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:
The reason for proposing a 2nd degree forum is because for most of us, entering a new career is far from simple and 2nd degree students have a very unique sub-set of circumstances that are just not the same for people who choose nursing first. This forum is in the PRE-nursing section, meaning most of us are stuggling with how best to go about getting into nursing school as returning students...while balancing the rest of our lives. Of course, it's also open to 2nd degree students who are already in nursing programs. I'm sure those 2nd degree students already in nursing programs are VERY grateful they got into nursing school, especially considering the myriad challenging factors many 2nd degree students face above and beyond the current rigors of getting into a program.
I was at an intro to nursing class today, and they had a panel of nursing students and graduates from our local ADN program. It was really interesting to hear their stories. Many of them were 2nd degree students, and they talked at length about all the intricate strategizing and considerations that have to be made when managing: kids, spouses, student loans, working while in school, running a business while in school, losing the income from your first career, returning to school when your almost 50 years old, finding time for yourself, being a single parent, struggling with finances...etc, etc, etc...
2nd degree students have an entire spectrum of situations that are unique. Just reading through this thread illustrates how far from simple it is.
Further, it is extremely short-sighted to claim that students who choose nursing as a first career are somehow more true or comitted to the profession. I have read far too many posts from "1st career" nurses who are now leaving, to think that chosing nursing first is all that significant. I'm of the opinion that if you enter the profession of nursing for the "wrong reasons", then you probably won't make it very long in the field...whether your choose it as your 1st, 2nd, or 9th career. I had a history teacher in high school who told us that the average person changes their career 5 times in their lifetime, and that by the time we would be entering the workforce that number would probably be higher. She was absolutely right! I know scientists who became lawyers, and psych majors who became business execs, and Phd's who went to divinity school. I definately didn't know what I wanted to do with my life when I was an 18 year old senior in high school...I thought I knew, but life and experience and maturity sent me in a different direction...in fact, it sent me in many different directions.
One of the panel members today, who is halfway through her nursing program, received her BS from UC Berkeley in Neurobiology and was on a pre-med track...but she fell in love, and had a baby instead of becoming a doctor. For six years, she was a stay at home mom and when her daughter started school, she realized that she still wanted to work in healthcare but that nursing was a much better fit for her and her family comittments.
I think this illustrates that life is not simple, and our plans don't always turn out the way we imagine. As a pre-nursing & 2nd degree student, I really enjoy hearing the stories of other aspiring nurses like me. I take great comfort in what everyone shares on this thread, and appreciate the support this online community offers.
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:
If I had been prepared to choose the exact direction and path for my life at 18 when I first started college, I would have done A LOT of things differently...not just my degree of choice. Regardless of the fact that I've now chosen a different path, I learned a lot from my first degree and plan on using every applicable part of it to the best of my ability. I will be the most grateful person on the dang PLANET if I get into an RN program and get to pursue my dream, so please don't try to say that we second degreers don't know how to appreciate what we've been given. I fought tooth and nail to get where I am and will continue to do so until the day when I have those precious letters behind my name. If wanting to have a fantastic, interesting, rewarding, challenging career that revolves around helping people in their time of need is the "wrong" reason to choose nursing, then I don't know what the "right" reason is.
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?
I guess I shouldn't let my feelings be hurt by the negative post-I know I am very lucky to be entering NS this fall. I am 39yo, married for 19 yrs, mom to 2 kiddos (8,11) and a second degree student. My first run thru college got me a BS and a lot of debt. Through my life experience thus far I have gained a different perspective than I had at 18. I don't regret not following this path earlier-I realize now that it was meant to be this way. I don't think anyone has 1 big motivation in changing careers or gaining a 2nd degree. For me-I've always wanted to work in healthcare, I like teaching, helping people, and a job that is challenging. The flexibility and security in having an RN is a big plus. The poster that questions our motivation will someday face her/his own life changing events and understand where we're coming from.
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 will be a THIRD DEGREE student (I've already got a Bachelors and a Masters) and what I would be more thangrateful for is if none of my professors nor clinical instructors share this same ridiculous attitude that you do towards people who didn't choose nursing as a first career. That is an extremely short-sighted point of view.:down:
I'll be starting preparatory work for my second degree in the fall...it's really exciting and scary all rolled into one! I think the school experience is much different the second time round...
