Need help deciding what path to take...

Published

  1. What would you do?

    • 11
      Stay at the 4-year university
    • 14
      Go to the 2-year and go from there
    • 4
      Other- please explain

29 members have participated

So I've never posted on here, but I spend a lot of time on here reading! And now I need some advice. I am just finishing up my freshman year at a four year university, so im technically a pre-nursing student right now. I just dont know where i want to go from here. I love my school, and the college experience but the money is an issue. I dont get any financial aid and haven't been able to scoop up any scholarships, so loans are going to build up quickly. I guess my big question is should i go to community college or stick with the university. I've been thinking about getting my associates RN and then getting a job with that, and then apply for an RN to BSN program to get my bachelors degree. That way i could work and pay for school but i would also know if nursing was something that i actually want to further my education in. My ultimate goal is to get my masters degree and become a CNM, in case you guys want to know. what would you do?? they both have pros and cons. I just dont know what to do! Thanks in advance :)

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If money is what you are concerned about, then I would say, try the community college route. But if you are like me and time is more of a factor, I would stay where you are. I personally, have a hard time doing well in school when I am attending full time and working at the same time. I am 34 years old (been back in school since Fall 2011) and luckily, I am able to rely on my parents to help me out financially while I finish school. They are getting older & who knows how long they will be around. That is why it is important for me to do it all now, while I still have support. For me, it would be so much harder to get a BSN while working full time as a nurse. But that is just me. If you have no problem balancing school and work, then definitely consider getting your ADN first. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in OMFS, Dentistry.

I am in the same boat as you but after looking at all the prices and time... I have decided to do the community college route and then do the bsn after.

GOod luck.. hope it all works out!!

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Thank you guys both for your response!! Ive been looking at community colleges that are local and they have pre-nursing programs. So I would be doing the same thing Im doing here because in the end you still apply for nursing school for your BSN.... You just do it at community college.

Also if I went ADN route I would have an idea for what nursing is all about and then I would knowif it is something I even want to further my education in. I just have so many thoughts running through my head.... both routes have their pros and cons and I dont want to regret whatever descision I make later!

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Specializes in Midwifery, Women's Health, PCP.

You'll probably be missing time if you go the ADN route now. It's not like you can apply over the summer for a program and get in the fall--probably the earliest would be spring semester, later if you have pre-reqs to take, and depending on the ADN program, you'll probably have to start at the first nursing semester once you have your pre-reqs done and have been accepted to the nursing program. It may take you almost as long to do an ADN at this point as the bachelor's.

So probably your best bet is to set up appointments with advisors at the CCs you're thinking of attending and get a good idea of the timeline and an idea of exactly how much you'll be spending there so you can make an informed decision.

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You'll probably be missing time if you go the ADN route now. It's not like you can apply over the summer for a program and get in the fall--probably the earliest would be spring semester, later if you have pre-reqs to take, and depending on the ADN program, you'll probably have to start at the first nursing semester once you have your pre-reqs done and have been accepted to the nursing program. It may take you almost as long to do an ADN at this point as the bachelor's.

So probably your best bet is to set up appointments with advisors at the CCs you're thinking of attending and get a good idea of the timeline and an idea of exactly how much you'll be spending there so you can make an informed decision.

Yeah thats kind of what I was thinking. Once this quarter is over and Im done with finals I will probably try and set up some appointments just to see how it would all pan out!!

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Ok, first stay at a community 2 year. I know a scholarship that pays for your rn program once you get in or know you will be accepted... just private message me if i can be of any help....

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Ok, first stay at a community 2 year. I know a scholarship that pays for your rn program once you get in or know you will be accepted... just private message me if i can be of any help....

I dont have enough posts yet to private message!! But I would love to know more about this program you are talking about!! :)

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Specializes in Cardiac intermediate care.

To state my own bias, I will be a student in a traditional BSN program, which was the best choice for my own circumstances. loveofmedicine, what kind of waiting period is there for the CC nursing program(s) you are considering? What will you do to pay for school during that time?

Have you considered any public service programs that help pay off your loans after graduation? I know that if you work in certain medically underserved areas, there is a program that helps lower your loans. Look up Public Service Loan Forgiveness, or programs like it, and hopefully that may help you figure out if this may be a solution to your student loans.

I hope you find the path that is best for you :-).

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Currently they have a waiting list, but when they go to accept people they accept the top five on the waiting list and then everyone else is fair game so to speak.As for paying my plan is to work over the summer which I already have a job lined up. And then pay for it that way. Also if I do CC my parents can actually afford to help me pay for that.

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well shoot.. whats your email or email me .. [email protected]

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Dont put your dreams on hold because of money. I would say start with the LPN, check your local community college, then apply there for the RN or you can do that online. Then move your way up, all the while working to pay for school.

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