Need advice - bail on my accelerated BSN for an ADN?(long)

[fleur-de-lis]

I am in semester 2 of a 4 semester accelerated BSN program. Right now I am kicking myself for not applying to the ADN program at my local CC. The more I learn, the more I feel like I am spinning my wheels with classes like Nursing Research and Theory. I am beginning to see that the BS in BSN does not only stand for bachelor of science (bad me - )!

I am seriously considering applying to transfer to the ADN program after this semester is over. If I do this, I will have about $20,000 less in student loans, a great deal less stress and heartache, a life for the next year, and an RN either way! From what I can gather, depending on when they schedule the classes that I will need to finish the ADN program, I will either finish at the same time or maybe one semester late if they do not offer the classes I need in the summer.

Now a bit about my reasons for looking into this. It is not grade related. I have a 4.0 currently and at worst I will finish this semester with one or 2 B's and the rest A's. I have no problem succeeding in this program - but at what cost? Since starting this program, I have injured my knee twice (not necessarily related to the program), been sick several times, and the migraines that I have not suffered from in years are back and kicking. My house looks like a tornado came through it, and the dust bunnies are taking over. I often emerge from my study coma to wonder who that handsome man in my living room is, then realize it is my husband! I own a horse who no longer remembers what I look like, and I recently sold another horse who I bred and raised from birth becuase I did not have time for her and it is not fair to ask my husband to do more than he already is (he works FT and is in school PT working on an associates in business). We don't have kids yet, but would like to someday soon, except that you have to actually have a relationship with your spouse for that to happen!!!

I am committed to becoming an RN, I am just doubting my judgment on the route to get there. Has anyone done this, or do you have any advice for me?? What do you think??

[pcicurn7]

Nursing school is hard. I think this is true regardless of whether you are in a BSN or ADN program. My apartment sounds much like you described, I have a husband who is often alone and must do for himself.

I HAVE to keep my grades up because i know that the preceptorship program that I want to apply to will require my GPA to be at least a 3.5. So, keep your future plans in mind.

If you are going to an ADN program because you think you'll have more time, I think you will find yourself mistaken. I'm in an ADN program, and i often hear "i have never had to work so hard in my life to get a C+"...However, $20K less in loans is a REALLY GOOD reason to switch over. So, find out what your priorities really are, then trust your instinct. But keep in mind that your lifestyle is probably not going to change much...just keep your eye on the big picture...graduation is not that far away, regardless of which program you choose. Good luck!

[piper_for_hire]

Well ... yes! When I struggled with the pressures of my accelerated program, my grades were headed in the wrong direction. I think she needs to decide which way to go and get more focused. All I can say is that it worked for me.

-S

Piper, she's indicated that she feels like she's going to crack now as it is. So you are telling her to push harder? It definately sounds like she needs a pressure release, not more pressure.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

Well ... yes! When I struggled with the pressures of my accelerated program, my grades were headed in the wrong direction. I think she needs to decide which way to go and get more focused. All I can say is that it worked for me.

-S

I think you are projecting your own life onto her. Of course this is something we all do to varying degrees. You wanted to get in CRNA school. You needed near perfect grades. Fleur has indicated zero interest in CRNA school, and in fact says she isn't interested in graduate school.

It seems to me that she should deal with the here-and-now challenge of getting thru her BSN program with her sanity in tact. Focusing on a narrow possibility rather than immediate real problems now, is odd to me.

Adding pressure to someone screaming for less pressure usually doesn't equal success. Fact is, a solid 3.0 is perfectly respectible.

[piper_for_hire]

Like I said, it's what worked for me. I can only speak from personal experience. It wasn't just the grades, it was also meeting the pressures of the accelerated program head on. Sort of a "take the bull by the horns" way to look at it. Instead of feeling like it was kicking my butt (which it was), I felt like I was holding my own. It's a good feeling and a great way to deal with the stress of it all.

I completely disagree with ignoring what may come over the horizon. Totally understand what you're saying, but I really believe that buying options that you may never cash in is worth it - because eventually you're going to be glad you did. Creating options for yourself is a good habit to get into.