The responses to "I'm going back to school..." are varied, from positive and "I wish I had the guts to do that" to "Why...you have a good job" and "Your clock is ticking...you should start a family". I suppose everyone's response reflects their own circumstances...I can't take it personally.
There are some positive aspects of being older and having worked for awhile...I have already gone through the whole "Let's party" thing...I've a much thicker skin than when I went to school for my first degree and I know what kind of work I DON'T want to do.
I start nursing classes in January (as long as I get good grades in my preparatory semester). I'm looking forward to the change and I'm glad that I can change career directions...
I am also a 2nd degree student. I have a BSW. I have read and read about ADN vs. BSN. I have the opportunity to attend ETSU (East Tennessee Univ.) for a BSN. My biggest concern is the cost. I could attend a community college in NC for much less and get an ADN. I am already 40. Any advice? Thanks a bunch. Good luck to all!
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 find this comment insulting! Everyone who gets accepted into nursing school should be grateful, not just those of us working on a second degree. Just because this is a second degree, doesn't mean nursing is a "second choice job". Many people didn't have the option of taking nursing for their first degree, others may not have even considered nursing, but thought about taking the chance. Just because nursing hasn't been a "lifelong dream" for someone, doesn't mean they will be any less caring or dedicated to the profession. I for one, always wanted to be in a helping profession, but didn't know which one. I currently work with people who have addictions or concurrent disorders. Nursing was something that I thought of off and on but didn't know if I was able to do it as I am a single mom. I decided to go for it and have never been happier! It's been a long 4 years but I will graduate at Christmas and look forward to my years ahead as a nurse. I'm not doing it for the money (could've been a teacher)
I agree completely! When I was reading your post it's like you read my mind! I JUST got accepted into an accelerated ADN program, but I'm having the same financial aid issues and chose the ADN program over a BSN program mostly b/c it's cheaper and I preferred their curriculum with respect to clinicals.
I find this comment insulting! Everyone who gets accepted into nursing school should be grateful, not just those of us working on a second degree. Just because this is a second degree, doesn't mean nursing is a "second choice job". Many people didn't have the option of taking nursing for their first degree, others may not have even considered nursing, but thought about taking the chance. Just because nursing hasn't been a "lifelong dream" for someone, doesn't mean they will be any less caring or dedicated to the profession. I for one, always wanted to be in a helping profession, but didn't know which one. I currently work with people who have addictions or concurrent disorders. Nursing was something that I thought of off and on but didn't know if I was able to do it as I am a single mom. I decided to go for it and have never been happier! It's been a long 4 years but I will graduate at Christmas and look forward to my years ahead as a nurse. I'm not doing it for the money (could've been a teacher)
Oh, wow, you just practically told my story!! I have an Associate's in Social Work and am a state certified chemical depedency counseling assistant. I knew I wanted to be in a helping profession as well. I did my internships for that degreein mental ealth and in chemical dependency. A couseling assistant job virtually fell into my lap before I even had that degree in my hand. I thought I was fortunate. The thing is, once I started working the job, I discovered that I don't want to be behind a desk or at the end of a table leading a group discussion. I want to be hands on. I also knew that I wanted to work in a hospital environment and that what I really want to do is work with dual diagnoss patients. I had stared going through the process of enrolling in nursing classes twice while studying for my first degree but got cold feet both times...and I had already been told I could "write my ticket" based on GPA. Long story short..I wasn't happy, so I put on my brave face and made myself go through the enrollment process. I found out that I didnt have to take 20+ credits a quarter just because they were listed that way...matter of fact, the advisor I taked to advised against trying all of that at once. I felt so much better!! I'vebeen taking remaining prereqs that hadn't been a part of my other program and am down to 4 courses left...then I'll do the nursing. I think the skills I learned in the first prgram are going to be a great help in the second. I learned a great deal of people skills while studying social work. Had I done nursing first, I wouldn't have that. We're all motivated differently and we're motivated by different things. It doesn't make us wrong...just different.
