Nursing School Completed!

[castleview]

I took and did well on my final yesterday and my pinning ceremony is tomorrow! And I'm still married! LOL Time to prepare for NCLEX and find a job. Sorry to brag, but what a crazy two years.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Congratulations!
What kind of nursing are u looking to do?

 

[cepmom]

Congratulations, such an amazing feeling when you finally complete school!! I just finished Rad Tech school and had my pinning last night so I totally get where you're coming from!! Brag away you deserve to be proud!!

 

[NewmanFamily6]

Congratulations! As a nurse and grad student, I urge you to continue on in your education as soon as possible. I will graduate with the DNP next May and will be able to become an FNP. In my area the ADN (2 yr degree) is not enough to guarantee a job like it once was. Hospitals here want BSN grads and some hospital systems will help pay for that education but many have given employees deadlines on achieving that goal. Good Luck!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Congratulations!!

 

[castleview]

Congratulations!
What kind of nursing are u looking to do?

Hoping to get some critical care hospital experience, but I'm willing to do many things. Ideally I want emergency. While I'm not huge on med-surg, I would do that too because my last rotation on MS was great training...I'm actually ok with med-surg if it's crazy med-surg - I swear I'm better in chaos. Anyway, I've also always been huge into community stuff before I went to nursing school and I don't think that will ever leave me. Eventually, I'd like to get on the sub list for a few of the inner city high schools around here...lots of kids without services walking around with conditions they are unaware of and I just enjoy teenagers (not my own of course ).

Because I've done this with three kids, I've been very one day at a time so I need to get moving on my job search. I plan to go back to school but am trying to figure out if I should get the BSN (already have a BA) or go to a Master's.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Congratulations! As a nurse and grad student, I urge you to continue on in your education as soon as possible. I will graduate with the DNP next May and will be able to become an FNP. In my area the ADN (2 yr degree) is not enough to guarantee a job like it once was. Hospitals here want BSN grads and some hospital systems will help pay for that education but many have given employees deadlines on achieving that goal. Good Luck!

My guess is that she's aware of this, but right now wants to celebrate this significant achievement!

 

[castleview]

Congratulations! As a nurse and grad student, I urge you to continue on in your education as soon as possible. I will graduate with the DNP next May and will be able to become an FNP. In my area the ADN (2 yr degree) is not enough to guarantee a job like it once was. Hospitals here want BSN grads and some hospital systems will help pay for that education but many have given employees deadlines on achieving that goal. Good Luck!

Awesome! Congrats to you!!

 

[castleview]

My guess is that she's aware of this, but right now wants to celebrate this significant achievement!

Yup! LOL You've heard my dilemma of whether to go BSN or ADN many times! Several of my classmates already have jobs lined up. The interview questions seems to be "are you already enrolled in classes?" I'll likely take advantage of being able to do part time or not needing benefits if I have to. As I said before, my focus was finishing while keeping the family intact. Now it's job search and NCLEX prep...though I might allow some laziness today!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It depends what you want to do, castleview. If you want to be a staff nurse, you really don't need a master's; a bsn will suffice. Maybe give it some time to see what you like.

 

[bjscheel]

Great! I know it's tough! My mom went to nursing school in her late 40s when I was a tween. Dad and I tried to help with the housework more and she had a book with her everywhere she went. She says if she knew what all she would have to do when she started, she wouldn't have started! But it was the perfect career for her and worth all the hard work.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Congratulations to you too, cepmom!

 

[DisneyFan13US]

Congrats!!! That is the best feeling in the world. Good luck with the NCLEX. Just remember to take a deep breath when you take it and to not get overwhelmed. You will do great and welcome to the nursing family!!!

 

[Kellydelly]

Congratulations!! I also have an ADN and around here (SE MI) you can get a position at a hospital with no issues, and nobody is asking at interviews if you already have yourself enrolled in a BSN program . At least half the nurses on my unit are ADN and there's even a couple diploma nurses . Good luck with your NCLEX exam!

 

[bbak30]

Congratulations!
Fellow RN here and I did an accelerated program in 18 months--with 2 little ones. My youngest was 6 months when I started. It was HARD. Totally underestimated how much work it would be. Nursing school and having a family at the same time are definitely an adventure.

I work ER and love it! I hope you can find something soon.

Congrats again!!!

 

[minkydog]

Congratulations for graduating with your degree AND your brain AND your family intact. As an old nurse (38yrs) to a new one, I remember how hard nursing school was. And I didn't do it with 3 kids, either! So, kudos on that, for sure! I can't speak to getting more education--it depends on what you want to do with nursing. I know plenty of nurses who went straight from program to program, only to find out after they graduated with that shiny Masters degree, that they really didn't like nursing all that much. Bummer! So, figure out what you want to do and then you'll figure out whether you need higher education or not.

I have thought many times about getting my Masters, but frankly, I'm tired. I'm almost 59, looking at retirement in the next 5 years. I don't have the interest nor the drive that it takes to stick it out, and at my age I would never recoup the cost of the education. But that's okay because I am content in my career and I have no desire to go higher up the ladder at this time.

 

[minkydog]

Congratulations, such an amazing feeling when you finally complete school!! I just finished Rad Tech school and had my pinning last night so I totally get where you're coming from!! Brag away you deserve to be proud!!

Congratulations! Rad Tech school is quite challenging, so kudos to you for sticking it out!

 

[ReneeA]

Congratulations!
Fellow RN here and I did an accelerated program in 18 months--with 2 little ones. My youngest was 6 months when I started. It was HARD. Totally underestimated how much work it would be. Nursing school and having a family at the same time are definitely an adventure.

I work ER and love it! I hope you can find something soon.

Congrats again!!!

Congrats! It is a huge achievement, especially with a family to care for as well.

I'll second what kellydelly says. It depends on your area in regards to your degree. I'm also in SE Michigan, only have my ADN, and was recently hired as a director in a large hospital system after a few years of management experience. I also work mostly with ADN and a few diploma RNs. My new employer is aware of my educational and professional background, and hasn't even asked if I plan to get my BSN. I do plan to start classes in the fall, but it was never a condition in any of my positions thus far (even management). Get some experience, take a breath, then decide your path.

Congrats again!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Congratulations, castleview, and you also, cepmom. Wonderful achievements. Best wishes to you both as you move forward in your careers. And thanks to all the nurses here for the wonderful work you do for so many.

 

[Big V]

Congratulations!