-S

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

Like I said, it's what worked for me. I can only speak from personal experience. It wasn't just the grades, it was also meeting the pressures of the accelerated program head on. Sort of a "take the bull by the horns" way to look at it. Instead of feeling like it was kicking my butt (which it was), I felt like I was holding my own. It's a good feeling and a great way to deal with the stress of it all.

I completely disagree with ignoring what may come over the horizon. Totally understand what you're saying, but I really believe that buying options that you may never cash in is worth it - because eventually you're going to be glad you did. Creating options for yourself is a good habit to get into.

-S

This really goes to show how different approaches motivate/affect different people. It's great that this approach worked for you. We all have different buttons to push. Every semester I get uptight about my GPA because I force 4.0 stress onto myself. So every semester, about 1 month in, I tell myself that I can get one 'B' out of my classes. The same thing always happens...I feel a pressure release and I feel so relieved I get all A's.

I think it comes down to if someone is slacking or has more ability...or if s/he is really just overwhelmed and at the breaking point. Also, performance anxiety v. not.

The self-imposed pressure that works quite well for one person can torpedo another person.

[kharing]

Here's a link to a discussion about loan payoff programs....

https://allnurses.com/forums/f121/ways-pay-off-your-nursing-loan-debt-176910.html

I would stick it out! Keep in mind you probably will have a long wait to transfer into a ADN program. Your grades are stellar!!!

Good Luck with your decision.

[fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN]

Well, thought I would give you all an update. It had been another long, had week, but I have decided to stick it out. I never even called the ADN program like I was going to. Went to lunch on Monday with a couple of friends in the program and low and behold - - we are ALL feeling this way! Just having friends to commiserate with was enough to recharge my batteries and convince me to stick it out. I still feel like there is alot of busy work in the program, but I've come to the conclusion that I signed up for this, and I knew/should have known that I was not in for an easy ride.

The money was still tempting me, but this week I found out about a small inheritance that will wipe out about a quarter of my credit card debt, and my hubby has a chance to make a sale that will gross ten grand on commission!!!! (Not a sure thing by any means, but we are crossing our fingers) So, with my financial future looking up, I think we will stick to our original plan.

I want to sincerely thank everyone who responded. This was one of my darker moments since school started, and knowing there are people who cared enough to take time out to address MY problem was really inspiring. Thank you! :icon_hug: :kiss

[glenwood]

Stay in your program. The good jobs more and more require a BSN. Talk to your husband about the presure you are under. Most schools have counselors who can help a lot. One more year and you have it made. If your tired take a term off if you can.But get the BSN.

[Ms.RN]

I dont know about switching from BSN to ADN program. Think about this.. Accelerated BSN program is one year vs. ADN program is two years. And most nursing schools wont allow students to transfer their nursing classes, maybe exception of fundamental of nursing class. So if you transfer, you have to start all over and you have 2 more years of nursing school. Do you want to do that? Why not finish nursing school in one year, since you are doing good in that program? Or do you want to be in nursing school two more years?

[Megsd, BSN, RN]

I'm glad you're sticking with it. I'm in an ABSN program too (first quarter) and sometimes I think my head is going to explode from all the knowledge being backed into it. The good news is the other 23 students I'm with feel the same way. I have decided to not let school completely rule my life, though. I take one night/day off per week to do fun things. Every Thursday night 5 of my classmates and I get together to watch Grey's Anatomy, we have an intramural volleyball team (we lose every game but we cheer louder than anybody else), and today we're going to a food festival. And I've gotten all A's so far and have a teeny weeny bit of sanity.

School is tough, but it's doable, and it's more doable if you can find some kind of balance in your life.

Good luck with the rest of your program!

[gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP]

Honestly - I don't think any program is easier than any other. The accelerated programs are admissably more intense because of the time factor - but no matter what program you find yourself in, its going to be a brain buster.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Glad to hear you're going to stick with it and things are taking a better turn financially. Good luck to you in all that you do.