Should I start nursing school this May?

loveanesthesia · Apr 17, 2020

Hospitals do not want to interrupt new nurses from graduating down the line. But it depends on the area of the country. New York is going to take awhile, other areas will be opening up sooner.

joe090909 · Apr 17, 2020

I'm in Connecticut. We've been badly affected by COVID. But that is a good point you bring up, but I'm just not sure if bringing in more students would pose a risk of increasing the spread.

loveanesthesia · Apr 17, 2020

Nursing students shouldn't make a difference in the spread, because you should be appropriately protected. I think the accreditors are allowing more simulation hours, but you will need some hospital based clinical hours. I would discuss with your program.

Do you know for sure they will hold your spot? not all nursing programs will, so I wouldn't assume that unless you have it in writing.

joe090909 · Apr 17, 2020

I would have to ask them, but given the circumstances I feel that they will. I asked them about clinicals but they just said as soon as they receive approval, they'd bring us back in but for now everything will be online. Seems like they're not sure too when everything will go back to normal. But until the university reopens up, we won't be able to use the simulation lab at the school. It's not that I don't like online classes.. I just want to make sure I am getting the best experience from nursing school, so I'm well prepared to enter the profession.

MsMartina · Apr 24, 2020

I'm in a program now in the Boston area. Pretty much any and all clinicals are on hold. Even when they open up, if they open up, in the Fall, this next year is going to be a really bumpy ride.

I would defer, defer, defer.

tteeheara · Apr 24, 2020

Ahhh, the post I was looking for because I too am supposed to start a 15 month ABSN program in May and I am quite nervous as well for the same reasons as you. I am considering asking for a deferral.

I am also nervous because so many people are out of work and I am voluntarily leaving a job during a health crisis asking for some of the resources in which people that were laid off need. I feel a little guilty and wish washy. My state of mind is also not in a great place because I currently have a close family member in ICU and they are claiming that the outcome is very grim and I've had other people around me that have lost their lives to COVID.

Thank you for your post. It helps to know that I am not the only one nervous and trying put on a brave face.

joe090909 · Apr 24, 2020

I decided to just stick with it and go for it. I'm hoping for the best, but I'm also getting a little worried.. feel like I should have just deferred until next year. But that would mean I have to wait a whole year to start nursing. In your case, I would probably think about it. You really want to make sure that your mental health is all good before entering an accelerated program because it's going to be stressful.

carti, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2020

23 hours ago, joe090909 said:
I decided to just stick with it and go for it. I'm hoping for the best, but I'm also getting a little worried.. feel like I should have just deferred until next year. But that would mean I have to wait a whole year to start nursing. In your case, I would probably think about it. You really want to make sure that your mental health is all good before entering an accelerated program because it's going to be stressful.

there ain't no telling what will happen next year. Experts say this may last until 2022. If I was in your shoes, I would go for it and stick with your ABSN route. If you aren't allowed at clinical sites, you may need to do online modules or simulation labs at your school instead. A whole year of lost nursing wages is a lot for sure. Goodluck and be ready to rock & roll soon, accelerated programs ain't no joke !

Lynker, LPN · Apr 26, 2020

On 4/24/2020 at 1:54 PM, MsMartina said:
I'm in a program now in the Boston area. Pretty much any and all clinicals are on hold. Even when they open up, if they open up, in the Fall, this next year is going to be a really bumpy ride.
I would defer, defer, defer.

I'm in the Boston area as well, and our clinicals went online with case studies and virtual simulations.

I guess my situation is different though, as I'm already an LPN and practice as one.

If it was my decision, I would still go to school. No time to waste in this life, and thus is why I'm still in RN school online myself.

Siriusly29 · Apr 28, 2020

On 4/24/2020 at 4:49 PM, joe090909 said:
I decided to just stick with it and go for it. I'm hoping for the best, but I'm also getting a little worried.. feel like I should have just deferred until next year. But that would mean I have to wait a whole year to start nursing. In your case, I would probably think about it. You really want to make sure that your mental health is all good before entering an accelerated program because it's going to be stressful.

This is a little bit late, but I’d definitely go ahead and start in May. I’m not sure about your program, but for both my LPN and ADN programs we had clinicals up until a month before graduation. I know you wouldn’t get as many in person clinicals, but there’s a good chance you’ll still be able to attend later down the line.

joe090909 · Apr 28, 2020

I actually changed my mind and decided to wait a year to begin. Considering that there may be second waves of shutdown once things reopen up, it seems like a good amount of time of my program may be affected. Personally, I am going to use this year to start preparing and gaining more clinical experience prior to nursing school. Maybe will even take an EMT class?