Stressed1998

Just wanted to update in case anyone is interested in the program. I am starting my second semester so far and the program seems good. The professors I’ve had so far all seem to genuinely care about our success and the cohorts aren’t too big (mine is like 28-30 students and we all have the same classes together). We have clinicals at several of the hospitals in the area. It’s a good program from what I can tell.

So, I am doing a 2 year BSN nursing program as a second bachelor degree student (general ED credits transferred/prereqs taken). My program starts at the end of this month. While I did take pathophysiology last semester and got an A in it I don't really think my grade was a good indicator of my knowledge on the topic. When I would study for exams I would study a couple of days before the exam and sort of brain dump when exam time came. I never really felt like I mastered the information. I also feel like the class was not as challenging as it should have been (and I do not mean this in a snooty way. I just do not feel like it was planned with the intention of REALLY getting us to grasp the subject at hand). Even now I have difficulty thinking about what is Cushing's syndrome and its symptoms. I'm not sure how well we are expected to have a grasp on pathophysiology. I don't remember much of the etiologies, signs/symptoms, and treatment of various conditions. Today was the first day of orientation and it was emphasized to us how difficult and stressful nursing school can be. Furthermore, I have spoken with current/past nursing students from the program and many of them have said the same thing and have mentioned students that failed out/had to graduate later because they couldn't keep up. So, I'm wondering if it makes sense to review pathophysiology before starting (and honestly A&P too. I took AP 1 Fall 2019 and got a B+ and AP 2 Spring 2020 and got an A- (honestly, I kind of don't really take my grades super seriously from Spring 2020 because of covid). I just don't feel like my grades for both AP and pathophysiology line up with how well I actually retained the knowledge. For both of these courses, the grade was largely dependent on exams (majority of which were multiple choice). I know everyone is different, but for me I could memorize/review stuff last minute and still come out with a B or an A on an exam, but from what I've heard nursing school is different. And quite honestly I want to be a nurse who understands what and why she is making certain decisions. Also, I want to be able to educate my future patients and answer any questions they might have as well as I can. Should I review for these two courses? If so, should I reread the text? Watch some videos? Pick up a review book? (I wasn't the best at keeping track of my notes, which is why that is not really an option) Or is this overkill and should I just enjoy my free days while I can (classes start 8/30)?

Hey, thank you everyone. They ended up offering me a scholarship, which means, I shouldn’t have to worry about private loans. So, I accepted my seat last week! ?

2 year BSN program: Pros: -I have been accepted to the program -I would start in the Fall 2021 semester and end in the Spring 2023 semester with a BSN degree. -high NCLEX rate -while the tuition is high my grandmother (who I am living with now) said that I can keep living with her after I graduate from the program so I do not have to worry about paying for housing/food -diverse student population -easier to commute to since my grandmother can drop me off on the way to work (eventually, I will likely be driving my self. I am in the process of working towards getting a license) -my grandmother (who has been letting me live with her, doesn't ask me to pay rent/for food) seems to prefer this option Cons: - tuition will equate to $50,000 (potentially $30,000 if I get a scholarship they offer. I know grade wise I exceed the requirements for this scholarship, but top priority is given to residents of the state and I am out of state)- assuming I do not get the scholarship that will leave $35,000 left to pay in private loans (I have $14,900 left in federal loans). I am already $10,100 loans in debt from my first bachelor's -after speaking with students further along in the program I was told that the school does not help with applying to jobs (at the same time I heard from a small amount of students that the school does help) -while there is a high NCLEX rate a good portion of students drop out -I've heard the professors are hit or miss and, as a student you have to do a lot/some self-teaching -apparently no pinning ceremony ( IDK if that will be different in the Spring 2023 semester) ASN program (w/ a dual enrollment BSN relationship with nearby institutions) Pros: -cheaper -I have taken a lot of the courses needed for both the ASN and the prereqs for the dual enrollment BSN program, which would hopefully decrease the amount of tie I would be in the program - dual enrollment (I meet most, if not all, of the prereqs to dually enroll in a nearby institution to work towards my BSN) -has more clinical hours than the 2 year BSN program - has a high NCLEX rate (and not as many students drop out so, the NCLEX rate has a larger sample size than the 2 year BSN option) Cons: -I have not applied yet so I do not know if I will get in -I would not start until the Spring 2022 semester (if I get in. I spoke with an advisor and she seemed confident that I would get in, but that doesn't really mean anything) -will be more difficult to commute to (it is 40 minutes away (less if I take the highway) from the house. I am learning how to drive ( I have 30 practice hours left until I can take the test) and my grandmother has offered to help me finance a car, but she isn't confident that I will be ready enough to drive to the school) -I am sorry to bring diversity into this, but the school is less diverse ( I went to a majority white institution in college where my race was the minority (5%). The 2 year BSN option has a more diverse student population and that would be a nice/different experience to have -since I will be starting later (if I get in) that means I will be responsible for caring for my grandfather longer. He has dementia and is in mid- mid/late stages ( can't really communicate, can't feed himself, kind of acts a little like a toddler ( for lack of a better word) at this point, has stopped bathing for the past few months and has defiantly resisted our help so, he smells not the best). If I do the BSN route, my grandmother said she would hire an aide to care for him while we are at school/work -may take a little longer So, yeah. I am leaning towards the 2 year BSN program, but the private loans and the uncertainty of the future are giving me pause. While my grandmother has said that I can continue living with her after I earn my BSN from the 2 year program I don't know where she will be 2 years from now. She is pre-diabetic and has back/knee/feet problems. Also, eventually my grandfather will likely need to be put in a care facility and that can be expensive. So I'm worried that may not be a feasible option in the future. If it matters, I am 23. I know this is a lot, but I am really struggling with this decision. My advisor has given me extra time to sign my DOI for the 2 year BSN program (the deadline was 5/1), but I know there are people on the waitlist. I did ask if I can defer a semester (which would give me time to hear back from the cc option/figure out my finances), but I haven't got a straight answer on that. Furthermore, since my grandmother seems to prefer the 2 year BSN program I feel a little obligated to just go through with it. She's been helpful with teaching me how to drive, has offered to help me finance a car, has been helping my mom financially since I was born, is letting me live with her even though I do not pay rent or for food ( I do help take care of my grandfather, but I don't feel like that's much).

I am a second bachelor degree student considering a two year BSN program that I was accepted into ( I have to accept my seat by 5/1). Doing this program will require me to take $30,000 out in private student loans, which is in addition to the $25,000 in student loans I will already have out ($10,000 from my first bachelor’s and $14,900 from the BSN program). This would leave me with $55,000 of debt (federal and private loans combined), which is a lot. I’ve been looking into the associates route where I get an asn degree at Anne arundel cc (I’m hoping this might take less than 2 years since I’ve taken a few of the required courses already and they allow us to transfer credits) and then do an RN-BSN program. If I did the math correctly getting an asn degree from Anne arundel will cost me up to $15,000 (I’m not an MD resident, which is why it’s higher than if I was in-state, but I’ve been living here with my grandparents and if I end up going this route I may consider changing my resident status). I have $14,900 remaining in federal loans so that should cover most of that. However, assuming I get in, I’m worried that I won’t be able to find any work with an asn degree while I work towards earning my BSN through an RN-BSN program. Does anyone know what the job outlook is for asn grads in the next few years or so (e.g., 2025 onwards) Should I go the asn or BSN route?

I am a second degree bachelor's student. I am $10,100 in debt from my previous degree (all federal loans). I was accepted into a nursing program that would allow me to earn my BSN in two years (credits from my previous degree are transferred). However, the total cost will be around $50,000. I called financial aid and I only have $14,900 left in federal loans (subsidized and unsubsidized). This leaves me with $35,000 remaining. The school does offer an annual $10,000 scholarship, but we aren't notified until the fall and there is no guarantee I will get it. I can also ask my mom to take out a parent plus loan (a type of federal loan) since I am still a dependent, which will cover an additional $10,000. This leaves me with roughly $25,000 left. The only option for paying this off is through private loans or a scholarship (e.g., nurse corp scholarship, which I've heard is pretty competitive and there is no guarantee I would get that). If I were to get the scholarship the school offers that would mean me taking out $15,000 ($5,000 if me and my mom are approved for the parent plus loan). This route takes me 2 years. I've heard that a BSN is more desirable than an ADN/ASN. The second option is going the community college route. There is a local community college that charges $408 per credit hour (if you are out of state, which I am, but if I go this route I may consider changing my residence). There is a total of 37 nursing course credits I need to take to obtain an ASN assuming they let me transfer the prereqs I've already taken (bio, A&P, psych). They also require I take the TEAS, which I have/I performed above what they require, which is encouraging. Afterwards, I would do an RN-BSN program. One of the school's in the area has a dual admission relationship with a community college nearby (for out of state it is $1,325 per credit and in-state $394 for a total of 31 credits. If I went this route, hopefully by this time I would have changed my resident status). If they let me transfer some of the courses from my other degree, if I understand it correctly, this route would take 2-3ish years. With this route, assuming federal aid is the same for associates and bachelors (is it?) I would take out the least amount of money. What do you guys think? I am 23 so I don't have too much pressure to hurry up and get a job, but at the same time I got into the BSN program and even though I seem to meet the requirements for the ASN option, there is no guarantee I will be admitted. On the other hand, I already have a guaranteed seat with the BSN program. Both schools have comparable NCLEX pass rates (98-100%). The cc has more test takers though than the BSN program). I just feel like with the associates option there is more stuff up in the air since I haven't applied/gotten in (the deadline for the Spring term is in July). Also, if I do the associates route I'd be stuck in the house doing nothing productive for longer since it wouldn't start until the Spring semester (I help take care of my grandfather who has dementia and I'm not working at the moment since I can't drive/can't leave the house since I am responsible for my grandfather). Also, $7,500 of the $10,100 that I have already taken out is actually from taking additional prereqs for the BSN program (they gave me a conditional acceptance based on my performance on the TEAS and my completion of additional prereqs (patho, intro to sociology) at their institution...I know big mistake). So, I feel like since I have already invested in this program in a way, I might as well continue with it. Also, what is the difference between an ASN and ADN. Are they both treated the same for an RN-BSN program? Also, it seems like a few hospitals in the area don't have a requirement for a BSN to work, but I don't know if that will be different two years from now