I'm so glad I searched for and found this thread. I suddenly feel like I'm not so alone! I, too, have a mountian of debt from my BS and Master's degree and am now finishing up pre-reqs for the ADN program (and can apply in January).
Most of my classmates are getting financial aid and grants and I'm having to pay for each class as I go and wondering how I am going to pay for the nursing core classes since I do not qualify for any aid or any more student loans.
I know this is really what I want and what I should have done years ago. Financially we'll make it happen. Although I would never wish any struggles on anyone, I am thrilled to have found others who are in the same boat. :)
I'm so glad I searched for and found this thread. I suddenly feel like I'm not so alone! I, too, have a mountian of debt from my BS and Master's degree and am now finishing up pre-reqs for the ADN program (and can apply in January).
Most of my classmates are getting financial aid and grants and I'm having to pay for each class as I go and wondering how I am going to pay for the nursing core classes since I do not qualify for any aid or any more student loans.
I know this is really what I want and what I should have done years ago. Financially we'll make it happen. Although I would never wish any struggles on anyone, I am thrilled to have found others who are in the same boat. :)
No, you aren't alone. I kow that, being in an Associate Degree program, I haven't done crap compared to most of the rest of you, but we still have that common bond of struggling to shift gears from our prior learnig to our nursing classes, plus juggling the house, the kids, the SO, a job in many cases, the loans from the former programs, the fiancial aid or epense for the nursng program,and our own feelings. We've all got tough row to hoe, but if we stay detrermined, apply ourselves, and tough it out, we'll get there. It is great that we have each other for support.
:down:
touchhealth
129 Posts
The reason for proposing a 2nd degree forum is because for most of us, entering a new career is far from simple and 2nd degree students have a very unique sub-set of circumstances that are just not the same for people who choose nursing first. This forum is in the PRE-nursing section, meaning most of us are stuggling with how best to go about getting into nursing school as returning students...while balancing the rest of our lives. Of course, it's also open to 2nd degree students who are already in nursing programs. I'm sure those 2nd degree students already in nursing programs are VERY grateful they got into nursing school, especially considering the myriad challenging factors many 2nd degree students face above and beyond the current rigors of getting into a program.
I was at an intro to nursing class today, and they had a panel of nursing students and graduates from our local ADN program. It was really interesting to hear their stories. Many of them were 2nd degree students, and they talked at length about all the intricate strategizing and considerations that have to be made when managing: kids, spouses, student loans, working while in school, running a business while in school, losing the income from your first career, returning to school when your almost 50 years old, finding time for yourself, being a single parent, struggling with finances...etc, etc, etc...
2nd degree students have an entire spectrum of situations that are unique. Just reading through this thread illustrates how far from simple it is.
Further, it is extremely short-sighted to claim that students who choose nursing as a first career are somehow more true or comitted to the profession. I have read far too many posts from "1st career" nurses who are now leaving, to think that chosing nursing first is all that significant. I'm of the opinion that if you enter the profession of nursing for the "wrong reasons", then you probably won't make it very long in the field...whether your choose it as your 1st, 2nd, or 9th career. I had a history teacher in high school who told us that the average person changes their career 5 times in their lifetime, and that by the time we would be entering the workforce that number would probably be higher. She was absolutely right! I know scientists who became lawyers, and psych majors who became business execs, and Phd's who went to divinity school. I definately didn't know what I wanted to do with my life when I was an 18 year old senior in high school...I thought I knew, but life and experience and maturity sent me in a different direction...in fact, it sent me in many different directions.
One of the panel members today, who is halfway through her nursing program, received her BS from UC Berkeley in Neurobiology and was on a pre-med track...but she fell in love, and had a baby instead of becoming a doctor. For six years, she was a stay at home mom and when her daughter started school, she realized that she still wanted to work in healthcare but that nursing was a much better fit for her and her family comittments.
I think this illustrates that life is not simple, and our plans don't always turn out the way we imagine. As a pre-nursing & 2nd degree student, I really enjoy hearing the stories of other aspiring nurses like me. I take great comfort in what everyone shares on this thread, and appreciate the support this online community offers.
I look forward to hearing more!!:loveya: