Ok so if you have read my posts before, I am currently enrolled in nursing school. I have 3 small children (4, 22 months & 6 months). I am married to a wonderful man and I also work 20 hours/week.
Anyways, I have to get my associates degree in nursing and then I am going to work my way to a BSN and then to a MSN. I know nursing school is hard, but my dream is to be a nurse practitioner. I'm curious as to how many clinical courses are going to be required for everything (RN, BSN, MSN). My local college the ASN is 4 semesters of clinicals (basically 2 years). It is going to take me roughly 4 years to complete just the ASN due to a 2 year waiting list to get into clinicals. I was told it will take approximately another 2-3 years to get my BSN and then another 2-3 for my MSN. I have also heard the online nursing programs from RN-BSN or BSN-MSN are a lot of money.
I guess my question is that I don't want to be spending an outrageous amount of money for something that I know I will enjoy but be in debt the rest of my life!!!! My nursing program here where I live is going to cost approximately $18,000 and I don't know if that includes books or not. I think that is pretty good when you are considering the amount of time and effort you put into the program. I don't even have a problem paying this. But I was told if you get into the MSN program to become a nurse practitioner that you won't qualify for loans. I guess I am speculating a lot, but I don't want to get a large sum of money wrapped up into something that I won't ever be able to pay off. I don't think spending around $400-$500 per credit hour is going to help either. I know that if I put the time and effort in, I can succeed and become a nurse practitioner, which has been a dream of mine. Why I waited until I am 27, don't ask me because I made some poor decisions in my life in regards to my career. I love my kids dearly and wouldn't trade any of them for the world. They are my life!!!!! I have heard several responses stating that I should probably just wait to go to school just because my kids are young (this is mainly because my kids immune systems suck and they are constantly sick).
Also, how much time I am looking at spending just in studying? My college just switched from quarters to semesters so the classes won't be as long, which will help out on labs.
I have also considered a Bachelor's degree in Health Care Admin. I am great at typing and I've been in a health care field as an account specialist for over 3 years. I'm good at what I do, but I hate sitting all the time too. I am so confused on what to do. I've weighed the pros and cons on both careers, and both are pretty even. The pay is pretty similar, but this is not why I am going back to school. Well it is but it isn't. I love caring for people and I love typing. Then at the same time, as a nurse I will be on crappy shifts whereas a Health Care Admin I will be on days more than likely.
I know you girls can't answer my questions. I guess I'm just looking at some insight.
I have no medical academic insight but I just wanted to send my support. You go girl! I know a girl who started law school @ 25 after being out of school for a few years and had a small child and she did graduated. Best wishes to you.
So I'm curious- if it will take you 4 years to get your ASN, why not go ahead and do the BSN?
Also a few more comments:
-Don't forget that once you have a job, most hospitals will reimburse you for most or part of your educational expenses, whether that be bridge, masters, or advance practice nursing credentials.
-A BS or BA in Health Care Administration is about as useful as a degree in political science, aka, not. It has nothing to do with typing or account specialist work and doesn't make you an expert in anything. Any place is as likely any other major for the same work. A masters in Healthcare Admin however, paired with a BSN, a great nursing and leadership track record makes you eligible for hospital administration.
-Finally, keep up the hard work! Your drive and planning are admirable!
Good for you Victoria! I don't know if I could have managed my BSN with three kids. You are meant for nursing as you can multi task so well. I can't help with specifics as it has been awile but the only plus to ASN is that you can work right away otherwise I think a straight BSN is the way to go. Be careful with loans. The pay for these jobs won't make it easy to pay off bug loans. Clinical for your NP will be crazy hours but it's not forever. With husband on board I'm sure you can do it. A plus is that NP jobs can offer more money and better work schedules ( 8-6 etc fewer holidays ). If you get your first job in a hospital affiliated with a university MSN/ NP program they will offer either partial tuition reimbursement or in some cases full rides.