Has anyone who was put on the waitlist heard anything?

Hey, I was actually admitted to their second bachelors two year BSN program, but I was wondering if you have heard anything about the nursing school from anyone since you posted this. Thank you

Hey, I can't help you much, but I'm actually having the same questions as you (I got in for the second bachelors program for the Fall 2021 semester). Did you end up finding out anything? Have you heard anything about how the classes are, etc.

I was accepted to the second bachelors nursing program. I can't find much information about the school from other people online compared to other nursing schools. I have to make a decision by 5/1 on whether or not I am going to go there. If anyone knows about the program I am curious about if the program is challenging. How are the classes? Are the professors helpful? Does the program prepare its students well? Stuff like that I have found some reviews online (only 2) that said the nursing program is not very good. One review from two years ago said that a lot of students in the cohort ahead of them didn't end up finishing so there were only 7-8 people left in the class. I saw a recent review on college niche where a student said that the professors don't teach/you have to kind of teach yourself. The recent NCLEX pass rates for the school have ranged from 88-100% these past couple of years, but I am not sure how many students ended up actually taking it. If I do the program I would be taking out $50,000 in loans (the program is 2 years) and I am already $11,000 rom my first bachelors. I just want to know if I am making the right decision. So, I would really appreciate it if anyone who has ANY knowledge about the program can share anything they know about it. Thank you.

Hi, thank you for your response. I just turned 23. I guess another thing I'm curious about is with ADN programs will I have to take any general education requirements again (e.g., English composition, math, etc.)? Also, how to I discern what are good clinical placements and what are not good placements? Looking on their site they have clinical placements at Medstar Washington Hospital center, Children’s National Health Network, Sibley Memorial Hospital / John Hopkins Medicine, Psychiatric Institute of Washington, Carroll Manor Nursing and Rehab. So, it seems like a mixture of hospitals and rehabilitation centers. I'm in the MD/DC area. How do I find out if hospitals hire new ADN grads/what is it like in my area? Would it be smart to at least try a semester and see how it goes? Or would that be potentially wasting $12,000?

So, I applied to a few second degree nursing programs ranging from some 12 month long to 2 years. After hearing back, I think I will be going to a nursing school in the area. The program is 2 years long, I have a place to live, and I will be taking around $50,000 out in loans. I already am $10,100 in debt from my first bachelors degree (biology). This was actually the cheapest out of all the programs. Also, I have family in the area, which is nice. Nonetheless, as always I am having some doubts. My concerns are mainly focused on making sure that I will be prepared enough. The overall graduation rate for the university is 36%. I tried reaching out about the graduation rate for the nursing school specifically and they told me that they exceed the benchmark for overall BSN retention. While reading some reviews on some of the professors I learned that for one class year a good chunk of students ended up not finishing and around <10 students went on to take the NCLEX (I am not sure how many students were originally in the class). I am probably over thinking this and am looking for something to be wrong. The school is accredited/ has had high NCLEX pass rates the past couple of years (I am not sure how many students took it during these years). I guess I just want to be reassured that I am making the right decision to decide to go here. I know getting my ADN then doing an RN-BSN program would be another option/cheaper, but my family is happy that I have somewhere to go and I would have my BSN in two years versus the three that it would take for the ADN route. Also, I'd like to start working soon so, two years sounds good to me. But, yeah am I making the right decision?

I've been looking into the second bachelors degree program and I am curious about what students or people who know people who have gone through the program think about it. Is it a good program? Do people come out of it being prepared? Thank you!

I got off the waitlist, but I'm leaning towards not taking the seat. Just because the tuition is high for me (I just graduated in May and don't have much money saved up). I'm still thinking about it though. I am not sure how many people typically get waitlisted

So did I. I'm not sure if I am going to accept just yet though, just because of the tuition. Does anyone know when we have to respond by? I don't think I saw a date in the letter