Please can anyone assist me in choosing nursing schools?

Hello all,

I am a nursing student at a small regional nursing school. I would like to transfer because the program is not want I had hoped for, yet I don't want to apply randomly to other schools without knowing what their programs are like. Here is my situation. I am a second degree nursing student. I have a BA in biology and an MA in philosophy. My current school caters primarily to students fresh out of high school and I am feeling distinctly out of place. Are there any nursing schools out there that have high percentages of second degree students or at least tailor their teaching to adult students? Does anyone know where I can find this type of information on nursing schools?

Thank you for any help you can give.

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Hello all,

I am a nursing student at a small regional nursing school. I would like to transfer because the program is not want I had hoped for, yet I don't want to apply randomly to other schools without knowing what their programs are like. Here is my situation. I am a second degree nursing student. I have a BA in biology and an MA in philosophy. My current school caters primarily to students fresh out of high school and I am feeling distinctly out of place. Are there any nursing schools out there that have high percentages of second degree students or at least tailor their teaching to adult students? Does anyone know where I can find this type of information on nursing schools?

Thank you for any help you can give.

The accelerated BSN programs cater to the needs of the second-career college student. I would investigate programs in your area. Only caveat: the stress and workload in these programs can be phenomenal.

[xanthippe]

I suppose my concern is this. The workload in my current program is fairly heavy, but it feels mainly like busywork and memorization. My classes for the most part are challenging only in the amount of work assigned. The work is not mentally taxing or stimulating. It's stressing me out considerably because I don't feel like I'm getting what I need. I'm flip-floping between frustration and disapointment. Would another program really be all that different? Will I find interesting and intellectual classes somewhere? Or if I transfer to another school will I be in for more of the same memorization and regurgitation in a different location?

[pmchap]

I suppose my concern is this. The workload in my current program is fairly heavy, but it feels mainly like busywork and memorization. My classes for the most part are challenging only in the amount of work assigned. The work is not mentally taxing or stimulating. It's stressing me out considerably because I don't feel like I'm getting what I need. I'm flip-floping between frustration and disapointment. Would another program really be all that different? Will I find interesting and intellectual classes somewhere? Or if I transfer to another school will I be in for more of the same memorization and regurgitation in a different location?

Welcome to the world of second degrees...... After completing my initial degree (BN) I did a BEd - the first two years where exactly as you said 'busywork' - I loved it because for two years my marks where never less than above 90%. I realised (after talking to lecturers) that is because undergrad (or first) degrees are designed on the concept of the new tertiary learner. Doing accelerated programs is one way to get away from that should a career direction change be your desire.

If your transferred into another regular program I wouldn't expect any massive shifts in learning expectations.

Goodluck

Peter