Hello! and a Q

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Hello everyone! This is my first official post at all nurses, but I've been lurking for a while ;)

Let's see...I'm Lisa. I'm 26 and married with 2 little girls. We just moved back to OK, but my husband and I grew up here.

I'm a potential nursing student. I already have a BS in Chemical Engineering from OU but I need a career change. I have always deep down wanted to do nursing, but before I was ready I needed more life experiece (at least that's what I keep telling myself when I start to feel guilty about all the wasted time and effort on my other degree!)

I'm thinking that I'll go the ADN route first. Since I live in the metro I've been looking at OCCC.

Does anyone have any advice for me? I've been out of school for 4 years and I'm a little nervous to go back. But to be honest, I haven't been this excited about anything since my daughters were born

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Hi there Lucky,

Here is just a thought...Why not get your BSN from Oklahoma City University. They have a program there for people who already have an undergraduate degree and are wanting to change professions. I believe the school time is about 18 months.

So check it out, Oklahoma City University and the Kramer School of Nursing.

Wish you the best...

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

Since you already have a bachelors degree you should look into one of the fast track BSN programs. OU offers an acceletrated bachelors in nursing as well as a OCU and I think a couple others. You can get your BSN in a little over a year.

Good luck!

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I have thought about those programs, and I haven't ruled them out yet. I have a couple of concrens though. Maybe someone can help me with those?

1. Cost! Since I already have a BS degree, I'm not eligible for any grants. I've been checking out different scholarships, and most of them that I can find require that you have finished 1 year of nursing school first. Which is great, but won't really help me in a shorter program. My husband and I already have a lot of student loans from his education, so I don't want to get too much more debt if I can help it.

2. Time! I'd prefer to start working as soon as possible. Most accelerated BSN programs I've found require approx. 18 months, but I have to do my pre-reqs first so it'll probably be 2 1/2 or 3 years start to finish I still need A&P (or A and P separately if I choose OU), psych, developmental psych, microbiology, and maybe one other depending on the program.

3. Work/Life Balance. I have 2 young children and I'm concerned that an accelerated BSN program may be too difficult to manage with my little ones.

Is it unreasonable to expect to have a satisfying nursing career with only the ADN degree? I could always go back and do a ADN-BSN program, or maybe even an MSN program later if I change my mind.

If anyone has any insight, please speak up. I'd love to get advice from those who have already been through this ;)

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Specializes in Level III cardiac/telemetry.

Well, my thought on the money issue would be to try getting a job as an aide at a hospital. The hospital I'm at pays a $7000 scholarship/tuition reimbursement for a BSN or $5000 for ADN so you could get help either way. I found this info for Mercy tuition reimbursement http://www.mercyok.com/jobs/mhc/Scholarship_Program_Application.pdf

this is for Baptist http://www.integris-health.com/INTEGRIS/en-US/Careers/CareerOptions/educationAssistance.htm

I know there are others, but maybe that would give you an idea. I have learned so much by working as an aide and know those skills will be with me forever. It's also a good way to make sure nursing is what you want to do. I know that 5000 or even 8000 wouldn't cover all of the accellerated program at OCU, but it would definately help! I just know that everyone I've talked to has told me that they wish they could have gone straight for their BSN because it opens up more career ladder opportunities. And perhaps if you aren't needing the extra money right now you could take the money you make working as an aide and save it back for school or use it for your prereqs? Just a thought! I know it's a big decision and good luck with whatever you decide!

Lana

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I have thought about those programs, and I haven't ruled them out yet. I have a couple of concrens though. Maybe someone can help me with those?

1. Cost! Since I already have a BS degree, I'm not eligible for any grants. I've been checking out different scholarships, and most of them that I can find require that you have finished 1 year of nursing school first. Which is great, but won't really help me in a shorter program. My husband and I already have a lot of student loans from his education, so I don't want to get too much more debt if I can help it.

