sweetbriar

Awesome! I just friended you! I'm Ashley Carroll :)

Well, if you're unable to retake your classes to change your grades at that school then retake them at another school, like a community college.

Thanks so much for your encouraging words!! Yes, it's the people that tell me that I'm going to "hate" nursing either because it's hard work or because I'm an introvert that really bug me. I honestly have no experience in nursing, so how can I know what I will love or hate? The only way I will ever find out is if I give it a try. For now, it feels like the right path for me and I have to pursue it for that reason. My boyfriend says he thinks I'll dislike it because I'm introverted and nursing is a "people" job. He's also concerned that nursing school will be very stressful and that after I graduate that I'll be working long hours. I think his fears stem from his own career choice and experience. He went to grad school for chemistry and hated it because it was so stressful. He says he often questions whether or not he made the right career choice and fears I'll be in the same boat with nursing school and after I become a nurse. I never know how to respond simply because I'm not a fortune-teller. I won't know what I'll think of the career until after I actually start doing it.

It warms my heart to see another SBC Vixen on here!!! #SaveSweetBriar! I ended up working at SBC for 4 years (still there) and will be working there up until June 30th. I'm going to finish up my last pre-req this summer (A&P I) and will be applying to the ADN program at Centra School of Nursing. My plan is to land a job as an RN and then do a bridge program for RN-BSN. I don't have those dolla-dolla billz to afford the second BSN. How'd you do it? Any financial aid? Scholarships?

Ahhh! I just saw this! A year later.... But, yes!!! I did graduate from SBC!!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post and then reply :) I'm hoping that people in my life will also be more supportive once they see how dedicated I am. My friends, on the other hand, are all psyched and have been encouraging from the beginning. A strong support network, especially right before you embark in a difficult program, is so important and I think even helps one succeed better. I think the hardest person I'll have to overcome is my granddad; he has never seen too keen on the idea, and I wrote him a diplomatically passionate e-mail yesterday informing him of my decision. He's usually quick to respond and hasn't, so that might mean he's not too happy about my final decision. Le sigh. But, I'll try not to assume the worst until I actually do hear back from him. Anyway, thanks again. My anxiety can be so ridiculous at times.

MT is a required pre-req for the program I'm looking at, so I took it last Fall. I thought it was a super fun, super easy class and it gets your feet wet. It won't hurt anything to take it -- what's not to love about getting more education? :)

This is going to be long, but I need to put it out there...get it out of my head. Any words of encouragement or realism are greatly appreciated. And thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this whole thing. Bless you. I've got one pre-req left (A&P) before I could apply to the ADN program here (it's all I can afford at this time)... and I'm scared sh**less. I had to drop the course last semester because I couldn't afford it due to an exceptionally high utility bill and having to get a car. I was planning on taking it in the Fall until just over 2 weeks ago I was informed that the place where I work will be closing on June 30th. The OH-SH*T meter went off in my head and I realized that I may have to speed up the process of getting my nursing degree. I've been teetering on the idea of going to nursing school, mostly because I've been listening to the opinions of others...perhaps too much...and money is a huge problem. My granddad apparently told one of my family members that "he didn't pay for part of my BA for me to become a nurse" (I'm a second-degree seeker). Ouch. My boyfriend thinks I'll be unhappy in the profession because of the long hours and stressful situations and so he's not 100% supportive. Double-ouch. The whole reason I even began thinking of nursing as a career is because 1) I freaking respect the hell out of nurses, 2) I consider myself a compassionate person and I genuinely love helping others, 3) I know it's a hard profession, but it honestly seems rewarding, 4) Our bodies are amazing and weird, and 5) I think I'd make a good nurse. So it hurts to hear so many naysayers...I'm not completely unaware of what difficulties lie in both nursing school and then actually entering the nursing world. Then there's the money... As a second-degree seeker, there aren't a plethora of scholarships out there, so I'm going to need to take out loans. I'm almost finished paying off my undergrad loans, but now I have a car note and various other living expenses. I made a spreadsheet of my "have-to" (rent, utilities, gas, etc.) expenses and it totals about $13k per year. Because of those things, I'd have to have a part-time job during nursing school. Quick question: What sort of jobs have y'all found to be the best while being a nursing student? Anyway...so I'm nervous. I'm nervous about dropping over $500 for a 5-week A&P course (I've never done a short summer session course before but the professor said she's willing to be flexible with me), trying to also find a job before June 30th, trying to find loans to cover nursing school, juggling nursing school and a part-time job, and all that without going bankrupt. I feel crazy. Am I crazy? No, scared. I feel scared. What the hell is that all about?

Again, you're making assumptions. Yes. Leadership is earned. Higher degrees teach you new information and actual experience teaches you how to use information. A person with little to no experience, regardless of degree, should not be in charge of someone with years of experience (regardless of their degree). Would you put a three year old in charge of an adult? Both are human but only one actually has the experience of the world under their belt. I'd be fine following the lead of a BSN with 20 years experience just as I would with an ADN with 20 years experience. Again, and for the last time, I have zero tolerance for your brand of degree elitism.

But, dear, I'm not. You're the one who came gallivanting in here arguing about how lower degrees shouldn't be in charge and that, somehow, a BSN magically affords someone with the wherewithal to govern others from day 1. Leadership is earned and then cultivated, not bestowed upon a green individual with no experience and a haughty head on their shoulders. And for your information, my first degree sits well with me, as will my second.

My god. Your way of "making me see logic" is by insulting my intelligence and assuming "facts" about me that you have no idea to be true? Must be that fiiiiiine higher education you have, sweetheart, that helps others see the errors of their ignorant ways. Get off your high horse, learn to be humble, and forego the assumptions. Sounds to me like you're bitterly envious of those who have earned positions based on their experience, knowledge, and ability to take charge without a higher degree. A piece of paper and some classes on leadership don't mean jack in the real world if you can't actually walk the talk.

