Should I Even Try Becoming An RN?

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I am a veery young college student taking associate of arts pre-reqs at Edmonds Community College. Im in the Running Start program which is college in high school, so basically just early college. I will be 18 in a few short months and I need to move out asap and I will have no help paying for new classes of which I choose.

So, since I have stated that I have not began any specific career classes and that I will be investing into my education very soon, I am worried that my choice to become an RN is a big mistake. I keep reading on so many big-time magazines/newsletters that we have a nursing shortage and blabla, yet I keep reading very recent articles and threads of BSN graduates finding NO work. I keep reading of desperation and hopelessness JUST TO FIND A JOB.

I think of myself being a nurse in pediatrics and my heart flutters at the thought of helping children. I have always loved working with people, especially little kiddos and babies. I thrive in customer service because of my social skills and the ability to work extremely well under pressure. That being said, I will have to probably retake my prereqs just to be considered in a nursing program, then I will have to move onto a BSN, etc. Im realizing that becoming a nurse is not just a degree, its an expensive and draining commitment.

So to wrap up my spiel and actually ask my question, to be or not to be an RN? any RN's want to tell me the realities of the professional world after graduating? Will I be able to find work? Im scared and unsure.

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Specializes in Public Health.

Take my advice, do well the first time. Get your A's the first time. You have no credit and no credit is better than bad credit.

Second, get your BSN now. Why get an ADN if you have nothing stopping you from getting your bachelors?

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Take my advice do well the first time. Get your A's the first time. You have no credit and no credit is better than bad credit. Second, get your BSN now. Why get an ADN if you have nothing stopping you from getting your bachelors?[/quote']

If she has to get a job pronto, she probably doesn't have the four years to wait for the same RN she could get in two through the ADN program.

You could always go for your BSN while looking/working as an RN. The job market really depends on where you are. I'm pretty close to NYC, so I'm well aware that I may have to move to get that first job experience.

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Specializes in NICU.

You will have more financial assistance available to you once you move out on your own. Look into government student loans, grants, and scholarships. Avoid private loans if possible. Go for your BSN and not ASN. It is better to go to school once (BSN) than to have to go back when it isn't necessarily convenient for you later (RN-BSN).

The problems with new grads finding jobs is primarily in saturated states and metro areas with many nursing schools close by.

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Come January, the FAFSA will become available for the 2014-2015 school year. DO IT. This is the key to getting federal funding. Also, many scholarship entities will request your FAFSA, so it's good to have it already done. Note that you will need your parental information because you will still be considered a "dependent" student until you are 24 years old, get married, or have a dependent of your own.

We live in a similar area in Washington (I'm further north than you.) From the jobs that I've looked at, a BSN is what you want if you plan to work in a hospital. You are so young, so power through that BSN! You can complete your direct transfer degree at Edmonds and then transfer to one of the universities like UW, WSU, ect. I say this because from doing running start, you probably have a lot of your general ed done and are that much closer to your BSN.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

The one difficult/irritating thing about the FAFSA is that it asks for parental information as it seems to expect that parents will contribute to school. If there's some way that you can show that you won't be getting any financial assistance from your parents, then you have a very good chance at getting FAFSA-connected loans and grants to pay for school. In my particular case, since I have a Bachelor's degree, all I qualify for is a tuition fee waiver. Just having the tuition fees waived helps, but I would be much happier with scholarships and grants that would pay for my costs of living, books, etc so that I wouldn't have to work while going to school.

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Specializes in Public Health.

Also. What does a job have to do with the type of degree? Nothing. It takes the same amount of time no matter what you do. You might as well do it now before life gets in the way

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If she has to get a job pronto she probably doesn't have the four years to wait for the same RN she could get in two through the ADN program. You could always go for your BSN while looking/working as an RN. The job market really depends on where you are. I'm pretty close to NYC, so I'm well aware that I may have to move to get that first job experience.[/quote']

Since when does an ADN only take 2 years? With pre-req's it's more like 3-4. Adding in possible wait lists and who knows how long it will take.

OP, I would do your research about schools in your area (NCLEX pass rates, accreditations, reputation) and make your decision based on that plus what the job market is like in your area. Here in NV, it's still possible to get a decent job with and ADN, in CA, not so much. Good luck.

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Since when does an ADN only take 2 years? With pre-req's it's more like 3-4. Adding in possible wait lists and who knows how long it will take. OP I would do your research about schools in your area (NCLEX pass rates, accreditations, reputation) and make your decision based on that plus what the job market is like in your area. Here in NV, it's still possible to get a decent job with and ADN, in CA, not so much. Good luck.[/quote']

At my school it's completely doable in 2. I decided to do it in three, but there's a few girls in my class doing the 2 year route. It is, of course, different in different areas of the country and dependent on the school.

And I agree, always do your research for a few different schools before jumping in!

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