I really need help making the best decision about nursing school for my life. I know that there are so many different paths to take to become a nurse, but my problem is all about timing! I have just graduated with a B.A. in Communications from UCF, and I have known for about a year and a half that I absolutely want to be a nurse. I was actually registered in the pre-reqs 2 semesters ago at UCF, and thanks to my parents, I was forced to drop out of them and finish my B.A. instead of pursue my dream. Anyways, I am now free to make my own decisions and I just want to make the best one. Obviously, just like almost everyone, I want to choose a path that is going to allow me to make an income as a nurse in the least amount of time, and put me (and my fiance) in the least amount of debt, since we are currently debt-free. P.S. I am 22-years-old and live in Orlando, FL. Here are my options:
1. Go to LPN school at Orlando Tech, start in January 2011 and finish January 2012. Upon graduation, begin working PT as an LPN while completing the Indiana State University online LPN-BSN bridge program, finish my BSN probably just before Jan. 2014. Cost: $4500, plus $30K for BSN.
2. Spend the next year (2 semesters) finishing up the pre-reqs I don't have (Biology, Chemistry, A+P 1 and 2, Micro, Nutrition, Dev. Psych), finish those JUST in time to apply to Remington College's new Accelerated BSN program. I would start July 2011 and finish July 2012. Cost: $36K
3. Spend the next year finishing the pre-reqs as stated above, then wait until January 2012 to apply to UCF's Accelerated BSN Program (I would not have the pre-reqs done in time to apply by the Jan. 2011 deadline), start May 2012 and finish May 2013.
Cost: Approx. $10K
4. Spend the next year finishing pre-reqs, hope that Seminole State College's application deadline is after my final grades are in, then start their ADN-RN program August 2011 and finish August 2013. Cost: Approx. $8K
I have almost a 3.5 GPA and I have 2 A's and one B in the pre-reqs I've taken so far (no sciences). I'm including this info because it's not like the above 4 options are REALLY all options for me, because my chances of getting into the Accelerated programs, especially UCF's, are very slim. I appreciate you taking the time to read this, and I truly welcome any advice or guidance! Thank you!
BSN might take longer... but at least there's no "what ifs." A lot jobs are more open towards you. Debt is manageable when you know how to save money. There are just some things you have to sacrifice. Go to a financial advisor if money is really a big issue.
Haha, yes, you probably do know who I'm talking about. I appreciate his bluntness, but it was still a little disheartening to hear. But, you're right, it would be a great feeling to prove him wrong! As I posted above, I am now planning to apply to UCF next January, if all goes according to plan. I checked out Remington, and after hearing some negative reviews, the price ($35K) was the final factor to take it out of my options. I have considered other schools, but I am getting married and our life is pretty much set here in Orlando, so it would really be ideal to go to school here. Thank you for the advice! :)
Good for you! It is good to have a plan. Rock those prereqs, seriously. UCF is very competitive and if you can swing it accept nothing less than an A for your grades (it can be done, I am proof and I also work full time. Don't take more than 2 science classes at a time if you can help it). UCF only looks at your GPAs and TEAS scores for admission, that's it! No letters, no essay. So if your grades and TEAS are the only things that are going to speak for you in front of the admission committee, they better freaking sing! If you're also considering ADN programs, there is also Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences in Orlando. I know someone who went there for nursing and was very happy. Its affiliation to Florida Hospital is a big plus for clinicals and networking. Congrats on your wedding! :)
BSN might take longer... but at least there's no "what ifs." A lot jobs are more open towards you. Debt is manageable when you know how to save money. There are just some things you have to sacrifice. Go to a financial advisor if money is really a big issue.
Just throwing this out there since $$ was mentioned, I heard Dave Ramsey (Total Money Makeover) is coming to Orlando in Nov. Doing a live presentation @ UCF. I'm thinking of going, anything more I can learn about finances would be great!
well, I suppose the reason I'm so unconfident with my GPA and overall chance of getting into an accelerated program is because I met with UCF's nursing advisor and he pretty much told me I had a slim to none chance of getting in, and that's if I got all A's on every pre-req...at least he was honest? He also said don't bother applying unless I had every pre-req completed by the time I applied...
I certainly agree with all of you- BSN is the ideal option, it's just a matter of getting those pre-reqs done and getting accepted!
Any opinions about Remington College? They are accredited, but like I said, it's a new program...
I intend on applying to UCF's accelerated program for 2011-2012, and after reading this I became worried. I only have two pre-reqs to finish, and I was considering taking just one this fall and the other in the spring. I am taking the TEAS exam in a few months, and I have been thinking spreading out these classes would free up more study time. A member of the nursing department told me you must have eight of the nine pre-reqs completed to apply, but I have an appointment next week to speak with a nursing advisor to be sure. This advisor is not the same person you spoke with, so it will be interesting to see what information she provides.
I intend on applying to UCF's accelerated program for 2011-2012, and after reading this I became worried. I only have two pre-reqs to finish, and I was considering taking just one this fall and the other in the spring. I am taking the TEAS exam in a few months, and I have been thinking spreading out these classes would free up more study time. A member of the nursing department told me you must have eight of the nine pre-reqs completed to apply, but I have an appointment next week to speak with a nursing advisor to be sure. This advisor is not the same person you spoke with, so it will be interesting to see what information she provides.
I highly recommend having all of your pre-reqs completed before applying to UCF- I have been told this by several UCF advisors, not just the one I mentioned above, as well as advisors from other nursing schools. It is just too competitive for them to accept people who don't have all the grades completed when they apply. Also, I have already taken the TEAS and although I don't know your personal situation, I would imagine it wouldn't be necessary for you to spread out your classes just to make study time for the TEAS- I'm not saying the test doesn't require studying, because you will definitely need to brush up on previously learned skills and facts (especially in the areas of math and science), but the test does not require the caliber of studying as, for example, a more intense test like the LSAT. Think of the TEAS as a shorter version of the SAT or ACT from high school (and an easier version IMO!)
I think if you are leaning towards getting your BSN then why do all the otehr stuff? I cannot imagine its going to be any cheaper one way or teh other. Where I live ABSN and BSN programs cost about the same since its not that you are taking less credits doing tegh ABSN route, its just quicker. Another thing is if you do the ADN or LPN you're adding a lot of what ifs. You have to go through applying for LPN or ADN school, then cross your fingers you can get a job while taking more classes and then trying to apply again to get into nursing school and going through that stress again all to reach the same goal. Not too sound too dorky but the fastest way to get from point A to point B is always a straight line :)
If you're also considering ADN programs, there is also Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences in Orlando. I know someone who went there for nursing and was very happy. Its affiliation to Florida Hospital is a big plus for clinicals and networking. Congrats on your wedding! :)
He also said don't bother applying unless I had every pre-req completed by the time I applied...
m_aidez
137 Posts
BSN might take longer... but at least there's no "what ifs." A lot jobs are more open towards you. Debt is manageable when you know how to save money. There are just some things you have to sacrifice. Go to a financial advisor if money is really a big issue.