Good
I graduated with my ADN in '05, passed NCLEX and worked for a couple years before going back for my BSN in 2008. It was an online RN-BSN program at Texas Tech University. Cost was around $12,000 for tuition, add another $1500 or so for books. As far as clinicals go, it was MUCH less than an ADN program. You don't learn the patient care, disease processes, etc that you learn in your initial degree-you already know that stuff. I only had maybe 3 courses that required clinical time, it's not structured like your ADN, you find a preceptor and work to complete the hours under them. I will graduate with my MS (focus in nursing ed) in May, it's also an online program, this one through OU. Cost is around the same, but no clinical time. I start with all graduate nursing students, than after the core courses we split, NPs take certain courses, education takes others, and administration have their courses. NP's have ALOT of clinical hours, I'm completing mine in 2 years, my NP friends generally take a little longer than that. As far as loans go, I don't see why they wouldn't cover grad school, but don't have any experience with that myself. I would HIGHLY encourage you to work as an RN in the field you want to be an NP in before going into NP school. Nursing is a field where you can only learn so much in school, you really need the practical experience before getting into these courses. It's not impossible, just a lot harder! I wouldn't use the hours and shifts to make your decision between nursing and administration, I have worked 7a-7p, 7p-7a, 3-11, and currently work my own hours for the most part teaching in an ADN program. I can't imagine working 8-5 mon-fri! I have worked mostly full time, which is only 3 days a week if you do 12 hour shifts. There are so many options, you should have no problem finding a job that works well for you. Good luck with whatever you decide, you have a lot of hard work ahead of you, but I promise it is worth it! By the way, my ADN was by far my hardest degree, the others were time consuming, but not nearly as difficult. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions I can try to answer for you!
I have worked in health admin. for many years, but honestly, nursing probably holds more jobs since there will always be a demand for hands on care. As far as the financial piece....student loans will never be forgiven (even if you file banruptcy)...so think very carefully about borrowing money to go to school.
Honestly, if it were me, I would probably wait until all the kids were in school full time before trying to split my attention on studying. Nursing can be hard because of all the science courses, etc. This will not only stress you out, but it will rob you kids with time with you. I took a lot of science courses and I spent a TON of time studying...I couldn't have done it with kids.
I am past middle age, and I still feel very bad that my mother didn't spend time with me when I was little. She wasn't going to school, but she worked a lot. I'm not trying to lecture you, but please don't pick your career over your kids...there's plenty of time to go to school once they're older...plus you could probably finish faster when you can spend more time uninterrupted when they're older.
Good for you! I've looked at doing the exact same thing. I attended an open house on accelerated BSN programs, and the speaker emphasized that there ARE loan forgiveness options. Upon graduation, you would have to work in an underserved area (think rural, economically depressed) or serve with the military. I don't think I could join the service when I've already got a young child, but working in an underserved area, where my work is really, really valuable and valued, actually sounded really good to me. I'd start by targeting some BSN programs that interest you and talking with the financial aid person about your options.
I don't know if any of this is possible with an MSN -- if you find out that it is, please let me know!
There are many online completion programs associated with nursing degrees-one is through University of Phoenix. My husband started with an associate degree in nursing, did an online healthcare administration bachelor degree, then online MSN/MSN in Nursing Education (this one with UofP) and now teaches in an associate nursing program at our local community college. IT CAN BE DONE. Your weekends are kinda bust, but so worth it eventually. Talk to the faculty of your current nursing program and get some friendly advice. Many of the faculty have been there/done that. The faculty where my husband teaches has mostly NPs who teach and have a side job in a clinic or MD office. Financial aid is available all the way into a doctorate program, do not believe otherwise. Even if you do not go to school more than 1 or 2 classes at a time, stick with it!!
Wouldn't you spend just as much or more just on daycare costs for your children while doing all of this?
I think as a nurse you should get plenty of typing to satisfy your enjoyment of that, I agree with the mom who said a degree in Health Care Administration is not very useful.
27 years old? You are still very young and can do anything you want, I think it's great you have goals. I'd personally skip the ASN and go straight into BSN if that is at all possible.
And as far as your kids being so young and the comments about waiting until they are in school, how about some type of comprimise (sp?? lol). Go very part time right now until say your youngest turns 2 years old, then step it up. Just an idea.
Good luck, you WILL reach your goals. Good for you!
