Should I Take the Chance/Sacrifice?

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Specializes in ER.

Big, big decision to make. Will have all pre-reqs to BSN program finished at end of fall semester. Have been LPN for 5+ years. Committed relationship for 3. School I am currently in does not start another BSN program until next fall (that's one year from this month). Then I will have 2 years to finish program and then hoping to get into DNP program shortly thereafter. My only child is now freshman in college. Time to work on me for a change.

Question is: other schools in the state have BSN program starting in Spring semester. I have until Sept 1 or Oct 1 to apply to these programs. High expectation of getting accepted. All of these schools are 2 to 4 hours away which would require relocation on my part. SO is not willing to move due to career issues and having young son of own who is very much settled in this community/school system. Promises to be here for me if I choose to relocate for 2 years and will visit on weekends. Will stand behind me regardless of decision.

Relationship is of course not free of problems. Have had times over last 3 years when I contemplated getting out, like everyone does, I'm sure. Currently, things going well. Question is: do I put my goals/aspirations on hold for another year, which will make it 3 years before BSN is obtained or do I take a chance that we are strong enough to survive this and go for it so I can be finished in 2 years? I know this decision is mine and mine alone; but need some input from those wiser (and possibly older? Did I mention I'm already 38? Time's a wasting!)

Thanks in advance!!

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As for applying to other programs that are 2-4 hours away....how often will you have class? In my program, I am only in class about 3 days a week and also have classes online. I think it would be worth a 2 hour drive if you only have to travel no more than 3 days a week. But that's me, and it would also depend on how much the cost difference it is compared to the program near home. There's no harm in applying just to see what happens. As for the relationship....if it's meant to be it'll work out. You probably hear that a lot, but it's true. If he/she really loves you, he/she will support you. Why would you put things on hold for an additional year? If you are going to do it, JUST DO IT! Sorry I may not give you the input you are looking for (I am not older and wiser-hehe). Good luck to you and hope everything works out for you!

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I'm older, not sure about wiser. School will always be there. SO's and strong relationships are harder to find, and harder to maintain!! Wait the one year out, and cherish the friendship and love you have now, tomorrow isn't promised.

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I'm about to start my second semester in Nursing School, far as the relationship, I wouldn't base your decision on that, the reason I say that is because once your in Nursing School, you'll be way too busy to have a whole lot of time for them anyway. I would go ahead and apply for the schools starting in Spring, and go to whichever one accepts you, (Nursing school is super tough to get into), I would probably go ahead and apply to the one as well that starts a year from now. The reason i say go to whichever one accepts you is because about 2 years ago, I had one school in mind that I wanted to get into, I applied to only that school, I didn't get accepted that year and I also hadn't applied anywhere else, so I had to wait a whole year again to apply. Then the next year came around, I applied to 3 different schools and again didn't get accepted to the one I initially wanted, but got my second choice...my point on this is I could be in my last semester right now vs my second if I had applied to more than one the first time around...good luck:-)

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I'm not older, but I had to make a similar decision. I started dating an absolutely wonderful guy in Nov 2008. About a week after our first kiss I got the call that I was accepted to the nursing school of my choice -- in Sacramento. (I'm in Southern California). Of course he asked why i didn't go to school here. But ultimately we both understood that this was my dream and a month later I moved 8 hrs away. It was a little scary since it was at the very beginning of the relationship but we made it. We saw each other at least once a month. And I just knew from the start that we would make it because he is absolutely wonderful. Im back home now and I'm glad I took the chance.

Tough what Leelee says is true, that relationships are the most important thing. SO's should also desire the other to achieve their dreams. My bf and i worked hard to maintain close and grow our relationship despite the distance, I absolutely know he cherishes me. He has proven that.

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My vote: "take a chance that we are strong enough to survive this and go for it so I can be finished in 2 years."

Big, big decision to make. Will have all pre-reqs to BSN program finished at end of fall semester. Have been LPN for 5+ years. Committed relationship for 3. School I am currently in does not start another BSN program until next fall (that's one year from this month). Then I will have 2 years to finish program and then hoping to get into DNP program shortly thereafter. My only child is now freshman in college. Time to work on me for a change.

Question is: other schools in the state have BSN program starting in Spring semester. I have until Sept 1 or Oct 1 to apply to these programs. High expectation of getting accepted. All of these schools are 2 to 4 hours away which would require relocation on my part. SO is not willing to move due to career issues and having young son of own who is very much settled in this community/school system. Promises to be here for me if I choose to relocate for 2 years and will visit on weekends. Will stand behind me regardless of decision.

Relationship is of course not free of problems. Have had times over last 3 years when I contemplated getting out, like everyone does, I'm sure. Currently, things going well. Question is: do I put my goals/aspirations on hold for another year, which will make it 3 years before BSN is obtained or do I take a chance that we are strong enough to survive this and go for it so I can be finished in 2 years? I know this decision is mine and mine alone; but need some input from those wiser (and possibly older? Did I mention I'm already 38? Time's a wasting!)

Thanks in advance!!

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That is a tough decision. I don't know what the right decision is for you but I was wondering if there are other options. Are there any LPN to RN programs near you or even an ADN program that perhaps you could start this year? I went the ADN route and iwas accepted to a RN to MSN program before I graduated. The ADN took 2 years (1 if I had been an LPN already) and the RN to MSN is 3 years (first year I'll earn BSN, 2 years for MSN) with an option to finish one semester sooner if I take summer a summer course.

It may not be something you are interested in but thought I would throw it out there.

Good Luck in whatever you decide.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I realize that this is off the topic, but even though the first part of your username is "hope it works," I think it's very misleading to have it end with DNP when in fact you are an LPN.

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I would apply to the program nearby and the ones 2-4 hrs away. If I got into a program further away, that started sooner, I would go. Your partner says they support whatever decision, and it sounds like getting done sooner is something that's very important to you. If, for whatever reason, your relationship can't handle the distance and stress of school, how would it have handled other stress down the road anyway?

(My boyfriend of 3 1/2 years and I decided last year that if I didn't get into a local program, but did get into one out of state, that I would definitely go. Well, more like I decided this, and he supported me. My relationship is important to me, and I hope to marry him one day, but I also expect him to support me in whatever aspirations I have, and vice versa. If our relationship couldn't handle some distance, then it probably wasn't strong enough to last anyway.)

Good luck in whatever you decide!

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I realize that this is off the topic, but even though the first part of your username is "hope it works," I think it's very misleading to have it end with DNP when in fact you are an LPN.

Don't be silly... This is no different from FutureRN, HopeitworksRN, etc. It's not like she has it on her name tag. I guess your mother never taught you "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all!".:yeah:

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Have had times over last 3 years when I contemplated getting out, like everyone does, I'm sure. Currently, things going well.

Not that relationships are always easy but don't kid yourself to think that "everyone does" comtemplate "getting out" because that is a pretty strong term imo. No clue what prompted you to feel that way but I'd consider it a huge red flag and follow your head when it comes to your future career plans. Personally I'd go for my ADN because community college is cheap, you could do that in a year, make more money and have more opportunities while you continue on with your career. Good luck.

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

Can you get your LPN somewhere close by and take RN online? I have a friend who did that.

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