Pfft. Just because someone has a higher degree than others does NOT mean that they are more competent than those with lower degrees. The person in charge, regardless of their degree, was put in charge for a reason. This educational elitism bull is ridiculous.

I think that's awesome. It's less about people *not* understanding it and more about people being *unwilling* to understand it.

I forgot to mention that the ADN program around here is about $20k or less, total, and the ABSN is about $40k total.

Pagan here. I've come into contact with quite a few nurses and EMTs who are pagan :)

Wow. I could not have expected more thoughtful replies than what you all have written. Thank you all so much! This has given me much to think about. I cut out both Internet and cable about 6 months ago and my cell bill is only $45 per month. I hardly ever eat out but I know that grocery bills are my biggest culprit since I do spend money on healthy food (even with buying store brand and non-organic products my weekly bill can be high for just one person). I will make that my first priority in cutting my current costs. I think my most "extravagant" monthly expense is my $45 monthly membership at my local climbing gym, but I'm a climber at heart and can't imagine being happy without it. As far as my car? It burns a ton of oil, is leaking both oil and transmission fluid, and has an engine problem. My mechanic said the cost to fix those issues would cost more than the worth of my car. He recommended I look for another car a few months ago, but I've been trying to milk whatever my car has left until I absolutely must get another one. My biggest, unavoidable expenses are old medical bills that I'm still paying on. I keep hoping that I'll see the end of the tunnel on those, but just when I think I'm almost done I get billed with some old crap from 6 months ago. The face I'm wearing does not match the panic and anxiety that I feel on a daily basis when it comes to my finances. I am so afraid of failing because of these expenses.

I've thought about doing CNA work while in nursing school, but the CNA course around here is 6 weeks long, every day, and costs over a thousand dollars to complete. Not to mention the fact that I'm making better money now than I would as a CNA. If I went that route then I'd have to not only out money aside for that course but also put money aside for living expenses for 6 weeks and for time after the course is completed until I find a CNA job. And it's not about me not "wanting it bad enough" - I certainly want it bad enough but am trying to make the most responsible financial decision. I very much admire those who were and are doing their programs in the manner that you have; you have clearly worked very hard for what you have achieved. I'm just unsure that your path to the nursing career will be the same as mine :)

Thank you both for your wonderful suggestions and reassurance! Since I already have a bachelor's degree, there are very few, if any, scholarships available to me. In cases like mine, the government is basically like, "We already helped you out once, so you're on your own for any other extra degrees." I'll definitely need to take out loans, but the ADN program I'm looking at is only about $20k total. I've been told that if I land a job at a hospital with my ADN then they may either pay for the rest of my education to get a BSN or give me scholarships. And I had forgotten that educational loans are often deferred when a person enters back into school, so that's definitely a plus! At this time I am unsure as to whether or not the ADN program has evening class options, but if they do then I'll be looking to work something closer to part time than full time. As far as help from family members? Very little, unfortunately, although I know they would help if they could. This is definitely one of those times in my life where I ask myself why I didn't get a more practical degree the first time around, haha. Ah, well. I spoke with my boyfriend last night about postponing our house buying at least for another year and he was very agreeable. We will still be moving in together but at least I'll be able to save money from sharing living costs with another person. Again, thank you for your suggestions and comments. If you have any more then feel free to toss them my way!

Dear all, I'm in a bit of a bind, emotionally and financially, and need advice from older individuals who are either in my same boat or have already been where I am. I'm nearly finished with the pre-reqs for the ADN program that I will be applying to in the near future. All I have left is my A&P class with the option of postponing my application for one more semester to go ahead and get A&P II out of the way. My problem? Adult life. While I have a full-time job, I am fully aware that I will most likely need to quit it while in nursing school and I am dead scared of how in the flipping world I am meant to live without any income. I'm still paying off the last bit of my loans from my first bachelor's degree, I need a newer car, and my boyfriend and I want to get a house together. I can foresee postponing the house buying part, but I'm in dire need of a newer car and I don't want to postpone my nursing education for much longer than necessary. The costs for everything is slowly driving me mad and I'm at a loss as to what I should do financially. All of those things will require large loans and I barely have anything in my bank account. I'm a frugal spender, but living expenses, college loans, pre-req courses and textbooks, and old medical bills are murdering my bank account. I had originally thought to do an ABSN but I simply cannot afford another bachelor's degree program, and the ADN program that I'm applying to is exponentially cheaper. My hope is to secure a job as an RN and then finish up my schooling for my ABSN while working (the salary would be much higher than what I'm making now, too, enabling me to pay loans, living costs, etc.). To the experienced adults in the forum, what am I missing? Do you have any advice as to how I can prioritize this list of large expenditures? Am I just crazy?

I thought I'd chime in on this since I'm from Virginia -- Lynchburg College has an accelerated BSN program and has a very good reputation for their nursing program. Centra Health (also located in Lynchburg) has a very nice ADN program. I'm in the same boat as you: BA in Religion and Philosophy, wanted to go to grad school for one of those but realized that the job market in academics is kaput, and decided that nursing would be a fabulous career change (for me, anyway). I'm currently taking pre-reqs for the Centra Health ADN program but with the realization that I may instead pursue the BSN program at LC since that program's pre-reqs are nearly the same as Centra's. I think the difference is that LC requires Chemistry as a pre-req. My mode of thinking is that I need to save money and the ADN program is much cheaper than the BSN program. But, hey, in the end it may be worth spending the extra penny for a more secure degree. Remember why we got in this boat in the first place - we got a somewhat dead-end degree (I never regret getting my BA in Religion and Philosophy, though) that doesn't have many options when it comes to the job market.