CTGuy

I'm 26 and for the last year and a half, have been considering a career change to nursing. Two year ago we moved back to my wife's home area in CT, where we currently live with our 5 month old daughter. My wife doesn't want to move out of the area as it will be away from her family, and she'll have to find a new job. So we are geographically restricting ourselves. I just graduated with my Masters of Divinity and was going to be a minister, except that it is hard to find a church in this small state. I can't say that I have been the happiest in this profession. I somewhat wish I could be giving more care than emotional and spiritual suppot. I've previously done a lot of work in hospitals as an aide, and also as a Chaplain. Hence I've considered a nursing degree. I was accepted into an ADN program, but my wife is not found of the idea. I know it will require some more student loans and some nights away from the family. The question is what to do? It is possible I could defer my enrollment for a year, but I don't want to lose this opportunity. I wondering how I can make her see the light. She's a social worker and knows most hospitals in the area are on hiring freezes. How did your spouse or SO take the news of becoming a nurse? Any advice you could give is greatly appreciated.

I don't want to get into the whole ADN vs. BSN debate, but I am questioning how hospitals and other health employers look at nurses with an ADN. I know that CT has several good ADN programs, and I have been accepted into one of them. I am just worried that if I seek to obtain an ADN, I won't find a job and only find that they want you to have a BSN. For those of you with an ADN, was it hard to find a job when you graduated? For the RN's out there, have you seen any favor toward a BSN? Thanks.

I had to email them last week to find out, and I was accepted into the Nursing program... for Fall of 2010 but am on the wait list '09. Received my letter earlier this week. I will just take my Gen. Ed courses until then. I still have to fulfill the Biology and Chemistry courses. SCSU's biology is booked up? Any suggestions?

Just got letter informing me that I need to take the Accuplacer Placement Test. I'm wondering if they checked my transcript from college that shows I took two courses in English, Stats and Calc II, of course this was about 7 years ago. Anyone have any experience regarding the test? Is this a good or bad thing for admissions?

I thought I'd at least throw this out there to try and get some information. I have already received my commission in the Army and have a bachelor's degree and master's. I'm starting work for an ADN and am wondering if it is possible to transfer branches to the Army Nurse Corps with an ADN. I know the Army wants you to have a BSN. Is there any possibility the Army would help me turn the ADN into a BSN? I'm weighing and considering my options and want to keep costs low.

gemini08, could you pm me your email address. I can't pm you back. Thanks for the reply.

Does any one have any information, experiences, or impression of Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing or St. Vincent's College for Nursing? I think I've limited my schools down to these two in CT and have been looking at both of them for awhile. I hear BHSN is competive to get into, is St. Vincent's as well? Does anyone know the total price for St. V's? I'm a little more impressed by St. Vincent's admission staff and candor but am still deciding. I'm looking at this from a second career perspective. Any info is greatly appreciated.

I was watching Hopkins last night(pretty good show), which shoes all the doctors and nurses doing what they can for the patients. Most of the doctors they show are male, and I was wondering, what the environment is like with male doctors and male nurses. Do the doctors ever look down on you for being a male nurse? I only ask as some of the doctors were a little arrogant and question what the nursing staff goes through. Thanks.

I am just wondering what the starting nurse salary is for a new RN with a BSN in the CT area, specifically around the New Haven city/Fairfield County. I am looking to go into ED or SICU. I know most facilities may not have a pay differences for those with a BSN. Any info on pay and facility is appreciated.

should have mentioned, I'm in the CT, which is where I would like to stay, and would most likely be looking at a hospital either ICU, ER, or something else

I'm heavily weighing the option of going for an accelerated BSN, and was wondering what the starting wage/salary was for those of you with this degree working as an RN. I don't feel that the money is that important, but want to know what i'll be getting into financially. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

For all the men out there(and you ladies can answer too), I was wondering what the reaction of your spouse was when you told her/him that you wanted to change your career. To make a long story a short one, I'm 25 and my wife and I have been married about 2.5 years. I was going into the ministry but do not find it fulfilling enough. I feel that I should do more and help others more(there are other reasons too). I have had great work experiences in hospitals as a transportation aide, care provider, and chaplain. I am going to tell my wife after Christmas that I would like to change where I'm heading in life. I'm wondering what her reaction will be. How did your spouse take the news?

I have found a few schools that offer an Accelerated BSN program from the website allnursingschools.com. Are there any other resources on the web or schools that people know of in the New England area that offer such programs? I am really interested in this type of program and hope to find more schools that offer it. If you know of any, please let me know. Thanks.

I have thought greatly about going into Chaplaincy or Pastoral counseling. I enjoyed the clinical pastoral education(CPE) I received when I was in Jefferson Hospital in Philly. Unfortunately, it would be sometime down the road until I could work like that. I currently work in a congregation, and I absolutely hate it. To say it simply, this is not the lifestyle that I want for my wife and future children. We have meetings to discuss things, but overall I don't feel that I am doing anything(I'm sitting in my office right now reading this forum while the senior pastor went home to read a book). The hole goes deeper as I am an Army Chaplain Candidate and can not waive my contract to the Army, but am looking into be transferred to the Nurse Corps. I appreciate all your comments and help.

I'm in the Army and am looking at transferring into the Army Nurse Corps, and as an Officer, the Army requires you to have your BSN.(I'm looking at an Accelerated BSN program.) I would think the Navy would be similar, but you could enlist and because of your undergrad degree, you would be a few enlisted ranks higher because of it.