Hey everyone, i have finally decided to sign up on this nursing forum even though i have been reading and reading for the past couple of months! It feels great to actually post here now. I ask for some advice and/or opinions from you and hope you can help me in any way.
First off, heres the story. I am 22 and i joined the Air Force at 18, worked active for 2 years and now i am in the Air National Guard. I have an associates in science and an associates in applied science ( avionics from the air force). I always thought i should just stick to technical jobs so i am currently a junior getting a IST degree ( computer stuff). I have come to realize this really is not a goal of mine and i am just in it because of the money associated with the field. I was not interested or even thinking medical at all until i took a zoology class where i actually did dissections and had to learn various parts of how the body worked. I never realized how interesting it was and i became instantly hooked.You can ask anyone that knows me that i have always been interested in helping people and have always gone out of my way to do it for them. Its just something i appreciate doing and i feel that all of us in a way need to be like this. I really feel like i need to do something to make a difference in life.
So after very careful considerations over the past few months i have decided i want to become a Nurse. The only thing i am stuck on at the moment is which path do i want to take. I am already in school and i have the option to transfer to another and get a BSN. Is it worth me going for the BSN or should i go back to a two year school and become a RN that way?
Im really wanting to know if the path of BSN should be accomplished now or should i wait until i actually have some hands on experience before i try to tackle something like that? If i could get advice from both sides id greatly appreciate it. I am sorry to write a book but i figured background info would help definitely.
ROE_Wedge wrote:Hey everyone, i have finally decided to sign up on this nursing forum even though i have been reading and reading for the past couple of months! It feels great to actually post here now. I ask for some advice and/or opinions from you and hope you can help me in any way.
First off, heres the story. I am 22 and i joined the Air Force at 18, worked active for 2 years and now i am in the Air National Guard. I have an associates in science and an associates in applied science ( avionics from the air force). I always thought i should just stick to technical jobs so i am currently a junior getting a IST degree ( computer stuff). I have come to realize this really is not a goal of mine and i am just in it because of the money associated with the field. I was not interested or even thinking medical at all until i took a zoology class where i actually did dissections and had to learn various parts of how the body worked. I never realized how interesting it was and i became instantly hooked.You can ask anyone that knows me that i have always been interested in helping people and have always gone out of my way to do it for them. Its just something i appreciate doing and i feel that all of us in a way need to be like this. I really feel like i need to do something to make a difference in life.
So after very careful considerations over the past few months i have decided i want to become a Nurse. The only thing i am stuck on at the moment is which path do i want to take. I am already in school and i have the option to transfer to another and get a BSN. Is it worth me going for the BSN or should i go back to a two year school and become a RN that way?
Im really wanting to know if the path of BSN should be accomplished now or should i wait until i actually have some hands on experience before i try to tackle something like that? If i could get advice from both sides id greatly appreciate it. I am sorry to write a book but i figured background info would help definitely.
What Birds [Jets] did you work on in the AF, and now in the Air National Guard? I worked on F-4 Phantoms in the USMC from 1980-1988 as an "O" level [flight-line] aircraft electrician & com/nav tech.
I can completely relate to being fascinated with how the human body works, and also wanting help people via healthcare. If I was you, I'd pursue BSN right off the bat. Actually, I took the long path [AAS in Surg Tech, AAS in Nursing (ADN), then BSN via RN-BSN program. So, I commend others that took the long road to BSN, but your young & single, so why not take the shorter path.
:cheers:
BTW... :welcomescroll:
Thanks for the advice! I worked/work on heavies with Comm Nav Avionics. My first plane was the MC-130H Combat Talon II in Air Force Special Operations Command over at Hurlburt Field Florida (loved living there!). I now work over at Scott AFB , IL near St.Louis in the guard on KC-135 Tankers. I can tell you now that while the Combat Talon II did a very cool and sneaky type mission it is much much much easier to work on the KC-135 haha. I did not get the chance to work on fighters but wish i would have! That must have been very cool to work with.... especially the legendary phantom with its "boulder- in- the- sky" like aerodynamics ;).
Thanks for the support, ive always appreciated your posts and insight on here. It is good to get the BSN while i am young and single but you never know when they will decide to deploy me and then im out of the program for a while :S.
by the way, i love corvettes as well and love watching them in the GT series being a big race fan myself :). Your vette on cardomain is beautiful
ROE_Wedge wrote:... I am 22 and i joined the Air Force at 18, worked active for 2 years and now i am in the Air National Guard. I have an associates in science and an associates in applied science ( avionics from the air force). I always thought i should just stick to technical jobs so i am currently a junior getting a IST degree ( computer stuff).
...So after very careful considerations over the past few months i have decided i want to become a Nurse. The only thing i am stuck on at the moment is which path do i want to take. I am already in school and i have the option to transfer to another and get a BSN. Is it worth me going for the BSN or should i go back to a two year school and become a RN that way?
Im really wanting to know if the path of BSN should be accomplished now or should i wait until i actually have some hands on experience before i try to tackle something like that? If i could get advice from both sides id greatly appreciate it. I am sorry to write a book but i figured background info would help definitely.
Hello Welcome to Nursing!!
First question...how close are you towards completion of your IST? You may want to go on and continue to complete that "while" adding your pre-clinical requisite clasess.
What most school require regardless if it is a junior college, a Bachellors program or a Masters direct enty to nursing program are:
1-biology
2-anatomy and physiology one and two
3-general chemistry
4-organic chemistry
5-phsyc 100
6-psych across the lifespan
7-nutrition
So, I suggest to go on and keep on the current path while building for your "Post Bacc" BSN OR MS in Nursing entry. :)
I took the long route too and got an associate in allied health with a focus on biology, then transferred to a University and wanted to get into their BSN but, needed a pathophysiology course and my organic chem...meanwhile I complete a BA in Sociology with a minor in Psych while working towards that. Then I applied to both a junior college AND a MS in nursing entry program to start the fall after BA completion. Luckily got into both and chose the MS.
Good luck! Your Bachellors in IST could only serve you and if you are within a year or so of graduation I say to keep on completing that, if you can stomach it, while starting on your pre-reqs for Nursing.
ONE BIG CAVEAT...if you are receiving Financial Aid, they will generally only continue to finance you for one undergraduate degree soooo...in that case work towards "near" completion of your bachellors and transfer to the BSN university, (with all of your pre-clinical nursing classes complete". Then you can complete the BSN and possibly finish that last outstanding requirement for your IST bachellors and earn both your IST degree and BSN at the same time. :)
Good luck!
Gen
I know that path seems smart but it just doesnt seem right for me. I honestly cant stand to continue pursuing that degree and its just not a big deal to me at the moment. I do appreciate the input in that... i have found out some new things though...
I was looking at the BSN program, i have to meet a lot of prerequisites before entering the program which means i would complete the prereq's within two semesters (summer and fall) and then be sitting around for two more doing nothing as they require you to wait until Fall.
The nursing program back at my former community college which i graduated from has all my transcripts (almost), information, etc and they said they can get me into the program starting this fall. I am starting to think this would be the best route for me but i still have just a little bit of time to do more research
wish me luck!
Roe_Wedge;
Thanks for the kind words. BTW, have you thought about being an AF nurse? ;)
Oh yea, good luck!
ROE_Wedge wrote:I know that path seems smart but it just doesnt seem right for me. I honestly cant stand to continue pursuing that degree and its just not a big deal to me at the moment. ...
wish me luck!
I wish you luck.
While on the waiting lists for junior colleges, or while waiting for permission to begin the clinical portion of a BSN you may still be a full time student if you need enough of the pre-clinical nursing requisites. Actually if you do not have these completed you cannot actually even get on junior college waiting lists.
edit-->wait a second! Your junior college will let you start "nursing clinicals" in the fall?? Have them send that to you in writing!! WOW, have you completed the below pre-reqs? I am really amazed. I know people who transfer from out of state just to start a nursing program rather than go on the "year's long" waiting lists, (this is after pre req completion at times).
Pre-reqs again:
1-biology
2-anatomy and physiology one and two
3-general chemistry
4-organic chemistry
5-phsyc 100
6-psych across the lifespan
7-nutrition
Since I could only afford school with financial aid I needed to pursue my Bachellors while working towards my pre-reqs, maybe you do not.
Good luck!!
Gen
no no no you misunderstood me. I can be accepted into the program this fall (i would still have a couple prerequisite classes to do) but i would start some of the programs actual classes along with it. I would be in the program and could keep pressing on and not have to wait for fall to roll around again. This is hard to actually put in typing lol. This summer i plan to knock a lot of those prereq's out of the way (the schools down here, well the 3 i talked to do not require chemistry, the BSN program at SIUE does though... i need the anatomy and physiology) but i will still have a couple in the fall that i can take along with those classes. Check
www.iecc.edu
EDIT: i need to stay in illinois because i have a veterans grant there that pays for all my schooling. It would be foolish of me to leave illinois and start paying for school and it would have been sort of a waste of my military experience :). And yes mag i have thought about AF nursing... i think you have to be an officer though
ROE_Wedge wrote:...And yes Mag I have thought about AF nursing... I think you have to be an officer though
LOL, once you get close to completing your BSN go see an AF Nurse Recruiter, which will put in an application packet for a direct commission as an nurse officer. Does not hurt to have a long term goal. ;)
i think i will follow that path Mag, it has always been a goal of mine to get a commission but i always wanted something hands on that was not as a pilot. To be honest i love the military lifestyle
I was a crew chief on KC-10 when I was in. Got out, went to school for nursing and havn't regreted it one day. I have my ASN and havn't run into any issues by not having my BSN. It's up to you, but go for it!!!!
