So Confused! MA to BSN to MSN hopefull but where in the heck do I start??

itsmejuli · Dec 25, 2009

I need 4 pre-reqs before I can apply to nursing programs (for ADN), which there are 5 within driving distance of me so I am hoping that I will get into 1 on my first try :)

If I were in your shoes I'd do the leg work and go to each of the colleges and talk to the academic advisers about their nursing programs and costs.

frnzy · Dec 25, 2009

I'm sure you must be feeling anxiety right now about choosing the "right" path. But maybe you already know that in so much of life, there isn't just one right path. My feeling is that if I were in your shoes I would continue along one of the trajectories until I got a job as the MA. I would do my best to get a job or transfer eventually to a job where they'd pay for my school. And here's why, not just that you wouldn't then need to take out loans, but that if they're paying for it, then they'll be flexible enough with your work schedule so you can succeed at school. They'll ~want~ you to do well if they're the ones paying for it.

You maybe already have a lot of the prereqs to get into a traditional BSN program somewhere. With your MA certificate, move somewhere within driving distance of 3 or 4 state universities (if you're not already) that have Junior level entrance into a traditional BSN program. After a couple more prereqs, you might only be 5 semesters away from a BSN. And if your employer was paying for it, you would also be able to work part time through a traditional program more easily than an accellerated one.

bigdreamsstartinSF · Dec 26, 2009

If I were in your shoes I'd do the leg work and go to each of the colleges and talk to the academic advisers about their nursing programs and costs.

Hi thanks for responding! I haven't gone to each college campus, but I have researched them on the net (and many others that didnt end up suiting me) and I already know of the cost and admission requirements (ex. pre-requisites) for each.

I know that the intial ADN will be cheaper for me and it is what I prefer. Im just hoping to get insight on how I should go about future plans or how other RNs went about furthering their education.

bigdreamsstartinSF · Dec 26, 2009

I'm sure you must be feeling anxiety right now about choosing the "right" path. But maybe you already know that in so much of life, there isn't just one right path. My feeling is that if I were in your shoes I would continue along one of the trajectories until I got a job as the MA. I would do my best to get a job or transfer eventually to a job where they'd pay for my school. And here's why, not just that you wouldn't then need to take out loans, but that if they're paying for it, then they'll be flexible enough with your work schedule so you can succeed at school. They'll ~want~ you to do well if they're the ones paying for it.
You maybe already have a lot of the prereqs to get into a traditional BSN program somewhere. With your MA certificate, move somewhere within driving distance of 3 or 4 state universities (if you're not already) that have Junior level entrance into a traditional BSN program. After a couple more prereqs, you might only be 5 semesters away from a BSN. And if your employer was paying for it, you would also be able to work part time through a traditional program more easily than an accellerated one.

What an excellent reply. I never thought about getting my employer to pay for school but your right there is tuition reimbursement apart of some benefit plans. Hopefully its apart of mine :) I am in driving distance of a few state schools. The only reason I havent considered them too much is that they each have more pre-requisites then the ADN program and some different ones at that. Ill be doing more research on this, thank you.