Nursing School Decision

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Hello, I'm currently attending West Chester University as a non-nursing major. I've had a realization that nursing is the career I want! I am a sophomore currently, but the problem is... I can't get in to the BSN program at WCU bc it is very competitive and they only accept like 1 out of 50 internal transfer a semester. I applied to a different college (Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences) and got accepted for nursing. It is a commuter school and close to where I live which is kind of a negative for me though bc at WCU I was very excited to get out of the dorms and have an apartment with 4 of my close friends and now that can't happen. I feel like i am sacrificing so much (socially a.k.a college experience) doing this program when I could stay at WCU and get an Adavance 2 BSN second degree with the degree I'm already pursuing. I know time wise (& money) it's a better idea to transfer but I keep questioning myself & it makes me feel like that's not the right decision! Need some opinions from people who went to a small commuter college and some who did a second degree BSN????

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Specializes in ED, Critical care, & Education.

Second degree BSN here. You have posed a tough question. I had the true 4 year college experience. I changed my major several times so I didn't realize nursing was for me til probably junior year. I finished out my college experience and then received my second degree (BSN).

I'm going to talk out loud here... Shift the pros and cons around as needed to accurately speak to you.

Pros of staying... The true college experience. Great roommates and friends. I am still very close with my college roommates. Are there other pros?

Cons: You are going to spend a ton of $$ for a second bachelor's that you could use toward a masters degree. When I was graduating with a second bachelor's, I found it irritating that my college roommates were graduating with masters degrees and I was getting a second bachelors. Know that not all schools accept courses for transfer. If you want to stay where you are and finish your degree, I would be confident you had a plan in place of a school that would accept all your course work. I graduated the first time from a major university and was shocked when my second degree program made me retake some general education courses. Translates to more $$ again. Then think of the loss of income you will experience by completing your nursing degree likely a couple years later.

If money is a factor, looking ahead at life, career, potentially a masters degree, buying a house etc... the move seems wise.

Only you can decide. Follow your heart. Just remember often friends come and go and you will likely make some very close friends in your nursing program. I sure did! Hope this helps a little...

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Second degree BSN here. You have posed a tough question. I had the true 4 year college experience. I changed my major several times so I didn't realize nursing was for me til probably junior year. I finished out my college experience and then received my second degree (BSN).

I'm going to talk out loud here... Shift the pros and cons around as needed to accurately speak to you.

Pros of staying... The true college experience. Great roommates and friends. I am still very close with my college roommates. Are there other pros?

Cons: You are going to spend a ton of $$ for a second bachelor's that you could use toward a masters degree. When I was graduating with a second bachelor's, I found it irritating that my college roommates were graduating with masters degrees and I was getting a second bachelors. Know that not all schools accept courses for transfer. If you want to stay where you are and finish your degree, I would be confident you had a plan in place of a school that would accept all your course work. I graduated the first time from a major university and was shocked when my second degree program made me retake some general education courses. Translates to more $$ again. Then think of the loss of income you will experience by completing your nursing degree likely a couple years later.

If money is a factor, looking ahead at life, career, potentially a masters degree, buying a house etc... the move seems wise.

Only you can decide. Follow your heart. Just remember often friends come and go and you will likely make some very close friends in your nursing program. I sure did! Hope this helps a little...

Thank you for you're reply! It was very informative! I have considered some of the pros and cons you have listed. Although I am accepted to a BSN program, I have to start over as a freshman basically, some but not all credits transfer and the total tuition for the program is 60k for all 3 years (it's an accelerated 3year program). So, I don't know if that plus my loans I have taken out for my first 2 years at WCU (and Temple I transferred to WCU my first semester of college, hated the city lol) would make much of a difference. There is a lot to consider but I thank you very much for helping me by giving your opinion! Very much appreciated!

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I currently go to Pennsylvania college of health sciences and I love it! We do have a BSN program.

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Hi!

I am in your same boat(sort of). I have always thought I wanted to be a nurse, but I also wanted the true college experience(sports, activities, social events, etc) For a short bit, I was also a college athlete. I knew that if I chose to go straight to nursing, I wouldn't be able to experience everything that I wanted to experience, because nursing programs can be very busy and the schedules are rigid. Also, I wanted to be able to explore different areas of academics. Doing undergrad as a non-nursing major has given me the opportunity to take some really fascinating classes, which have inspired my dreams and goals for the future. After I graduate, I plan on going to an accelerated, BSN/MSN program. This way, I will be able to have three degrees in about 6(probably 7 for me) years total. Doing all of this will give me an unique experience and background and still allows me to follow my college dreams of pursuing all the activities, internships, study abroad trips, and sports that I am pursuing now. It is not a traditional path to nursing, but I think that it is a valuable one all the same!

**Sorry for the messy writing, it is really late and my brain is tired from all of this studying! I hope all of this helps, and let me know if you have any questions**

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You are lucky you have recieved admissions to some program. Many are waiting for acceptance if this is something you really want it means you will have to sacrifice for the better outcome. Although, it may of not been your ideal choice if you have the opportunity take it. These opportunities tend to come once in a life time and you cannot let these sacrifices influence your success. Its your future if you do not make the decisiom now someone else will take your seat. Will your prefer that or being closer to friends or what not. What is your priority friends will always be there if they are true. They should also want the best for you. Financially wise there are solutions and this is a big moment for you the outcome will be much more rewarding. You do not want to be the person saying I had this chance and I blew it or I regret it and advicing someone else to take the chance you didnt take. If you are at this point and there is no other option this may be your best choice besides from what I have heard nursing school does consist of making many sacrifices so this would be one of those and also other arrangements. Best of Luck!

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