistics, etc. I took 22 credits in top of Nursing courses, this last semester even having 19 credits, and no time to study for NCLEX.
No, I am not saying was easy, I have a husband and child (I am not working though!), but for those that are determined know that this is possible. Do not listen to what others tell you, what is hard for one person it may be OK for you and viceversa.
I will be working on an ICU unit for a while, starting next week.
I just wanted to encourage everyone to pursue their dreams, take one day at the time and know that every step of the way is worthy! I am far away from having been fulfilled my carrer goals, but I learned that though people can discourage you (even teachers, clinical instructors, or family), never give up!
HANG IN THERE!!!
Good luck to all of you,
flaced

What a breath of fresh air you are!!!!! Good luck to you too... All the patients that you come across will be in good hands. Bobbye

r_janice · Jun 8, 2005

I have a dilemma well maybe not a dilemma but a issue that needs resolution. I am ready to start nursing school (finsihing A&P I &II this summer) and not sure wheter I should just get my associates or take a few extra classes and spend many extra $$$ (that I do not have) to get my BSN. Im only 20, work fulltime, engaged, in the process of buying a house and have a 22 mth old daughter. My first plan was to go through a 2 year program until i found out that the schools accreditation was taken away once because their graduates werent passing the NCLEX. So plan 2 was to enter a 3 year evening program for RN because I work fulltime 730-3 and that made alot more sense than quitting the job I greatly need to go to school during the day. But this morning I was talking to a lady I work with (i work in a psychiatric institution) who is completing her BSN this year. She said since the BSN program is just as long as the RN program I should just take the few extra classes I need and go straight for BSN which is also three years almost four if you include the "few extra classes". After I thought about it it made sense, well not really :uhoh3: I dont understand how a BSn is different from a RN because of a few classes (it doesnt make sense to me tha t a "few classes" change your degree. She mentioned basic classes like Chem II and Statistics. Shouldnt there be more clinical also or is it just academic?). I need some guidance from someone who knows more than I as far as the differences in the two programs. Would it be easier just to go straight through to BSN or is going through the RN to BSN program more beneficial? Someone give me some pros and cons for either argument or something :) Just throw some thoughts my way. I am a youngling and would appreciate any advice for the older more wise crowd (who may have how do they say it "been there done that")

thanks

Janice

flaced · Jun 8, 2005

BSN has the leadership-management nursing type courses included, which have more theory and projects to do. Depending of the program you are in you can have 2-3 classes with clinicals in top of those taken by regular ADN students. Most if not all of the ADN courses have clinicals (here is where you learn the bulk of nursing).

ADN lasts 3 years with the prerequisites, and yes BSN lasts 4-5 total, depends when you are accepted into a program, because it is after 2 years of finishing prerequisites for BSN that you actually apply and if accepted start nursing program.

And yes, a "few classes" change your degree. They do not seem very few to me though since there are about 27 credits of nursing to take in one year in a RN-BSN program.

It may very well be only 1 year difference, but is one year that for some people counts. I imagine is a tough decision to make. Count also the cost of going to school, as the University has much higher tuitions versus community colleges.

Hope this helps a little!

Good luck with your decision.

I have a dilemma well maybe not a dilemma but a issue that needs resolution. I am ready to start nursing school (finsihing A&P I &II this summer) and not sure wheter I should just get my associates or take a few extra classes and spend many extra $$$ (that I do not have) to get my BSN. Im only 20, work fulltime, engaged, in the process of buying a house and have a 22 mth old daughter. My first plan was to go through a 2 year program until i found out that the schools accreditation was taken away once because their graduates werent passing the NCLEX. So plan 2 was to enter a 3 year evening program for RN because I work fulltime 730-3 and that made alot more sense than quitting the job I greatly need to go to school during the day. But this morning I was talking to a lady I work with (i work in a psychiatric institution) who is completing her BSN this year. She said since the BSN program is just as long as the RN program I should just take the few extra classes I need and go straight for BSN which is also three years almost four if you include the "few extra classes". After I thought about it it made sense, well not really I dont understand how a BSn is different from a RN because of a few classes (it doesnt make sense to me tha t a "few classes" change your degree. She mentioned basic classes like Chem II and Statistics. Shouldnt there be more clinical also or is it just academic?). I need some guidance from someone who knows more than I as far as the differences in the two programs. Would it be easier just to go straight through to BSN or is going through the RN to BSN program more beneficial? Someone give me some pros and cons for either argument or something :) Just throw some thoughts my way. I am a youngling and would appreciate any advice for the older more wise crowd (who may have how do they say it "been there done that")
thanks
Janice

Momto3andNurse2B · Jun 8, 2005

flaced,

Thanks so much for your post. Sometimes I do get a little discouraged when I read some of the posts (most of the time, I don't think it's intentional... nevertheless). For the most part, everyone here is tremendously supportive, but some posts are a little scary. I realize nursing school won't be a bowl of cherries, but it's nice to hear a completely positive take on it.

Richele

Momto3andNurse2B · Jun 8, 2005

P.S. Congratulations on your huge accomplishment!

GrnHonu99, RN · Jun 8, 2005

congrats!!! must be nice to finally see that light at the end of the tunnel huh???lol:):):)