Help deciding on a program

That is really a long time to wait to enter a nursing program. I was in a similar situation. I graduated from high school when I was 16 years old and could have went to a 4 year university. I had finished a Certified Nursing Assistant program (CNA) bottom of the nursing food chain. I knew nursing was my passion. After CNA I did the LVN CNA to LVN program. But, I found out even with that their was a 2 year waiting list at my local community college. So, this forced me to attend a school that was triple the price in which it had a LVN to RN program. At the time I regretted the price of attended this Junior College/Vocational School. I got my RN but wanted to attend the BSN at a state university. But could not because of once again a wait list. My luck was ever so great because I went to a Christian University that offered a RN to BSN program. Again, I was being triple the price as compared to a state university. But it was the best choice I have ever made attending these expensive school. Eventually, I got my Nurse Practitioner or Masters' in Nursing from a state school. So I would say if you have that passion for nursing why not pay the triple the price. You said that you still wanted to help people out. Why not volunteer at a hospital while your studying. The skies the limit when it comes to problems!

So what other programs are in the area and what are their wait lists? I think the total cost for the program I am in is around 20 grand for six semesters over 3 years which is probably about double what the CC programs run, equal to some of the 4 year schools and maybe about half of the for profit schools. On the plus side, I didnt have a wait to get in, though that has changed some over the last year from what I hear.

Besides the wait, the other consideration is what types of grads are they hiring in your area? From what I read here, in places like Philly, they are going for mostly BSN grads, so maybe a associates or diploma isnt so great an idea. In general, if you go with a hospital based program, you should have at least an even chance of getting a job in that system afterward.

In the mean time, you could possibly look to becoming an EMT, maybe on a volunteer squad. That type of experience would be invaluable, especially in a critical care setting. Good luck

I would look into all options in your area, you could possibly transfer all your credits to a 4 year school and just go straight for your BSN. There is also the option of a private for profit institution. That is what I did, yes it's a bit more expensive, but I didn't have to wait at all. I finished LPN in less than a year and I have already started the ADN completion with no wait in between. I had a one week break between LPN and starting RN.

Just something different things to think about.

Good luck on your journey and keep moving forward.

I am in an accelerated BSN program. The program takes a year to complete and there is no waiting list. You have missed the deadline for this year and would only have to wait a year before starting, but you will finish in a year. Are you willing to relocate?