Would it be best to go for the BSN or ADN in my situation?

chiromed0 · Mar 18, 2010

Heck, why nursing? If you've got to take all those basic sciences anyway and if you have a 3.2 + GPA then take the MCAT and apply to UNT-HSC and be a D.O.

Getting back to you're point if you're not paying the bills then BSN, otherwise go ADN and get working as a nurse. Then if you want BSN or MSN you can always do a myriad of online (on your own time) programs. There's tons of them and not all of them include Organic Chem & Biochem. I've taken all those courses and more but most of the programs I've seen are mostly more theory courses from ADN to BSN. Organic and Biochem aren't easy...mostly weed out courses for Pre-Meds (You need to know it for advanced Pharm/Tox etc.).

Cammer · Mar 19, 2010

I'm not sure that becoming a physician is the best choice in the current economic environment. Ten years from now you will have a medical degree, which might be nice, but you will have also accumulated a couple hundred thousand dollars of debt that you will have to pay off. Then you have the uncertainty of the current healthcare reform along with the absolute certainty of reimbursements decreasing. Becoming a physician is not the great thing that it was 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago. However, if it is what you decide to do because you think you will love it then go for it. It can be a great career, but it will never be an easy road. You will need to be dedicated.

Back to your original question - other than the physician (DO) advice, I completely agree with chiromed0. Finish your BSN if you can afford to do it now, otherwise get your ASN and get licensed to work as an RN while you do the rest.

I don't know the academic requirements of the flight nurse job. That would depend on the specific company and the job description. For example fixed wing versus helicopter? Routine transport versus emergency calls? Search the web for this type of info. One thing is for sure, a BSN will make you more marketable for that type of position.

One more thing, don't get hung up on your age. You are definitely NOT behind the curve at 26/27 years old. Don't worry about your age. When I went through my ASN program I was 37 and it was my second career. I was not the oldest in my class. In fact, the average age was about 27-28. You are right on target with your education. Just finish it and don't feel pressured about getting it done by some self-imposed age related deadline. :)

PMFB-RN, RN · Mar 19, 2010

You absolutely do not need a BSN to be a flight nurse. It's probably the place in health care where they care the least about how you learned what you know and care the most that you know it. Oncology nursing will not get you to flight nursing. If you want flight you need to work ICU.

I would go with the one that gets you an RN license the fastest.

I can't believe all the classes you have to take just for nursing. Seems like a lot of waste to me.

tewdles, RN · Mar 19, 2010

you absolutely do not need a bsn to be a flight nurse. it's probably the place in health care where they care the least about how you learned what you know and care the most that you know it. oncology nursing will not get you to flight nursing. if you want flight you need to work icu.
i would go with the one that gets you an rn license the fastest.
i can't believe all the classes you have to take just for nursing. seems like a lot of waste to me.

are you joking here?

chiromed0 · Mar 19, 2010

Only suggested D.O. b/c of age & pre-reqs. Texas schools, comparatively, are pretty cheap. UNT-HSC tuition & books is about $18K/yr. If one already lives here it's certainly doable. Anyway, personally, I'd suggest nursing also unless you've got your heart set on a medical specialty like "I want to be a surgeon" type of thing. Nurses can earn significant income with less time in education, less risk and more recognition.

Anyway, consensus seems to be get into nursing ASAP then figure out the BSN/MSN thing. No sense (believe me) in taking classes you'll never use (practically) when you do most of your learning OTJ. I have taken 2 Biochems, 2 Gen Chems & 2 Org Chems and other than being able to "comprehend" what is going on chemically it really didn't affect the practical use of the information. Seems like overkill for the UTA program and I doubt if later anyone cares you got your BSN with chems or not. Look at TWU's programs in Denton...it's not just a women's school (I wish they'd change the name!).

Good luck.

PMFB-RN, RN · Mar 19, 2010

Are you joking here?

Not at all. Why should anyone have to take (per the OP) two biology classes, two chem, organic chem, bio chem and nutrition just to start out at $20 and hour as a floor nurse? I wouldn't. My friends who have gone to CRNA school didn't have that much science in their nursing program.

A&P, micro and one chem class is more than enough to give one the background needed to be a nurse. We all know we don't learn to be nurses in school, we learn OJT. Nursing school just gives us the background needed to learn.

Kosis · Mar 19, 2010

Thanks for the responses :)

I think I will go forward with my BSN. If I wasn't so close I'd probably try for the ADN.. but I have put soo many years in so far.

This may sound like a dumb question, but do these schools add up only the pre-reqs needed for that program only, or do they add up all of your classes (even ones unrelated)?

I have about a 3.0 with all of my classes, but last night I added up the pre-reqs for UTA's Nursing program and it came out to be a 3.5. This isn't including any of the Natural Science classes they listed, and so far I have completed intro Biology and currently taking Biology II.

