Need Help Finding the Right Path

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello all,

I am getting really discouraged with my efforts to becoming a nurse.

I already have a BA in psychology and wish to be an RN. Then after working for a few years complete my education by becoming a FNP.

I have applied to several BSN accelerated programs and have not heard back from some of them yet, but the few that I have I did not get in to. I believe that this is because my overall GPA was not very high, although in all my nursing prereq. classes I have a 4.0.

I'm now thinking of just doing a traditional RN program but I'm not sure if I should go for a BSN or ADN. Will this decision affect my later wanting to go into a masters program?

I'm 26 now and didn't want to be in a 3 year program, especially since I have already had 4 years of school. I feel like this is a never ending endeavor. I was also thinking about doing a direct entry masters program, but since I'm not getting into any accelerated BSN programs, I probably wouldn't get in to that sort of program either.

I'm looking at any programs in CA, Denver, or Des Moines.

I have always wanted to be a nurse, but my university didn't offer a program. I don't really have a plan B for my life, so I would really appreciate some guidance from all of you that have been there.

Thank you so much! :banghead:

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Specializes in ICU.

Since you asked, I will tell you: You should go on and get a Ph.D. in psychology and then a counseling license and do that. You would be consulted by MDs and Psychiatrists or work in a mental hospital or counseling center, etc. You would have a lot of respect and you would make more than a nurse. Why not set your sites on that instead of tossing away your previous hard work to do something totally different?

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Specializes in L&D, MedSurg.

I feel for you. I had a friend with a BA in psych and then decided to go on to nursing school... but had a hard time getting into a BA to BSN program.. so she ended up going to an ADN program (which was just as hard to get into because our area is so impacted with people trying to become a nurse). Although she is now an RN and happy about her decision it was a hard decision to go backwards in her education persuits. Good luck. It can't be an easy decision for you. :uhoh3:

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Flightline-

Thank you so much for your input, that is an angle that I hadn't really considered. You are totally right though, I could still work in a clinical setting and that might be a happy medium for me. I will start checking out some programs.

Thanks again! :)

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Look, I was right where you are: I had graduated with my BA in psych but didn't want to go for my PhD. I wanted to become a nurse but didn't want to backtrack too far, and I was 26 and didn't want to waste any time about it. Due to some personal things that occurred while I was in school, my GPA wasn't stellar and at one point I was even on academic probation, but I got it together. I found a BSN program, took a year of science prerequisites and have had my RN for 7 years now. Keep applying to schools. If there's one you are particularly interested in, contact someone there and ask about a meeting. We are going to really need dedicated nurses over the next few decades and I'd hate to see you get discouraged so easily. There's plenty of benefit to having a background in psych as well, even if you aren't financially compensated in an obvious manner.

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I Need Coffee-

Thanks for your uplifting message. It's nice to hear from someone that was in my shoes. I was wondering if you went through a traditional or accelerated BSN program and how long did it take you to complete the program not including your science prereqs.?

Thanks again for the message!

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