Ok, I'm sure this isn't a new topic. I am just quite frankly surprised at a few reactions I've received. Everyone I've told, that I'm going back to school, is overwhelmingly happy that I'm doing this. A few have surprised me though. They usually follow up with, "the U of --"? I say, "I'm going to -- Community College." First it's a nose crinkle which they immediately try to mask. Then a few have said, "community college?" Which I respond with something like, "it's an excellent way to begin nursing as an RN, then I'll continue and get my BSN at a the U of - and the hospital I work for will pay for it." Depending on the look I may make a comment like "well with tuition costs and my lack of a money tree, it's the only option, and I'm very happy to be doing this!"
I guess I'm a bit surprised. I thought that the community college stigma had lessoned a bit with the reality of tuition costs sky rocketing. I think this attitude may come from the same sort of folks who make fun at people who live in mobile homes. I guess it makes them feel superior, while they provide no alternate option for those who lack the money for what they deem appropriate. So judgemental and not helpful.
As I think about it, even if the tuition cost the same, I would go the ADN route. I don't have the money to get through four years at a university. I think the community colleges work quite well for older students. It's also a smart way to go because I can let my new employer pay my tuition to complete my BSN. The large hospitals here have on site classes that they pay for their ADNs to do to get their BSNs.
Anyway, I've gotten this attitude from my next door neighbor, a BSN psych nurse, my allergist, my aunt, and a cousin. I was just so surprised and caught off guard. My first thought with my older aunt was...if you look down on what I'm doing so much why don't you bankroll me to go all they way and get my NP at the U of --, you do have millions you are sitting on, and you can't take it with you. But I digress. :roll
