second chance at nursing school

[aflac381]

i was previously in a bsn program last spring 2010. however, i quit the bsn program due to personal reasons. at that point, i was devastated that i blew an opportunity to make something of myself. however, the tide turned this year. i told myself that i had a bad run in the bsn program and i wanted to make amends. i decided to re-apply again for nursing school. this time, i applied to 2 adn programs and got accepted into both of them. one adn program was 30 miles away from home. the other adn program was only 7 miles. i definitely chose the adn that was 7 miles away. with everything said, the one thing that i am worried is that i feel i will have a target on my back. in other words, how will the adn nursing program look at me despite being in a previous bsn program?

side note: i have been accepted into this adn program for this fall 2011 semester. i will be going part-time only due to i already have my gen-ed's all completed. i only have to worry about the nursing core classes, in which the adn program has 8 courses. the good thing about this is that i can focus 2 courses per semester.

any feedback?

[caliotter3]

Don't talk about your previous school experience in class. If you don't bring it up, there is no reason for it to be a factor. Your behavior will dictate how you are treated.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree with caliotter3. Don't mention it to your classmates and instructors. Take each day as it comes and accept what they have to teach you with an open attitude.

If your previous can't be avoided ... brush it off with a minimal comment. Say something like, "Yes, I took a few classes, but I had to change my plans for personal reasons. This program suits my needs better and I am just trying to do the best I can like everyone else." Reheorifice a few lines like that so that you will be prepared to handle any questions or comments.

If you don't make a big deal about it ... you'll give no one else a reason to make a big deal about it.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Why would they have accepted you, only to paint a target on your back? They accepted you because they wanted you in your program.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Just say you no longer can afford the BSN, and didn't apply for the ADN because you thought the competition would keep you out. Hey, way back I took prereqs with people who ended up being unable to get in the ADN I'm in, their only choice was BSN. Sad, I had imagined the whole time that we'd be in school together.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

I doubt anyone would care. If you are worried, don't mention it.

[Moogie]

I don't think you will have any problems. However, I will caution you to not make too many comments, if any, about your previous program. You will be repeating some content, but don't say anything like, "Oh, I learned this already in my BSN program" or "This is different from what it was in my BSN program". Someone who makes statements like that could give the impression of being arrogant or a "know-it-all" and that will put a target on your back faster than anything.

I had a student once who was a CNA at the hospital at which she did her clinicals. She knew everything and made darned sure that her classmates and I were aware of her vast expertise. Everything we did in skills lab, why, she had already done it on the floor. The nurses "let" her do caths and dressings and hang IVs because she was a student nurse and they all knew how amazing she was. (Yeah, right.) Her arrogance was frustrating to her fellow students and exasperating to me as the instructor. I never targeted her but I can say that I was mighty happy when the semester was done. Having that student in my class was like a semester-long Maalox moment!

Don't be that student and you'll be fine. Sounds to me like you are very grateful for a second chance and that you will do well. You certainly don't have to lie about having been in another program but a simple "I wasn't ready for the responsibility at the time" or "I had to drop out for personal reasons" should suffice.

Congratulations on getting accepted into two programs and making the decision to carry on with your career. I think you will be very successful!

[netglow, ASN, RN]

oops. to clarify, I've graduated. Coffee, I need coffee.

[WillowNMe]

I would not bring it up - I originally went to a different school for three weeks and was at first petrified to bring it up... Naturally six years later I know that it really didn't matter then.

Also, kudos for going back. It took me two tries to get through the BSN program I am in. I did go through a time after the first run, there was no way I was returning - to that school or to nursing... My mentor told me to take a chill pill and think about it later. I did just that, and I ended up going through the mess to get back in - re-applying, going in front of a board, bringing my parents and mentor in front of the board, working my orifice off to get back in (along with spending way too much money on additional schooling... yikes.) and am finally graduating in May. It IS worth keeping with it... Even if it means going back for your ADN :)

With both of the above experiences, I can tell you that yes there are certain people you need to bring it up to - but for the most part... it really doesn't matter. I think the person it bothers the most is us :) Best I can tell you is to come to terms with it yourself and move on with your chin up.

PS: I am in total agreement with Moogie.