GM1023

i feel your pain! i am 32 years old and i will be done my prereqs in two months. this whole baby thing and changing careers has been big for me. i also have a bachelors and have been looking at every option imaginable as far as schools – accelerated bsn, rn then rn to bsn, regular full-time bsn. i had a plan … and it was to complete an rn program. the school is a hospital as well, and i have experience working at two different hospitals in a marketing position. so, i felt like i was somewhat at an advantage for finding a job with an rn. plus, the school has an affiliation with a bsn program, so you go right into it. i timed it “perfectly” so i would have all my prereqs completed, including all the additional classes that are required during the program. however, i had a miscarriage at 9 weeks, and i didn’t get into the nursing class i wanted to. the class i was accepted for would be a much longer wait to start. i was so upset about all of these things, and one day, a random woman in an exercise class that i teach told me she was a nursing instructor in an accelerated bsn program. she really encouraged me to look into it. i told her i still wanted to have a baby, she said the school has two different accelerated bsn tracks and an undergrad program as well – so i could easily fall into another class or take a semester off if needed. i thought it was a sign that i should go for accelerated bsn, and i applied. the start date would have been the month the baby was due. so i was anticipating getting into that school and just waiting a bit to start a family. unfortunately, i didn’t get into that program. i got a letter stating that i didn’t have enough prereqs completed and that others have been accepted that were done or nearly done. i am now being considered for two of their upcoming classes. it has been about 5 months since my miscarriage and now that i’m nearly done the prereqs, i am looking at everything with different eyes. i have spent a lot of time making friends with people that are also pursing nursing, so i’ve gotten some good advice and considered everything – cost, what transfers, length of time, start dates, how rigorous the programs are … right now, i feel like i can’t put my plan to start a family on hold because everything else is just too unpredictable. i saved my spot at that first school i looked at for an rn. but it doesn’t start for 1.5, although i am waitlisted to start a bit earlier. so, my husband and i are now trying. i am applying to a number of accelerated bsn schools. i even found one (not accelerated, but bsn) that is 2.5 years long and classes are nights and weekends. the program is intended for people with jobs and families, so i feel it is very manageable. i even feel comfortable trying to have a baby while in that program if it doesn’t happen right away. my mom is a nurse and she has told me that she has seen people accomplish their bsn and rn while pregnant. i have heard many stories about it being possible. right now, i’m just going to let it all fall into place and make the best decision when it is time to make a decision. perhaps i’ll go back to that original rn program, who knows. we’re trying to have a baby now, and in the meantime, i should hear back from schools. my suggestion is to concentrate on the prereqs. get them done. you can always wait a year to start your program if needed. you can always defer your start date if needed. just get started. i know the journey seems long, and that you’re sacrificing a lot. it is an emotional roller coaster, and it is not easy. i hope my story helps you. please keep me posted and good luck!