cbxo

I am a pre-nursing student with a BA, planning to apply to a few Accelerated-BSN programs as I finish up my pre-reqs. As I've been searching for programs, I've become increasingly aware and surprised by how competitive these programs seem to be compared to even just a few years ago. The acceptance rates seem to be in the 10% range if I'm getting my information correctly. Even the possibility of getting into an ADN program (in California) looks bleak, especially with the competitive number of applicants and waitlist time. Does anyone have any insight on what the reality of becoming an RN is these days? How are the educational standards changing? Has there just been a major increase in prospective nursing students? Maybe this is a vague set of questions, but I'm really just looking for any insight about getting into nursing school in today's world and what to expect in the coming years.

Thank you all for your feedback! One thing that draws me to the RN role is the diversity and flexibility of working in different environments (flight nursing, school nursing, travel nursing, ER, NICU, summer camp nursing, etc.). That's not to say I plan on jumping around and doing everything, but it seems like if I ever felt bored or burnt out in one department, I'd have the flexibility as an RN to move into a new field and continue to learn. Do any of you feel limited at all in your role as an NP?

From the threads I've read, it seems like most NPs are really happy with their jobs and RNs have mixed opinions about their experiences. I was wondering if there are any NPs that miss their previous jobs as RNs. Does anyone like their RN job better than NP job? Anyone plan on going back to being an RN? Pre-nursing student asking.

Hi there! First post here. I'm really struggling to make a decision on my career path and am asking for any insight/wisdom from you that could help me. I'm 23 years old and have been working as an office administrator at a tech startup in the SV for a year now. I have been offered to join the marketing department by the VP Marketing, which is a GREAT opportunity for growth and mentorship. The company itself is overall very "happy"..free lunches, flexibility, friendly people, it's kind of like a family. However, I am so unhappy day in and day out and get depressed thinking about going into work for a full day. It could be unhappiness that I need to fix within myself or it could mean that I'm not meant for the tech world. Meanwhile, I've been reconsidering going back to community college to finish my pre-reqs for a Direct Entry Nursing Program, which was what I was planning to do before joining the tech startup. However, I would want to quit my job to focus on this full-time. I have a 3.98 from my university, and so far have taken inorganic chem (A+) and developmental psych (A) for science pre-reqs. I'm also a certified EMT (although I don't practice). I know the grass is always greener, but I need to make a decision soon, and am wondering if some nurse practitioners/MEPN students have any advice for me. Do you have a similar experience? Do you enjoy what you do? Do you regret it? Do you think I should leave a promising marketing career for advanced practice nursing? Any insight would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks so much.