BJS2013

I agree with the previous poster about grammar and syntax. It was difficult to read and not college-level writing. In all honesty, that's what you need to work on first. If your essay is too difficult to read because of the way it is written, they won't read past the first paragraph. I hope you don't take offense to this! You should have a writing center on campus and they can assist you there. Or perhaps you have a friend who writes well and will help you.

PurpleLover, I'm confused by your response. If you read my entire post, I clearly wrote that I am aware I am talking about one individual and that there are nurses out there who have wanted to be nurses forever that are wonderful at their jobs. I never said there was anything wrong with it. I just think this idea that you need to have a fiery passion to be successful and happy is just not true.

I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but here we go: I don't know that I have a passion for nursing. I like to help people and I have always worked with people and vulnerable populations (kids, mentally and medically ill). I toyed with the idea of being a nurse when I was younger, but lacked confidence. I am older now, more confident and I have a family to provide for. I'm not running through a meadow, dancing and singing because I'm finally pursing my passion. My family is my passion. I think nursing is a smart career choice for me, especially considering where my life has taken me. I know a few people who are passionate about nursing. Who wanted to do it since they were kids. And you know what? I would run screaming from the hospital if any of them were my nurse. They have this "Grey's Anatomy" fantasy idea of it all--if they're not working on something interesting or intense, they don't care. One of these people is a family member and she said some pretty terrible things to me in regard to an elderly woman she had to "baby-sit" for hours during her shift for monitoring purposes. And "nursing" is her passion? I KNOW that this is just one person and I am in no way trying to generalize or stereotype anyone. I am certain there are many nurses out there who have had a passion for the profession for years and are wonderful at their jobs. The bottom line is that no one can determine what is right for you except you. But just because you haven't wanted to be a nurse since birth doesn't mean you can't be a good one. And just because your parents suggested nursing doesn't mean it wouldn't be a good career choice. You need to really think about what you want out of life and a career and then decide. But people saying that this needs to be your "passion" are wrong, IMHO.

Thank you all for the info and encouragement! I am not opposed to getting my BSN at some point, but ideally I would like to complete it while working as an RN. I know some hospitals offer to pay for some or all of the tuition, which would obviously be a great help. We have 2 hospitals in our state that are Magnet. The one I would be most interested in working for (closest to me) has several nursing positions open. They all state BSN preferred OR enrollment in a BSN program within one year and completion of it within five. That does give me hope, although that could change at any time. I do think that financially, getting my ADN is what works. I only work part time at the moment and take care of my infant son. We are pretty stretched as far as funds go--hence the reason I'm looking to make a change!

Hi everyone, I am looking for a career change and I believe getting my ADN and becoming an RN may be right for me. I currently have a B.A. in Sociology and have worked in social work and with children for most of my adult life. I am also a new mom. I am able to take courses at my local community college for "free" (fees-only) because my father is tenured there. He has offered to pay those fees if I do the nursing program. I already have 15 of the required credits under my belt from my B.A. I know that school will be TOUGH, but that is a leg up and I won't have to worry about getting more loans to cover costs. I am trying to read about the negatives before I fully commit. I know a lot of people have written about competing with BSNs for jobs. A job search in my area only yielded 2 jobs that said BSN "preferred" (and that's different from "required"). I also have read a lot about people getting jaded (i.e. "I thought I was going to help people, not deal with drug addicts"). My hx is dealing with drug addicts and I learned early on that the notion of helping people, while admirable, is not always real life. At 2.5 times the pay of a social worker, I don't mind continuing to work with drug addicts/seekers. I've worked with aggressive kids and teens. I've been spit on, had to restrain clients. I know better than to look at being a nurse through rose-colored glasses. I feel like this would be a smart financial decision for myself and my family, but it's not without risk and it is definitely a leap! I did not think I would be considering going back to school anytime soon, especially not for an ADN. Is anyone else in a similar situation? What made you say "yes, I should do this"?