runningredsfan

I will be starting a generic MN program in a few months. I did it instead of accelerated BSN because of financial aid. I too have a BS degree in another field so I wouldn't get much, if any, federal aid for the accelerated BSN. But with the MN I qualify for full aid. All I want is to be an RN right now so I am not worried about the specialty degree.

I will soon be a Mount Saint Joe's student. I just got accepted to the May 2008 class!!!! Yeah!!!!

I just took the test last month and I used the REA Study Guide. I studied the guide over and over for 2 weeks and ended up with a 73 on the test. So I would recommend it. The only other source I used was info on Wikipedia. I found that to be really helpful in filling in the gaps left in the REA guide. Concentrate on Piaget A LOT, it seemed half the questions were based on his stuff. Good luck!

Thanks for all the replies. I think I am just going to take out more loans and go the MN route. I am married but no kids yet so I figure I better get school done now before life might start getting in the way. Since I posted I talked with a few LPN's who said that they have been meaning to finish thier RN and then BSN for several years but they always find a reason not too. I don't want to end up in that boat. Thanks again!

I have a BS degree in an area other than nursing and have applied to a program to get a Masters in Nursing for those students with degrees (they do this because it opens up more financial aid opportunities than the accelerated BSN option) The program is 15 months long and at the end I would be eligible to sit for the the RN boards. I was admitted for the fall of 2008 which means I have about a year before it starts. I have just started a job as a CNA. But an LPN I work with suggested that I attend an year long LPN program that then moves straight into a 15 month RN completion instead. The LPN-RN option is much cheaper and would allow me to work while completing my RN was her reasoning. Just wondering what others thoughts were on this. Thanks guys and gals!

Thanks for all the replies! I have decided take the LTC job for now. I will feel really bad leaving if the hospital works out, but if it's a better offer I will really have something to think about! And who knows maybe LTC will be for me. Thanks again

I am applying to nursing school next fall and want to get some experience so I have applied for CNA jobs. I have been offered a job at a LTC facility with my classes starting in two weeks. Also I have a friend who works on a med surg floor in the hospital and said her supervisor was interested in hiring me but the supervisor has not yet contacted me and is now on vacation. The hospital job is the one I want. Should I wait and see what happens with it or should I just go ahead and start in LTC? I am anxious to get going and I think that's why it's such a hard decision!!!! I have never worked in either setting before so I don't know which would give me more experience. I'm so confused.

I have a BS degree already and now I am researching nursing school options and am debating between an accelerated BSN or an ADN. I would have to relocate to go an accelerated program and the finacial strain would be HUGE as I would be out of work for up to 2 years and have loans. I also live really close to community college that offers a nursing program. That option is much easier on the finances and location. So I am wondering whether an accelerated degree is really worth it. Am I thinking too short term and is it more beneficial to me to just suck it up and do the accelerated program?