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nurses, come in...schooling related
So say I wanted to get my RN....
I have a BS from my previous degree(communication disorders-speech pathology). What would be my best option? Should I go to ACC and just get an associates/RN. Should I get a BSN with it or should I go for the MSN with RN track that's offered by A&M? My ultimate goal is to work in the hospital setting and probably, eventually, get my IBCLC.
And, if you became a nurse when you had kids, what am I looking at? It says full time program for the RN but, is that night classes, day classes, etc... I just can't seem to find that info anywhere...
Thanks!!
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Re: nurses, come in...schooling related
UTexas offers an alternate entry MSN. ACC (I think) also has a program with Texas Tech where you can earn a BSN after completing ACC's ASN program.
Taytee is a second career nurse who got her degree from ACC (and TT, I think). Page her. She helped me figure out which route to go.
I did a traditional program, so I don't have a ton of advice for fast track/alternative programs. An associates degree at ACC will be much cheaper. It won't take that much longer though to just do your BSN, but will likely cost more. The hospitals in Austin don't really have any pay differences for ADN vs BSN but some cities do. I would say if you can afford it, just go ahead and get your BSN. It will make career advancement in the future much easier.
Yes, the program will most likely be full time, but classes are usually during the day, I don't know of a program that has night classes. Some will have clinicals that run evenings/weekend if that's easier for you. I would also base your decision on how you learn best as some of the programs will be online/distance. That could be very convinient, but I have a really hard time learning that way.
Oh and ditto AJL, if you do want to do the alt entry MSN track, UT offers that as well I believe with an emphasis on child/maternity which would probably be good if you were looking at being an LC.
Good luck in your decision, let me know if there are any questions I can answer for you. I have been a nurse for about 8 years now and been through the BSN and MSN programs at UT.
This might be a good option for you. It's a second degree BSN through Texas Tech. You stay in Austin to complete your program though.
https://www.ttuhsc.edu/son/secwbsn/
This is the one Taytee did. I think she did her prereqs at ACC. Like you have to have A&P within 5 years. If you want to get your ADN first, then there are several programs you can do around here but you are looking at 18-24 months of clinical and class. Then you have another year to get your BSN. OR You could get your ADN and then go RN to MSN or RN to PhD depending on what you want to be when you grow up.
My DH is an ADN and a BSN instructor as well as a FNP. I am sure the would be more than happy to talk to you if you want to know more about it from an instructor/career point of view.
Married and it feels so good!
Yep, that's where I got my degree! It's TV time with DH but my email is stacy at nicemonkeys.com You can email me any specific questions!
Go for both at the same time. Most of the pre-reqs going from communications to ADN are the same anyway. Just get going at ACC and find your way from there! Getting your feet wet going back to school is the first step. My first degree was in Advertising so it took me almost 2 years to have what I needed to apply to the ADN program at ACC. I was on the wait list when the TT program was getting started and I was accepted into their 3rd cohort.
I warn against going through many of the MSN programs. Most let you practice as an RN after 1 year but you don't have any place you can bow out in between if your circumstances should change. So if you have to drop out after 2 years, you cannot continue to practice as an RN =(. You have... nothing.