Please help, I am so torn!

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

I am going to begin taking my nursing pre-reqs in January and should be pretty much set to start nursing school Fall '12, but I am absolutely torn about where to go to school!

I don't know if I should go to Watts or Mercy and just get my diploma and begin working, or if I should just go ahead and go to a university and obtain my BSN. In the future, regardless of which route I take, my goal is to go to ECU and get my masters in nurse-midwifery. The program, if I do RN to MSN, requires the undergrad pre-reqs and 18 s.h. of RN to BSN before entry into the MSN program. Or I could potentially go straight in if I already have my BSN.

In the long run, what would be the best route to take, you think?

I would definitely save money by going to Watts or Mercy, but would I just be taking unnecessary steps since I eventually want my MSN anyway?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I really could use any bit of advice!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A friend of mine, who worked as a LVN for a few years before going back to become an RN, said that it's a lot harder to get back into "school mode" after being in the workforce for a long period of time.

When I was considering my options he recommended that I go straight to BSN for these reasons:

1. It's easier to further my education (or switch career paths) with a BSN than an ASN.

2. I won't have to switch from "school mode" to "work mode" to "school mode" to "work mode" (bad habits can sneak up on you!)

3. You never know what can happen in the future that might complicate going back to school (ie: starting a family).

I really hope someone more knowledgable comes along to help you, but I wanted you to know that you aren't being ignored. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you so much for your advice. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would go the cheapest route -- the MSN will be expensive in the future so you'll want to start w/as little debt as possible. You can also work as an RN while you get your BSN. As someone already paying on student loans, it makes it a lot easier if your student loan payment in the future is small, as opposed to $500+ a month.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm on the same eventual path as you (would like my MSN to be a nurse-midwife and would also like a cert in women's health) and I've decided to start out small. The ADN degree from my community college is much cheaper than going straight for a BSN, and I can work and be paid a decent salary while finishing my BSN prereqs (from the community college) and eventually do a bridge program. One thing to keep in mind is that sometimes prereqs DO expire, so it would be worth it to continue with your education immediately after graduation to keep moving through. The MSN program I'm looking at says that prereqs expire after 10 years. That may not be an issue for you but I started college the first time around 10 years ago (still not sure how that happened! ;) ) and will probably need to petition my future MSN school to accept the old classes. All of my sciences are current though, thankfully!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you both for your advice. I have decided to take this route for several reasons, and money is definitely one of the bigger issues.

Good luck to you, Sentimental! I hope everything works out as planned for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

CC programs tend to be highly competitive due to how inexpensive they are and may take years to get into, depending on where you live. Also, in certain areas, BSNs are hired more readily than ADN/ASN graduates.

Also, I'd double check when you can apply. I'm going part time but I started pre-reqs at the beginning of 2011 and I'm hoping to get into a fall 2012 program. Many applications for Fall 2012 are due early next year. My fall 2012 applications are due in January.

If you have an opportunity to apply to both BSN and ADN programs, I'd apply to both.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment