Sunday, September 7, 2014

More decisions

When I started this journey almost 2 years ago, I had every intention of being admitted into an ABSN (accelerated Bachelors of Nursing) program by 2015 or 2016, TOPS. Now that reality has set in, I may have to wait as late as 2017 (when I am 37 years old, ugh!) since I do not have things in order as I had hoped. For starters, with the competition of nursing school being so fierce and me limiting myself to 1 of 2 ABSN programs means I am not guaranteed entry into any nursing program. Secondly, I am only taking about 2 pre- requisite courses per year (initially I had planned to take 3 or possibly 4). While this pace is probably ideal for me, it does nothing for my timeline. Third, I have hardly any money saved up for living expenses currently for the time when I enter school (not to mention I have not cleared up my credit card debts as yet). My husband is very supportive and will be able to manage most of our living expenses without me working but it will be difficult for him to be financially responsible for everything. Even if I manage to obtain part-time or per-diem employment if and when I enter nursing school, I doubt what I would make would help too much without any type of supplemental saving.

I have also decided to apply to Lehman's traditional BSN program in addition to their ABSN program whenever I decide to apply to the school. Why? For starters the ABSN program is super competitive and if I don't get in, I will be screwed since that may the only college I apply to (assuming I choose Lehman over Downstate). Also the 2 year BSN program would allow me to work or do summer externships, which is very for related work experience. My family may also suffer less since I am quite convinced that I will be a lunatic trying to successfully complete an ABSN degree while raising kids. I hate the idea of being in school for so long only to obtain another BS degree though. I have not given up on my nursing goals but sometimes when I look at all that I have to accomplish to get to where I need to be, I get frustrated and a little discouraged. No one ever said a career change was easy. I guess I better just learn to adapt or just give up!