I feel like its going to be FOREVER before I become a nurse

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Hey all-

I'm feeling a little discouraged right now. I have three classes that I need to take before being eligible for a local accelerated BSN program (I'm in the midst of the first one right now). I can't take classes this summer because I'm getting married and will be out of town ~ 2 1/2 weeks. I also feel pressure to continue working full-time to help carry my part of the weight. I can't go down to PT at my current job, and would almost certainly take a pay cut going anywhere else. So...that leaves me taking one class at a time until I finish all three classes...approximately a year and a half from now before I can even apply for the program! There's also no guarantee that I'll get into that program, and, for the other accelerated program in the area, I'd need 6 pre-reqs. (as opposed to the three for this program). UGH! I'm 25, and feel like I'm too old for this. My fiancee is supportive, and we could probably live off of what he makes with me having a part time crappily paid job, although it wouldn't be easy. Should we just bite the financial bullet?

I should probably also add that I took on the CPR training for my company, and they just paid $500 to have me trained as an instructor--I'd feel pretty guilty leaving shortly after they made that kind of expenditure.

Thanks for any advice :)

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What are the three classes that you need to take? Maybe you can CLEP out of some of them. Also, check out the summer college courses offered in your area. I know the University I attend has a full summer session and then a summer I and summer II session where your class is typically over 5 or 6 weeks. Maybe something will fit into your schedule. Also check out on-line classes if that is an option. Good Luck!

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What are the three classes that you need to take? Maybe you can CLEP out of some of them. Also, check out the summer college courses offered in your area. I know the University I attend has a full summer session and then a summer I and summer II session where your class is typically over 5 or 6 weeks. Maybe something will fit into your schedule. Also check out on-line classes if that is an option. Good Luck!

Thanks for the info. I'm taking A&P I right now, and then will need A&P II and Micro. (for one program). For the other program I'll also need 2 semesters of chemistry. I'm not familiar with "CLEP"ing....

I don't think summer classes are an option, regardless. My job is pretty strange (basically social work with kids), and I have to keep my schedule pretty open, particularly when the kids are out of school. I also don't think I can work around the 2 1/2 weeks I'll be out of town getting married b/c I'll be gone for 2 weeks getting married, then back for a few weeks, then gone again another 1/2 week for our reception/celebration of our marriage party. Just like alot of things in my life, my wedding is going to be pretty nontraditional.

Are there some good, reputable online institutions that offer the above classes? Is there some way, besides just calling the school, to find out if the school would accept those courses?

Thanks again for the help.

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Ooh I felt the same way. I worked full-time and did prereqs at night, and in my area (north ca.), it is so competitive to get into nursing schools that the average GPA was 3.8 in the school where I ended up going. It took me years to get all the prereqs done, but because I took my time I was able to get A's. Believe me when I say that 25 is young. I just turned 40 and I am by no means the oldest. There are a lot of us in nursing school.

Just keep plugging away and you will get there. Oh and once you get into nursing school you will be saying it feels like its going to be forever before I graduate. And I have a lot less forever time than you... ;) Take care and best of luck to you. Regards, Jean

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Hi WantAccel

believe me i know how you feel. 2 years ago i decided i wanted to change careers and become a nurse. But there was no way I could leave my lucrative job in order to fit in the scheduling of all the pre-reqs (my first degree was in arts so I needed a LOT of prereqs). I decided to go with the online thing. Not all the schools I was interested in would accept them, and some schools gave me a bit of the run around with one person in their office saying they would accept them and another saying they wouldn't. But at 3 schools they would and boy was that worth it for me. I was able to take the classes online in rapid succession and not have to leave my job. I even went away on vacation and was able to bring along my laptop so i could keep on top of the classes. The one issue is that the online often costs much more, but for me i realized that it was worth it for the convenience and because i didn't have to leave my job it worked out that I could afford the more expensive option.

and. . . it worked! cuz i just got into the program of my choice less than 11 months after starting my first pre-req online. i start school in May

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I guess you could check out the distance forum here for more information on taking a CLEP. Since you have to take science courses you may be stuck just waiting until you can fit them in your schedule. I know nothing about this "Excelsior" that people mention there but I found a link below for you to check out. I guess you would have to first see if the school you plan on attending will accept these exams. I would think they would want you to have labs so I don't know.

https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/Excelsior_College_Examinations

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/exams.html

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Hey WantAccel.,

I can relate to your situation. I am also 25, married, and going for my second degree as a nurse (I have my Bachelor's in Education). I was also juggling between different options, as I feel the need to continue working because we are newly married and also new homeowners.

I had the option of doing an Associate Degree Program through a local community college, which had at least a year waiting list (graduate with an ADN), an accelerated BSN program, which I would need 5 prereq. classes for and couldn't even APPLY to until MAY of 2009 (!!), or a diploma program through a local hospital (2 years and graduate with a diploma). The diploma program has 1 prereq. and I can start this fall. I chose the diploma program because I am starting the program 6 months from now, only need one prereq. (which I am taking this summer) AND they have a tuition forgiveness program, so I can basically go to nursing school for free as long as I work at that hospital after I graduate. Also, I am still interested in going back for my BSN, which I can do online while I am working as a nurse. Many, many schools have the RN-BSN bridge program online for working nurses.

