Is it the time for Nursing School?

Nurses General Nursing

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i welcome any advice as i try to work out my thoughts regarding nursing school.

i currently have a good job in the healthcare field. i make a good salary (more than an new grad nurse), but the job is very dry, limited patient interaction and erratic schedule ( i mean i don't know my schedule till the day before). the job has been very rewarding over the years, but overall the job does not fit my personality. i work with nurses every day, i know its not a glamorous job and i know they are understaffed and over worked. i also know nurses that love their job.

recently, i have been accepted to a nursing school that is in its initial accreditation process for regional's and nationals. the program is a bsn just under 2 years. i know that if the school does not complete accreditation by the time i graduate, my bsn would not allow me to get a graduate degree (which i would like to get).

i am aware that new graduate nurses are experiencing huge difficulties with employment after school right now.

my confusing thoughts....

do i risk enrollment in hopes that accreditation will go through? do i go to this nursing school (only one i have got into) and become 50,000$ in student loan debt in this economy? do i chance nursing school to possibly be unemployed when i get out?

please, new graduates and experienced nurses i would like to hear your thoughts on my issue.

thanks,

glittermind ;)

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Personally , I am not worried about job prospects. I don't have the sky is falling mentality that some people have. This is my 2nd career, it took me a couple of months to get my first job after I finished school the first time around. So I'm not expecting different as a new grad RN. When I finished school the first time around it was in the "good ol days" in the 90's. Now that we are in a tight economy, I know finding a job will be even harder, but eventually it will happen. Might take longer than I would like, but thats fine by me. I'm not worried. Having said that, as much as I've wanted to be a nurse for a long time, I would never take out that amount in loans. I would apply to every public college before taking on that much in loans. A school costing that much would have to be my very last resort, not my first option.

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I would not spend $50k on a non accredited program period, but then I wouldn't spend $50k on an accredited one right now. There are cheaper ways to become an RN. The last thing you want is a non accredited degree, a whopping great debt and no job. JMHO.

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Specializes in TELEMETRY.

Even though I spent that much on school... today I probably wouldn't have. I happy as a RN, I do make ok money but as much as I make I spend plus more with school loans. I would just wait to get into a community college or just stay where I am... Especially in this economy.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Nsg QA.

If the school is part of a larger educational system, such as a public state school, I might risk it. And the tuition is much less. If it is a "for profit" school (the proper term escapes me) I would not take the risk. At 50K and no accreditation - a "no" from me.

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I would second anyone here in that $50K is too much to spend for an RN degree. It sounds like a "for profit" school and they will say anything to get you in, and promise upfront to get you a job once you graduate only for them to turn their back on you once you walk across the platform to get your diploma.

There is also the quality of the future nurses' education that has been called into question. The grads of a certain career class here are not able to get any hospital jobs.

I know that they are known to say "oh, we aren't accredited in nursing at the moment, but by the time you graduate, we will be." By the time graduation rolls around, they are no closer to accreditation than they were on day one that you met with them.

Yes, there is a waiting list on many community college, but the price both financially and educationally is worth it. You don't want to go to NS to end up with no job or dashed other chances for continuing ed just because they say anything to get you to sign up.

They don't care about you, rather the bottom line for them, especially in this economy.

I do hope you have the strength to be patient and you will be much better off. The best of luck to you!

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Specializes in Community Health.

It sounds like the big "selling point" for you is the length of the program-2 years for a BSN? I didn't even know that was possible, unless it's a second degree program. But I agree with everyone else-the cost is waaay too high.

Since you do have a job, my advice would be to look around, and find a program that is less expensive, and one that you can do on a part time basis while still working at your current job. There is no need to rush yourself, especially in this economy. Hopefully, once you graduate the job situation will be better!

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.

I don't have a straightforward answer for you, but this has been my experience. I graduated in June with an ADN at the top of my class. I still don't have a job. I knew it was going to be tough, but I never thought I would still be sitting here in November without a nursing job. I also have previous healthcare experience as an MA. I'm starting to get to the point where I'm feeling very discouraged and am wondering if I made a good choice. However, I'm still staying hopeful that something will come up soon. I have applied to countless opportunities, including jobs in different areas, and have brainstormed every possible idea I could imagine. One new grad RN residency program I applied for had over 1000 applicants for 20 spots, just to give you an idea of how the job market for new grads is right now (that was in CA, I'm in AZ). It also totally depends on your area, however. Some cities/states have plenty of new grad openings. Unfortunately, I don't live in one of those areas. The good thing for you is, you have 2+ years until you would be looking for a job, so hopefully (!!!) the job market would have improved by then. Good luck on whatever decision you make!

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hey crossingfingers 10!

Thanks for your reply to my thread. I wanted to ask you about your ADN. I have been looking at my community college system. I could be put on a waitlist and get in within a year or so. The price is so much less! I guess my question is does having a ADN compared to a BSN make a difference in the job market?

I wish you the best of luck finding a job :)

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It might give you a slight edge depending on the hospital, but in the beginning of your career, there isn't much of a difference between an ADN and a BSN. BSNs can advance to management positions and can get their masters degrees. If being a nurse practitioner or CRNA is your final goal, then there are always ADN to BSN programs.

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.
hey crossingfingers 10!

Thanks for your reply to my thread. I wanted to ask you about your ADN. I have been looking at my community college system. I could be put on a waitlist and get in within a year or so. The price is so much less! I guess my question is does having a ADN compared to a BSN make a difference in the job market?

I wish you the best of luck finding a job :)

You're welcome :) Having a BSN gives you the ability to work in many other different areas of nursing, such as school nursing, supervisory/management positions, teaching, etc. Technically, it shouldn't matter when applying for your first nursing job since ADN and BSN nurses can do the same nursing skills on the floor and are both equally qualified. However, I come across job postings all the time that say "BSN preferred." I don't know how much emphasis they put on ADN vs. BSN. I know I'm having a hard time getting a job, but that's pretty much across the board in my area. The only classmates of mine that have jobs at this point is a result of them either working at the hospital as a CNA/tech during or before school, or they know someone involved in hiring. I actually know quite a few people in nursing administration at various hospitals, and they've pretty much told me their hands are tied due to hiring freezes/budget cuts/etc. and the best they can hold onto my resume. My plan is to start on my BSN within the next year or so. I do want a BSN degree, but I wanted to get into the field quicker. Hopefully I get a job soon so that plan will have paid off :) Thank you! Good luck to you in your nursing education/career!

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i live in colorado. the job market in denver is suffering, i believe it that every where is suffering. i have been using my resources from my current healthcare job to talk to recruiters etc... about the job market. one of them said that he has never seen such a decline in hiring nurses in his career, except for this year alone! he said he hopes that this is just a short phase because he knows the impact this is having on the nursing field. i asked if the school has anything to do with the hire, he said slightly but what they really look for is the person. so, if they are looking for a person that means you have to prove yourself above and beyond anyone else.

i try to an optimistic person, but sometimes you really have to be realistic about the situation. the economy defiantly scares me because leaving a good job is quite a risk right now. however, i still would love to be nurse someday so i am still working on that goal….

i have been applying for two years to the bsn programs in co. they are very competitive here, with no luck (expect the one i mentioned in my first post). i mean if you don’t have a 3.75 on your previous ba then your sol. that is why i am leaning towards the adn, even though i already have a ba in physiology.

my next question is these rn-bsn programs what are the requirements to get in? there has to be other classes then nursing classes to get a bsn because of the credit load needed for a bachelors degree.

keep your head up!

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