Introduction and a few questions

[wintertest]

Hi,

First off I would like to thank all of you for being so active and giving out such wonderfull inside information on nursing! A lot of the questions that I have had about nursing have been answered by spending a short amount of time on this website. Thanks again!

However, If I could get some help on my specific concerns I would greatly appreciate it! Im sure that the answers are somewhere but I would like to get more involved.

I am 29 years old. I have been out of school for 6 years( 2 yr tech program graduate). I have never attended a 4 year college, mainly because I have never really found out what I want to do with my life. For some reason(which comes as much of a shock to me, as well as my family and friends), I am extremely excited about nursing, for so many reasons. I like how selfless it is and how you put other peoples cares/needs before your own. I like the idea of swallowing my pride on a regular basis. I like to work HARD. I like the idea of being challenged physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I have always found medicine fascinating and know it would be a great set of skills to know.

I have been doing a lot of research into school. If I do this, I am going to do it right and go for RN. I do not have the luxury of being supported financially through this so it will take some time. Im estimating 5-6 years for me to finish my BSN. I know there are other options that are quicker, but do they pay off in the long run? I know I could go for my 2 year A.A.S. and start working in a hospital immediately, but I have heard that its a better route to just suffer through the extra schooling and come out an RN.

Any advise is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[sugarmagnoliaRN]

If you get an Associate's, you will still be eligible to sit for the NCLEX, so you will come out an RN at the end of it. I don't have any financial support from anyone else either and that's the route I'm going for. Community colleges have really affordable programs, and they're often some of the best. What area are you in? I did a lot of research on schools around me so I may be able to offer some guidance on that if you're in the same area... if you really want to continue working full time and get your BSN, I'd look for a nights/weekends BSN program (at least one school near me has one). But for what it's worth, I'd look a little more closely at getting an Associate's... you'll end up an RN and you can complete your BSN portion while working (many schools have online programs, and a lot of ADN programs "partner up" with universities in the area with BSN programs)

[iaomai]

If you get an Associate's, you will still be eligible to sit for the NCLEX, so you will come out an RN at the end of it. I don't have any financial support from anyone else either and that's the route I'm going for. Community colleges have really affordable programs, and they're often some of the best. What area are you in? I did a lot of research on schools around me so I may be able to offer some guidance on that if you're in the same area... if you really want to continue working full time and get your BSN, I'd look for a nights/weekends BSN program (at least one school near me has one). But for what it's worth, I'd look a little more closely at getting an Associate's... you'll end up an RN and you can complete your BSN portion while working (many schools have online programs, and a lot of ADN programs "partner up" with universities in the area with BSN programs)

Im 33 yrs old and am working on pre-reqs to get into ADN program, Sugar is right, i've done research and the pay is pretty much the same, the only diff is BSN's can manage.:)

[wintertest]

Im currently in Bozeman, MT. MSU has a BSN program, but no ASN. I would have to move if I wanted to go that route.

I like the idea and the cost/time savings of a ASN, so If i wanted to go that route I would have to move. Im originally from Minneapolis and I know there are ASN programs around the cities, but they are kinda hard to get into. Well, looks like ive got more things to think about! Thanks for the replys!