2. Time! I'd prefer to start working as soon as possible. Most accelerated BSN programs I've found require approx. 18 months, but I have to do my pre-reqs first so it'll probably be 2 1/2 or 3 years start to finish I still need A&P (or A and P separately if I choose OU), psych, developmental psych, microbiology, and maybe one other depending on the program.

3. Work/Life Balance. I have 2 young children and I'm concerned that an accelerated BSN program may be too difficult to manage with my little ones.

Is it unreasonable to expect to have a satisfying nursing career with only the ADN degree? I could always go back and do a ADN-BSN program, or maybe even an MSN program later if I change my mind.

If anyone has any insight, please speak up. I'd love to get advice from those who have already been through this ;)

Hi Lisa - welcome back to OK!

Your points about costs, time, and having a life are totally valid and I don't think it is at all unreasonable to expect that you can have a satisfying and rewarding career with an ADN. I do agree with Lana that you may have more opportunities available to you with a BSN, but some would probably argue that point so... until I actually graduate I just don't know for sure. =)

You might want to consider applying to both ADN and accelerated programs just to see what happens - with your engineering degree you are probably a lot more competitive than most, but admission is pretty competitive these days.

Cost - check out the links Lana posted. Mercy offers a great scholarship and that would at least be a good option to you for the 2nd half of a program. And, you might want to call and clarify what they mean by "Must have completed the first half of accredited hours in a nursing program" - it may mean that if you're in a BSN program, that you need to be halfway through the entire program, not just the nursing portion of the program? I have no idea, but just a thought. Also, I can only speak about OCU since that is where I go, but they have generous scholarships and grant programs for B-BSN students. The tuition is high, but I got over $4000 in scholarship money this semester so that helps. Also, once you have completed your first semester you can work as a student nurse at local hospitals for about $10/hr. Not that you'd have a lot of time...

Time - Again, I'm only familiar w/ OCU. Their accelerated B-BSN program is 16 months. Their pre-reqs are: A&P, microbiology, psychology (and chemistry, but obviously you have that covered!). So, realistically you could finish in less than 2 years.

Having a Life - I don't have much to offer in this area since I am in the traditional BSN program and don't have children yet. I know that the accelerated programs are pretty intense... but I think that this is the sort of thing that only you can determine for yourself.

Anyhow, hope that helps a little - good luck to you!

~teebee~

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Thank you for your suggestions!

I'm still not really any closer to a final decision, but I keep thinking that the ADN route will probably be easier to manage w/my family life.

Lana - Thanks for the links! I had already seen the one from Mercy, but not the other one. Working as a CNA first would be a great idea if I wouldn't lose money by the high rate I'd have to pay to put 2 in daycare. *If* I could find time to work and go to school, I might as well work using my current degree because I'd certainly make a lot more money! I'm going to try not to though, because I would rather spend more time studying.

teebee - Does OCU really admit everyone who meets the guidlines? How does that work? I read about it on their website but it was a little confusing to me. Some of the wording made it seem like everyone doesn't really get in.

Just an interesting note, OU will let students enter the MSN program with a BS other than BSN as long as you make up the deficiencies in your first 2 semesters....assuming of course, that you can get in :uhoh3:

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Hi Lisa - yep, as far as I know, OCU will admit whomever meets their requirements. I know that there is that "eligibility statement" on the website... I'm not sure what that's about though. Maybe it's just their way of having an "out" if they feel someone is truly not cut out for nursing and may be clinically unsafe, yet isn't failing any classes? Or someone doesn't pass a background check? I dunno. Anyhow, I'm not really sure how it works, but the school has such a small enrollment overall that there is certainly room to grow and I guess that as long as they can find classroom space and qualified faculty...?

Well, keep us posted on what you decide. I think you're probably right about leaning towards the ADN program since you've got 2 little ones. I think that with all of the non-traditional students/2nd career people going back to school for nursing, schools need to consider day care centers on campus.

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