scastillo1

I am about to start NS and am a little worried about the stress for the next few years. I keep thinking that it will go by fast and I'll be done. But then I was thinking... what if being a brand new nurse is just as stressful as school???? Is this really going to be worth it? Right now, I stay at home with my kids and do not work. I am worried that I will regret my decision to go back to school/work if nursing is as stressful and miserable as so many nurses seem to be... So for those of you who completed nursing school and are now working, is it easier than when you were in school? Do you like your job? Would you have chose to do something different?

Thanks for the information. I have been struggling with the ADN vs BSN decision.

I am curious, ANC33, do you need a BSN to get a research position? I already have my BS in Community Health and MPH. I want to do clinical research, but would rather get my RN through the ADN program near by than the accelerated BSN program. Are there jobs available in research with an ADN? How do you get into research?

Thank you so much for the good advice.

I need help with a decision. I am deciding between an accelerated BSN program and an ADN program. I already have my MPH. If I went the ADN route (because the program is more conducive with my family life), would I need to eventually go back and get a BSN, or would my MPH allow me to get positions in management, without a BSN? I don't want to spend 2 years getting an ADN and then to have to spend another couple years getting my BSN if that is what I will need to further my career. Any advice is appreciated. What would you do?

What you said right here is EXACTLY how I feel. If I had to choose between the two, I would choose the BSN just like you. I need to have more than being a wife and mother. I need to be challenged and fufilled in other ways. But I am starting to question if doing both is realistic or not. Thanks for the input everyone.

I need some advice. I am set to start an accelerated BSN program next January, and am considering trying to get pregnant now and have the baby before the program starts. Would I be crazy to think I could have a baby (I also have a 4 and 6 year old) and still complete the accelerated program? I want another child but I don't want to give up getting my nursing degree (nor do I want to put it off any longer). My fear is that if I choose to not have another baby because of school, that I may regret it in the long run. I feel the same way about having a baby. If I choose to have a baby and not go to school, I think I will be bitter and depressed. Taking classes for NS and having the goal has been the best thing for me. I feel like I could do both, but am I crazy?

I also stay at home and will be starting NS in the Fall. My life feels like groundhog day over and over and over..... I am looking forward to the change and challenge! Good luck to you!

I am 35 and will be entering nursing school as a second career soon. I was wondering how many nurses out there that chose nursing as a second career, are happy in their jobs. Does anyone wish they hadn't gone into nursing? So many nurses talk about being miserable and burnt out, but I was wondering if it is different if you started nursing later in life. Thanks.

This is really depressing because I too have an MPH and working in the health insurance industry for years and swore I would not go back after staying home with my kids. Now I am enrolled to start a BSN program in the fall because I wanted something with versatility and where I could really impact people's lives. Don't burst my bubble yet!

That is the most encouraging thing I have EVER heard! THANK YOU!

I have talked to many nurses and all say that during NS you will figure out what area most interests you or what dept you will want to work in when finished, but I was wondering if that is really the general consensus. I have so many areas of interest in nursing that I think it will be hard to figure out what I want to do. I am not even in NS yet, but am starting soon. Thanks for the input.

I am about to start nursing school as a second career and I was wondering how hard it is to switch areas within a hospital once you have started. I hear that if you start in OB/L&D that you get stuck because the skills are very specific, or similiar things for other areas. I wanted to go into nursing because so many areas interest me and I don't want to choose the wrong first job if it determines my career path and I am unable to move around. Thoughts?

I also am starting an accelerated BSN program and have two little ones at home. I struggle with feeling guilty being away and not giving my family all of my attention, but I have found out that going back to school for the prereqs has been the best decision I have made. Definitely go for it. Where there's a will there's a way, right? In the end, I doubt you would regret the decision to pursue nursing. Our kids will grow up and we need to make sure we are happy with ourselves and our careers in the long run.

Thanks for the responses. It actually makes me feel much better and more sure that I can do this hearing your stories!