TJC35

I would just like to thank everyone who took the time to read and reply to my post. The advice and words of encouragement have really warmed my heart and put a smile on my face.:nuke: To date, I have not heard back from the University so I'm not even sure whether I will have the option to take the BScN but I have decided not to stress out anymore about the whole process. Either way, come September I will be in a nursing program and that is a gift and an adventure in and of itself. I have really come to see that there is no right or wrong decision because there are pros and cons for both sides. So I'd like to thank you all again for your wonderful thoughts and I will keep you posted about what happens!!.

Today was the day I have been waiting for since I don't know when....I am going to be a nurse!!!!! I've been accepted for an RPN program in the fall and I am really excited but I have also applied to the BScN program as well and I still have another month or so until I receive that decision. The fact of the matter is that I was perfectly content to become a practical nurse. I had planned on bridging to RN a little bit later on as I thought that this would be an excellent way to begin nursing asap and to earn money for my BScN while raising my little boys (with my hubby's help of course). Then I started to do research online and I started to ask actual nurses about their careers. Most of the job postings in Ontario are for RNs and most of the advice I get from actual nurses is that I should try to become an RN if at all possible. I even made some calls to local employers to discuss future job prospects....their tone was lukewarm. This leaves me with mixed feelings. Are practical nurses not respected and valued in the workplace? Is there a shortage of work for them? I am hoping to be accepted to the BScN program but in the event that I don't get in I am looking for some information from RPN's and RN's about how the working environment is for a practical nurse. I am really grateful to have been accepted into the RPN program but I just want to make sure that I won't be disappointed after investing my time and my families savings. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this and /or reply.

I am an older (35) prospective Nursing student and am having a very difficult time choosing the route to take. I have 2 small children aged 4 & 6 as well as a husband in the military. I have applied to the RPN program in a small Ontario town and will likely be accepted but the more research I do online, the more I find that the jobs I would be interested in are filled by RNs. I did go to university way back but I didn't finish so I have an idea about attending that type of school. 4 years just seems so long and I feel as though I'm running out of time. On the other hand 2 years seems achievable but will I be happy at the end? Bridging programs are few to nil. I have all the requirements for the RN program but my math mark is low so I might not even get accepted to the university program in my area and then there is the cost...........I would appreciate any insight or thoughts about this dilemma. Thanks, TJC35