Need advice on Transffering, or not and to just get my BSN.

[Mom02895]

Im a young mother of two children. My kids are 2 1/2 and 1 1/2. I would like to get school over with As soon as I can because I know it will take up a lot of time. I am also working as a CNA while I take my Pre reqs for Nursing. I am currently attending Community College of Rhode Island. After thinking about this its going to take me about 4 more semesters to finish all the pre reqs Just to apply for Nursing. That is kind of stressing me out. This is Just for the Associates in Nursing. The upside is I become an LPN first and can work as an LPN while I finish school seeing as being a CNA is not bring in the $$.

On the other hand I could Transfer to Rhode Island College and already have most of the first years worth of school for the BSN done and over with so I do not know what to do. Do I wait the next 3-4 years out and just get the BSN in Nursing, considering I was planning on doing that anyway? I want to be a Midwife.

I am stressing my Husband out with this, and he does not get that I need to figure this out now. This is a big deal and a lot is going to happen with whatever I choose. I just need some advice.

Oh and Is it best to not work while In Nursing? Im not sure how we can do that.

[K_girl]

I think if you are planning on becoming a CNM you are better off to get your BSN now if you are able to do so. If I were in your shoes I would go for a BSN program instead of doing an LPN-BSN followed by BSN-MSN.

I dont know what your personal situation is so only you can decide what is best for you. Good luck! :)

[mariposabella]

I agree with Kgirl just go ahead and get your BSN out of the way. I hear that if you dont have to work while in nursing school then you shouldnt. Most people have to, so you just have to make it work as best as you can. Are there any family members or friends that can help watch your kids as you go through nursing school? That would help some.

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

There are different road to get to your ultimate goal. As one of the above posters mentioned, it just depends upon your current position. Will you be able to continue working as a CNA while doing clinical and class assignments? If not, does your household need your income to survive?

Here is what I would do to answer my question.

Does my household need my income to make ends meet? The answer to this question would guide my decision.

1. If yes, my next question would be…Can I realistically continue working full-time and take care of my family over the course of the next three years and still complete my clinical and course assignments without FAILING or losing my insanity? If no, then going for the BSN at this moment isn’t a good idea.

Now ask, Can I realistically continue working full-time and take care of my family over the course of the next year and still complete my clinical and course assignments without FAILING or losing my insanity? If yes, do the LPN route.

2. If no, go for the BSN.

I just recently graduated with my BSN. My goal is to go on for a PhD in Nursing Science. There are plenty of BSN to PhD programs that would shave off about two years rather than getting an MSN then PhD. Although it sounds good, I need to work full-time. So, I will be completing my MSN first, then PhD. Besides, I will be gaining the nursing experience I will need in order to be successful in research.

Many people on the board will encourage you to do the BSN, but remember one thing. A BSN is 120-126 credit hours (depending upon where you earn the degree). So, no it doesn’t take you “longer” or “more” work to earn the BSN. The credit hours are the same and do not change.

Perhaps this is a good idea for you:

1. Earn LPN and start making money

2. Do an LPN bridge to RN (about 1 year more) Plus you will be making RN wages and gaining RN experience prior to getting BSN.

3. Now, do RN to BSN (about 1 year more). Now you’re prepared to attend graduate school to become a CNW.

A lot to think about…good luck to you J

[Mom02895]

For the ADN in CCRI I have about another 3-4 semesters of pre requisites and if i do all of them I already got a year of the BSN at RIC out of the way. This is why Im trying to decide. Because to me it seems it will take about the same amount of Time (years) for both. and one is higher up. If I finish my Pre reqs by next fall I still have to wait until the following fall for nursing, that is 2 years right there, and then 2 years to get for RN. My school does transfer agreements with the other school which gives me automatic placement there and I take classes at both places and when I have so many credits I completely transfer over, I think its like 60 credit hours.

Im so scared to make the wrong choice and fail.