Tonight is my last night!

[augurey]

When I first started, I didn't understand the different accreditations at all. Last September I started an ACICS accredited school. From my understanding, it was fine since I could take the NCLEX.

The first semester went well, but I also started researching (based on some topics here) and finally understood the accreditations and exactly what attending an ACICS accredited school meant. There was another school I really wanted to apply to, but I didn't believe I'd get in. Once it sunk it that I'd possibly have a difficult time finding a job (not sure if ACICS education means more difficulty - it was an assumption) and most definitely have difficulty continuing my education, I decided to contact this other school to see what I needed to do to get accepted.

As the first semester was coming to an end, I also started researching my RN to BSN options. I have plans for my future, and I'd hate for them to be unattainable or difficult to attain because of my choice in school. The school I originally wanted to get into has an RN to BSN program that would accept me, but I'd have to take 4 additional classes before getting accepted into the RN to BSN program.

But the first semester seemed to go well. Nothing really out of the ordinary. Since starting second semester, though, things have changed. I'm well aware that there are politics and BS you have to put up with in just about any nursing program, but these things seemed more than that. I had been contemplating about switching schools and starting over, but I wasn't really sure what the best thing to do was.

I've since started researching it more, and then when about 10 major red flags popped up this week, it gave me the confidence to say this is what I need to do. I've been working with an admissions rep over the last couple of months, who has been a tremendous help. I've gone over with her all of my schooling, my current situation (didn't bad mouth the school at all - just explained that the accreditation concerns me with finding a job and continuing my education). I have 3 classes I need to take, and with those, she sees no reason why I wouldn't be a good candidate to be accepted.

Obviously it doesn't mean that I will get accepted, but it's at least given me the courage to take the classes and apply. After much discussion with my husband, after tonight's final, I'm done. I was originally thinking I can take the pre-reqs at the same time (just in case I didn't get in), but since I'd be starting over and these classes won't contribute to that in any way, it's just too expensive to do.

I'm absolutely terrified of this decision, but my husband is right about the cost, and it'll be well worth it if I get accepted. They affiliate with the hospital I'd like to get into. The campus is across the road where we do our clinicals. They've had several graduates get into the hospital. I feel like getting accepted into this school means a whole new world of opportunities that I'm not going to have if I continue where I'm at. If I don't get accepted, then we'll have to go from there.

I really wish I understood the different accreditations beforehand. It would have saved time and money, but I can't regret the decision I made to go to this school because it changed me in a positive way. I feel that this other school will be much more difficult, but based on the hard work I've done so far and the grades I've earned so far, I know I can do it if I put in the effort. I've discussed this with my husband and my family, and I have all of their support in this decision. Without their support I'm not sure I'd have the courage to do it.

Now I just have to figure out what I'm going to tell my school. I'm not so sure I want to tell them that I'm applying to another school, but I don't want to lie or burn my bridges with them. As I'm 12 weeks pregnant and due in September (the new and old school knows this), my family said to that I'm just taking time off for the pregnancy (Labs are starting the 7th and clinicals at the beginning of April). So, I don't know. I'm going to wait until tomorrow so I can gather my thoughts on this. I want to do it right.

[armymalenurse]

Sounds like you've thought this through well enough. Stay motivated. Don't worry about the old school. You know what's best for yourself. Good luck and congratulations on the upcoming addition to your family.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Personally, I think you have made the right decision. Just tell the present school that for personal reasons you need to withdraw at this time. End of story. Keep it simple.

Even when I have told members in the past about the pitfalls of a non nationally accredited school....most do not want to listen. You have clearly thought it out. Did your research and made a decision. You just had a critical thinking process as any good nurse would have!

You may find with a better instructed program that has qualified instructors the information might not be so difficult after all.

If you need anything we are here ((HUGS))

Congrats on the baby!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I do not think you need to tell the school anything. People transfer all the time. Make the most of your opportunity!

[augurey]

Thanks everyone :)

It was a very scary decision, but I feel like I'll be glad that I made it, provided I get accepted into this new school. There have been only a few times where I've had to make decisions like this, ones that scare me and leave me uncertain of how it's going to pan out, but they've all turns out to be the best decisions I could have ever made. So, going off my history of making these kinds of big decisions, I'm hoping this falls in place like the others have.

I met with the school this afternoon, and it went really well. So it thankfully ended on a peaceful note.

I've already enrolled and started my pre-requisits and will be attending an information meeting for the school on the 14th, so I'm just hoping this all works out in the end. I've decided that, once I'm done with my pre-reqs and am hopefully accepted, I'm probably going to review the things in A&P that I never fully got down. I'll be re-taking A&P with this school. They'll have A&P broken up into 2 semesters, which seems common. This school had it all crammed into 1 semester, so we were pretty much taught the important points, so I know they'll be much more in depth there, so I want to make sure I have the high points down so that it's hopefully easier to get the rest.