But in my first Bio class I made a C and in this class I've made two low test grades so far. I'm in a study group and knew the material, but panic during tests. What are some good ways to study? Normally I read the chapters and write out key points in my notes, definitions, diagrams until I feel I've memorized them.

So since these two Bio classes aren't listed in their pre-reqs, does this mean they won't add them? Hope my question made sense. I have tried calling the school today and they're closed and I've been looking online to find out about how they tally up GPAs but still not sure. Thanks :) :)

Kosis · Mar 19, 2010

I see what you mean PMFB-RN, but that was my mistake earlier. I must have been combining more than one school's requirements because when I looked at UTA's last night, the only classes I'm needing are:

a&p 1 and 2, gen chem, biochem, microbio, concepts of prof nursing, pharmacology, pathophysiology.

I can knock these out within a year. If I were to go for the ADN, I'd still need A&P and gen chem. That would leave me 5 classes shy of applying for the BSN at UTA.

Sorry for the confusion!

Cammer · Mar 19, 2010

Not at all. Why should anyone have to take (per the OP) two biology classes, two chem, organic chem, bio chem and nutrition just to start out at $20 and hour as a floor nurse? I wouldn't. My friends who have gone to CRNA school didn't have that much science in their nursing program.
A&P, micro and one chem class is more than enough to give one the background needed to be a nurse. We all know we don't learn to be nurses in school, we learn OJT. Nursing school just gives us the background needed to learn.

I can't argue with that. One thing that I didn't get in my nursing prereqs was a chem class. I ended up teaching myself the chemistry that I needed to know for critical care, but in retrospect it would have been nice in order to better understand certain things as I entered the job. Since then I have taken a couple of chem classes just to familiarize myself with the major concepts. But I really can't comprehend the need for four chemistry classes unless you are going for pharm, premed, or anesthesia. * nevermind - I just read the correction to your original post.

In my area helicopter flight nursing positions are somewhat limited and competitive. They will look at your work history and experience before looking at your academic achievements. But all else being equal, the nurse with the higher degree will have the edge. There is also a specialized flight nursing class available at our local 4 yr college that is required before getting hired by our local helicopter services. That may not be the case in your area.

You may enjoy fixed wing transport. That is a nice job but the work is inconsistent and generally on an on-call only type schedule, from what I learned a few years ago when I looked into it. It didn't fit with my lifestyle.

Your plan for both oncology and flight nursing is interesting and seem at odds with one another. Those two fields of nursing don't share much in common. I'm not an expert in oncological nursing, but from what I know, in the hospital oncology is much like typical floor nursing except that cancer patients have more than average needs in regard to blood transfusions, hematological changes, pain management, nutrition, self-image, and social dynamics. It is generally a longer term care situation. This is in contrast to flight nursing where you are dealing with acute trauma and disease processes that require immediate transport. You are only providing care to a single patient that may need a large number of immediate interventions initiated to save their life, and you are only with that patient for a relatively short time, ideally less than an hour in the case of helicopter transport, and just a few hours in the case of fixed wing transport.

Kosis · Mar 19, 2010

Your post was so informative, thank you! I have interests in both, but you're right they are very different and I didn't consider just how different they were before you put it in perspective. Oncology was my first interest, but I also wanted to combine my interest of flying with nursing.

Cammer · Mar 19, 2010

Your post was so informative, thank you! I have interests in both, but you're right they are very different and I didn't consider just how different they were before you put it in perspective. Oncology was my first interest, but I also wanted to combine my interest of flying with nursing.

I'm glad I could help! If you have the personality that would enjoy flight nursing then that is what you should go for. But you will need to get some experience before an employer will consider you for a flight position. Because flight nursing requires the ability to work independently in an unpredictable environment a nurse needs a level of confidence that a fresh grad just doesn't have. You may be on the job for a couple of years before you can reach your goal.

If you want to go the flight route then here is my opinion of what to do if I were in your shoes: Finish your ASN and get your RN license. Start working in oncology while finishing your BSN. Learn all you can about critical care and emergency nursing and push for a position in one of those areas, preferably critical care, but check with your flight service to find out what they look for in prospective employees. Maintain a network of contacts in the areas where you want to work. Nurture a good reputation for being smart, hard working, ambitious, dependable, and easy to get along with. Do not get involved in gossip and drama. That will kill a career faster than anything.

One thing to never forget no matter what you decide to do - the people you meet in healthcare now will be the same people you will be working with five years and ten years from now. For example: I am currently working with the wife of a guy I worked with back in 1990 when I was just an EMT on a private ambulance. Healthcare is a smaller community than you might think and your coworker today may be your boss or employee tomorrow. Don't burn bridges. I have seen it happen. Your reputation will carry you when all else fails. Good luck!