Unfortunately, the existence of diploma programs is dwindling. My advice would be to look into any ADN or Diploma programs in your area, because they have very few prereqs. for people who already hold a degree in something. Remember you will still be able to sit for the NCLEX and come out with an RN. You can always go back for your BSN. This might be a better option if you want to graduate quickly and start working sooner. However, keep in mind that no matter what type of program you choose, nursing school is intense and you will not be able to work a lot of hours, if any, during nursing school. Make sure you and your hubby prepare financially for about a year and a half of you not working full time. Hope this helps.

Also, CONGRATS on getting married!!! Good luck in your decisions and try not to stress too much about school. Enjoy this time with your fiance. It goes by waaaay too quickly and trust me, you will miss the wedding planning when it's all over. :redpinkhe

~C~

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Hi, what is a diploma program? Who offers that? Hospitals??

Any info would be great

Thank you :)

Hey WantAccel.,

I can relate to your situation. I am also 25, married, and going for my second degree as a nurse (I have my Bachelor's in Education). I was also juggling between different options, as I feel the need to continue working because we are newly married and also new homeowners.

I had the option of doing an Associate Degree Program through a local community college, which had at least a year waiting list (graduate with an ADN), an accelerated BSN program, which I would need 5 prereq. classes for and couldn't even APPLY to until MAY of 2009 (!!), or a diploma program through a local hospital (2 years and graduate with a diploma). The diploma program has 1 prereq. and I can start this fall. I chose the diploma program because I am starting the program 6 months from now, only need one prereq. (which I am taking this summer) AND they have a tuition forgiveness program, so I can basically go to nursing school for free as long as I work at that hospital after I graduate. Also, I am still interested in going back for my BSN, which I can do online while I am working as a nurse. Many, many schools have the RN-BSN bridge program online for working nurses.

Unfortunately, the existence of diploma programs is dwindling. My advice would be to look into any ADN or Diploma programs in your area, because they have very few prereqs. for people who already hold a degree in something. Remember you will still be able to sit for the NCLEX and come out with an RN. You can always go back for your BSN. This might be a better option if you want to graduate quickly and start working sooner. However, keep in mind that no matter what type of program you choose, nursing school is intense and you will not be able to work a lot of hours, if any, during nursing school. Make sure you and your hubby prepare financially for about a year and a half of you not working full time. Hope this helps.

Also, CONGRATS on getting married!!! Good luck in your decisions and try not to stress too much about school. Enjoy this time with your fiance. It goes by waaaay too quickly and trust me, you will miss the wedding planning when it's all over. :redpinkhe

~C~

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snobunny,

A diploma program is usually associated with a hospital, which combines classroom and clinical instruction (clinicals begin in the hospital facility immediately, which is something I really like about this program). It usually takes about two years to complete; three including non-nursing classes (basic english, biology, sociology, etc). The nursing classes within a diploma program do not count as college credits, however, you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX (licensing) test upon completion of graduation. Once an RN, you also have the option of going back and taking classes (usually at a university) to obtain your BSN within a year or two while you are working as a nurse. There is usually no pay difference between nurses who have their ASN, Diploma, or BSN. But you will need your BSN if you would like to work in management or to go back to school to study a specialty (for example, to become a Nurse Practitioner in women's health). Hope this helps. Good luck ;)

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Bariatrics.
Hi, what is a diploma program? Who offers that? Hospitals??

Any info would be great

Thank you :)

I am also in a diploma program (the only one in my state) and you get a lot of clinical time, which is nice. It does take 2 years once in the program, longer for pre-req's. The school I am in only required English Comp, Psychology and Sociology but pushed having A&P done as well. They are a very well known school in my state and I know of many nurses that have graduated from this diploma type of school. At least in my area it was easier to get into as they dont have waiting lists, they take the top 60 applicants twice a year, those who dont make it have to apply again.

I applied for Fall 2007 but didn't make the cut off date so they rolled me into Spring 2008. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Bariatrics.

I wanted to add too that our non nursing courses can be transfered because they are University courses taught at the school by University instructors, so on our transcripts they show as U credit. Plus, I've known a few RN's who graduated from my school that didn't have any problems going into a BSN program.

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Hmmmmm.....Just wondering if they have something like that in Texas...Probably not, they are soooo strict with everything.

I would have loved to find out about the diploma program close by, guess I will research it.

Thank you all for the info, you learn something new everyday, lol :) :):bow:

I am also in a diploma program (the only one in my state) and you get a lot of clinical time, which is nice. It does take 2 years once in the program, longer for pre-req's. The school I am in only required English Comp, Psychology and Sociology but pushed having A&P done as well. They are a very well known school in my state and I know of many nurses that have graduated from this diploma type of school. At least in my area it was easier to get into as they dont have waiting lists, they take the top 60 applicants twice a year, those who dont make it have to apply again.

I applied for Fall 2007 but didn't make the cut off date so they rolled me into Spring 2008. Good Luck!

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