Roe,
All along this forum you have received excellent advice. I find myself agreeing with all of the different points of view. To let you know my perspective: I am also former military. 10 years Army (SSG/E6)in the combat arms field. I went the ADN route and then concentrated on CCRN rather than my BSN. While I have never felt hindered by my lack of a BSN, I know there are a lot of oppotunities not open to me because I lack it ie The Military Officer Corps. I too am in Southern Illinois and wish you well in your future career.
Another thing to consider- At the three hospitals I've worked, the "clinical ladder", programs that encourage experienced nurses to continue working the floors, generally require a BSN at least to advance to the upper levels of the ladder... So if you plan on working as a floor nurse, the bump in pay for achieving the different levels of the clinical ladder would probably make it worthwhile to pursue your BSN right away....
Neversettle71 wrote:Roe,
All along this forum you have received excellent advice. I find myself agreeing with all of the different points of view. To let you know my perspective: I am also former military. 10 years Army (SSG/E6)in the combat arms field. I went the ADN route and then concentrated on CCRN rather than my BSN. While I have never felt hindered by my lack of a BSN, I know there are a lot of oppotunities not open to me because I lack it ie The Military Officer Corps. I too am in Southern Illinois and wish you well in your future career.
Aaron, have you thought about the Reserve Army Nurse Corps? All you need is an ADN. However, you would need BSN to be eligible for Major. Nevertheless, with your 10 years prior military service you might want to consider it. ;)
thank you for the replies and words of advice and encouragement. I knew i was taking the harder path but now i am very determined to get started. I will know by the middle of march if i was accepted to the programs i applied to (which i told i was pretty much a shoe in but im taking that as face value). I really feel like i have a direction now and things are falling in place.
About the BSN, i know they have RN-BSN programs which require a ton of work and time.. its nothing im not used to. I will get the BSN in due time ASAP but for right now i have some tasks at hand to complete and concentrate on for this RN. I dont want to have too much foresight and lose concentration on where im at now. Once again thanks all for the advice and encouragement! it really does help... cause it sometimes feels weird to leave a big university and go back to a real small school. I think i will adjust fine though :).
When I was getting my ADN I already had those prereqs done so along with the nursing classes I took a few BSN classes at another school where I planned to get my BSN. When I finished my ADN I then had only to take the nursing classes part of the BSN while I was working and I let my employeer pay for the BSN nursing classes..... for clinical ladder a BSN gets you a big 1 more point at my hospital you can get more points (up to 5) for charity work which includes any walk (cancer, march of dimes, heart) which are good things but take a few hours versus a year or 2
I am in the same situation, sort of. I have a BS and MS in non nursing fields. I am currently in an RN program at a comm college. I was recently told by someone I really need to be in a BSN program to better suit my education. I read your post, Greg, about the "ladder" and that is what I am most concerned about. I do not want to get out in the field and feel as if I have to go back to school... again.
What has everyone else's experience been when it comes to RN versus BSN in the hospitals?? Thanks!!
From what i have been gathering it just depends where you are. There is not a big difference in pay but in positions or in other things.. as with life.. a degree will count more than anything.
swirvnnurse wrote:I am in the same situation, sort of. I have a BS and MS in non nursing fields. I am currently in an RN program at a comm college. I was recently told by someone I really need to be in a BSN program to better suit my education. I read your post, Greg, about the "ladder" and that is what I am most concerned about. I do not want to get out in the field and feel as if I have to go back to school... again.
What has everyone else's experience been when it comes to RN versus BSN in the hospitals?? Thanks!!
Hi Swrivnnurse,
When it came time for me I was enrolled in a junior college for the ADN but was accepted to a direct entry masters of science in nursing program.
We all take the same NCLEX-RN, diploma, ADN, BSN MS entry all of us. However your BS and MS will not go to waste because when you go the ADN to MSN route you might have completed courses that will indeed matriculate to your MSN. You have a BS and an MS, you will not need to complete ALL the courses necessary for another MS. It will help you.
As well, once you have the ADN and your license your timeline to the BSN or MSN, (whichever you choose, I'd go straight to the MS as ADNs can do that) will be much quicker than a straight ADN.
Gen
