Blondie26

This post inspired me to check out volunteer oportunities in my own area. I looked and they have an opening in the ER transporting patients, being a liason between staff and families and completing paperwork. I wonder what type of paperwork I will do? I volunteered before when I was 15, seven years ago, in the nursery in a hospital in Tucson when I used to live there. I hated it! I loved working with the babies, feeding and holding them. The nurses made me get them lunch and get them something to drink if they wanted it! :stone I think because I was so young I couldn't really stand up for myself. If the mothers or fathers came into the nursery and needed water etc. I would get it for them but the nurses? I don't know if anyone has had a volunteer experience like that? :chuckle Oh well, I'm looking forwrd to starting my new volunteer experience!

I'm in agreement that people with ADN degrees can be just as good of nurses as those with BSN's. My mom got her ADN from a CC in the Minneapolis area and she's a great nurse and has had many opportunities throughout her career. I don't know if I am reading some people's opinions the wrong way but it seems as though some people think getting a BSN first seems foolish. For me there is no other option than to get my accelerated BSN (18 mo. total). I could get my ADN from a school 50 miles away but I would have to get my LPN first (2.5-3yrs total). It will obviously be more expensive but for the amount of time I spend working part-time while in school for 3 yrs makes up for it in my mind. I think that CC is a good choice for many (especially when it comes to location) but bottom line is the quality of education. I wish I could find a quality CC in my area but unfortunately the closest one is again an hour away. Like many other people I'm not going to uproot myself if I have a good program already available to me. In my case I believe I will get an excellent educational and clinical experience from the BSN program I selected and to me that's worth the extra expense (and not having to drive an hour to school!)

History and Political Science :)

It must depend a lot on what part of the country you are from...I live on the Minnesota/North Dakota border and in my area the closest ADN program is about an hour away! We do however have two BSN programs around. Also, the hospitals around here always say "BSN preferred" in their job descriptions so I'm confused. I wish I could just get an ADN but unless I want to move there are no other options!

I think we need a support group for this fall! We can call ourselves the "Chem Cowards" :chuckle. Kidding! With some studying and determination and a little support we can do it.

I didn't really know where to put this thread...I have heard some pretty negative things about Accelerated (second degree) nursing programs. Things like they are really tough, leave you unprepared etc. I am starting one soon and am beginning to really get freaked out . I'm starting to think that going to a community college might be better. Are accelerated programs really too much to handle? My program is 18-months long so not too short but they still expect you not to work. Is this an impossible feat?! And also do I really need to be good at science to be a good nurse????

I feel the same way! I graduated with History and Political Science degrees and I have no idea how I'll do in Chem/Biology. I'm TERRIBLE at science courses. Hopefully with studying it will make some sense...Good luck!

Thanks for everyone's input! To Reese_Cup, I am going to Concordia in Moorhead. Although, my cousin went to North Hennepin for her RN and liked it, she just graduated this May.

Hi! I am starting an accelerated second degree BSN program in MN soon. I am so nervous :uhoh21:. I was just wondering if anyone has ever been through an accelerated program? What were your experiences? Did you feel prepared after you finished? I have heard a bunch of different things...If anyone has any insight it would be appreciated!

i just graduated with a degree in history in 2004. i am really excited to start nursing school (accelerated bsn) soon! i think that having a bachelor's degree in another area will maybe help, i suppose it depends on the person and their degree.