I think we need a second degree student section...

Published

Does anyone else agree?

I feel like the specific questions posted by second degree students trying to enter the field of nursing merits a separate section.

Then we can all gripe about things like:

How in debt we already are from our previous degrees (OUCH!)...

How to pay for nursing school when you don't qualify for more loans...

The ADN vs BSN debate when you already have the undergrad degree...

Our previous careers/degree before pursuing nursing...

Posts from other 2nd degree students who have gone through all this...

Accelerate programs for people w/ a degree in another field...

etc,etc...

I just think it might be nice to have this all in one place.

How do you request a new forum?

Does anyone else think this is a good idea?

Take care!:redbeathe

Specializes in GYN/GON/Med-Surg/Oncology/Tele.
Fortunately I have no students loans but I am really concerned about job availability in the OT field and the pay as well. I know nursing would be shorter, pays well and the jobs ate many. But I am not sure I can handle nursing--the hours, stress etc.

A coworker told me that the hospital I work at pays $24/hr for OT's

I have a BA in Elementary Education and while I love teaching, I've had trouble finding a job where I live. There's a shortage of positions in my area.

Anyhow, I wish when I graduated in '05 I had gone ahead and started pursuing my ADN-RN. I could've been finished with it by now. :(

Specializes in Trauma/Burn ICU, Neuro ICU.

Hi Cassie,

The requirement is 3.0 or better. I think they put a lot of stock in the 3 essays you write. They're very short: One is 500 words, and the other two are 250 words.

Here is a link to the requirements:

http://www.nursing.umich.edu/admissions/secondcareer/entranceReq.html

Here is a link for resume/portfolio stuff:

http://www.nursing.umich.edu/studentresources/resumes/index.html

Call the office for the next info session date.

Phone: (734) 763-5985

Good luck.

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
A coworker told me that the hospital I work at pays $24/hr for OT's

OT's in home care agency's in Philly make about $45.00/visit and usually see 6-8 pts per day. OT and PT are high demand in our area. Great careers if nursing doesn't attract you!

I have just been accepted to the University of Michigan's 2nd degree BSN program and I have also been accepted to Schoocraft's ADN-RN program in Fall 2008. I am so nervous about which program to chose. I think that U of M is a great school, and it is a great opportunity to be able to finish a BSN degree in 12 months. However, the cost is so much higher than Schoolcraft's program, and I don't believe that I can work while doing the accelerated program (I still have a mortgage to pay). Does anybody have any information on these two programs? How hard is U of M's 12 month accelertaed program? Is it worth the expense to earn a bachelor's degree from U of M in one year? I would appreciate any opinions--I don't have to much time left to decide. Thanks!

Specializes in Trauma/Burn ICU, Neuro ICU.

Hi lsj430,

I am starting UM's accelerated program in Sep. PM me for any info. I am very excited about it. I have lots of good things to tell you about UM's program. Would you be starting this September?

regards, Susan K

Hello Everyone

I would like to say congratulations to everyone that has been excepted into the nursing program of their choice. I found out a month ago that I got accepted into WSU. They are kind of expensive also. Isj430 U of M financial aid office should be able to help you find some scholorships and loans if you decide to attend their school. Good luck everyone

Best Regards,

Missmissy

I'm also a second degree student (well actually third if you count my master's). How did you all decide between a BSN and an ADN? An ADN and the BSN would take me roughly the same amount of time, the BSN may take me one semester longer (2.5 years). I'm not sure yet, since the school is notorious for making second degree students take silly classes like Intro to Computer and Religion (private religious college). The ADN would be a lot cheaper, but eventually I'd like to become an NP and wondered if I should just bite the bullet and go for the BSN now. Any suggestions?

Does anyone else agree?

I feel like the specific questions posted by second degree students trying to enter the field of nursing merits a separate section.

Then we can all gripe about things like:

How in debt we already are from our previous degrees (OUCH!)...

How to pay for nursing school when you don't qualify for more loans...

The ADN vs BSN debate when you already have the undergrad degree...

Our previous careers/degree before pursuing nursing...

Posts from other 2nd degree students who have gone through all this...

Accelerate programs for people w/ a degree in another field...

etc,etc...

I just think it might be nice to have this all in one place.

How do you request a new forum?

Does anyone else think this is a good idea?

Take care!:redbeathe

I disagree because 2nd degree people should be grateful if they get accepted in a RN program,i believe some are in it for wrong reasons,otherwise they would have chosen nuring first.I think we should keep it simple and move forward. BEST OF LUCK!!:paw::paw:

I disagree because 2nd degree people should be grateful if they get accepted in a RN program,i believe some are in it for wrong reasons,otherwise they would have chosen nuring first.I think we should keep it simple and move forward. BEST OF LUCK!!:paw::paw:

ANYONE should be grateful to get accepted into a RN program...not just a second degree student. I don't think we should sit in judgement about someone who decides to change. Everyone has his or her own reason for doing so. I am a second degree student...and I am taking nursing in order to work in the field of mental health nursng. My first degree, social work, gave me a good enough idea of the mental heath field and some great and necessary people skills that I know it's what I want to do, but the actual nursing is what I want. I don't plan on sitting behind a desk telling someone about what kind of life changes they need to consider...I want to be more hands-on than that.

Specializes in GYN/GON/Med-Surg/Oncology/Tele.
I disagree because 2nd degree people should be grateful if they get accepted in a RN program,i believe some are in it for wrong reasons,otherwise they would have chosen nuring first.I think we should keep it simple and move forward. BEST OF LUCK!!:paw::paw:

I think you misunderstood the question. The reason for wanting a separate section for 2nd degree students isn't because we're ungrateful if we're accepted but because we have to go through things that 1st degree nursing students don't.

A lot of us aren't eligible for financial aid, grants, some of us don't have to take the same required classes as 1st degree students and so forth.

As far as 2nd degree students being in it for the wrong reason...check out some of the posts on how many students were lost in a specific nursing program and you'd see that regardless of your level of education, some people find nursing too difficult or maybe in the middle of the program realize it isn't for them.

How many people really know what they want to do when they leave for school. Seriously...I wanted to do something in the medical field ever since I was in the 4th grade, but when I left for school, I wasn't motivated. So I chose a different field. If it were that simple, then everyone who isn't accepted in the nursing field their first go around would stay in school and take b/s classes well beyond their graduation date trying year after year to get accepted. Unfortunately you can't do that. So you're somewhat forced to choose a related field, graduate and then go back to school and maybe apply to one of the many 2nd degree programs out there.

Specializes in SRNA.
I disagree because 2nd degree people should be grateful if they get accepted in a RN program,i believe some are in it for wrong reasons,otherwise they would have chosen nuring first.

:chuckle

That's the funniest thing I've heard all day....yes I'm grateful I was accepted into my program, and I fought very hard for my position. So you're tell us you've never changed your mind about your direction in life? Have you considered the fact that those of us who have prior education and life experiences bring some benefit and maturity to our nursing cohorts that some of those straight out of high school cannot?

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