Unsure of whether to do an accelerated BSN program

[gett34]

Hello,

I'm just looking for any advice on my current situation, for a decision I've been struggling to make.

I'm 27 years old, and currently have a bachelor in business management. I've had a couple office jobs in purchasing and financial analysis since I graduated 5 years ago, and I struggle to see myself continuing to work in an office setting. The days get so boring and monotonous. So, I was looking to nursing as a potential career change that would bring more excitement and fulfillment, and some intellectual stimulation. I was recently accepted into an accelerated 1 year BSN program, but now that the program is about to start, I'm getting cold feet.

I've been reading a lot of negative things online about under staffing, high patient loads, nurses burning out, no time to take a lunch, and on top of all this, I keep reading about the difficulties of new graduate RN's not being able to find jobs. I was thinking it might even be more difficult for me to find a job since I also have no previous clinical experience.

Now I'm starting to think that spending the $35,000 for the program, and losing at least a year's salary (I have to quit my job to do the program) could end up being a very bad decision. The main reasons I looked to switch careers to nursing were solid pay, job stability, it not being as boring as office jobs I've had, and the thought that helping people would be more fulfilling then crunching numbers. Could anyone give me some advice based on my situation? Am I reading too much into the online negativity on some threads?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

[jenfro]

I work in a hospital and honestly, the nurses don't seem to be understaffed, but that may just be the hospital I am at. The only time they were was during the holidays, but we all were then.

Nurses do have a high burn out rate mainly because it is a high stress job.

As for unemployment...I have had two friends go through accelerated programs, and both took on part time patient care intern/associate jobs after their first semester of clinicals. Just one or two shifts a week on the weekends, nothing huge. This wasn't to live on or anything, but it was to get experience. After they graduated they were hired on as RN's by the hospitals they worked in as PCAs. Even so, here in Indiana, there are numerous RN job listings.

I think the benefits would outweigh the cost, and that's why I'm working on my prereqs for accelerated programs. You could always do a job shadow or something too, just to see how you like it. Since I started working at the hospital I am more motivated than ever to get started with nursing school!