Questions to Ask Advisor- Looking at Going Back to School - 2 Yr Nursing Program

Will the school help you after graduation find a job? How big are the classes? As in how many students, and how much student teacher time will you be getting?

Great for you that you're going back to school!

Just want to correct the first response regarding the necessity of having a BSN. It's not absolutely necessary. It all depends on what you want to do.

Our oldest son's girlfriend just finished her two-year RN degree last year. She was hired immediately at a great hospital and has had many great job offers in addition to the one she chose.

She generally works three days on, and then whatever overtime she wants.
The return on her educational investment is very good. Her income is really great, considering she's just only a year out of school, and her benefits are outstanding. Lots of flexibility with her job in terms of scheduling days off.

She does plan to go on and earn more advanced nursing degrees in the future but wanted to have practical experience before she applies.

So, P., you are on the right track with your "steps along the road" plan. You can get your 2 yr. degree, work and get some experience, and then go back for your BSN. Many schools also now offer accelerated BSN so you can finish the degree quicker, but the trade-off there is that the schedule is pretty intense.

Ask about minimum credit requirements per semester and expected time frame for degree completion. Also check to see if they have a placement program for grads.

Ask if the school offers the accelerated BSN program (for future reference). While you're there, you may want to ask about the advanced nurse practitioner program or physician's assistant program. If you look at the way the medical field is heading, in the future, most of our primary care health needs will be handled by APNs and PAs. It's happening all over now in clinics. We'll see physicians (MDs and DOs) as specialists---cardiology, allergy/immunology, orthopedics, neurology, various surgical specialties, etc.

Good luck with your new path!

J. F.

Does successful completion of the program guarantee placement in the 4 year program?

What percentage of graduates of the 2 year program have a job in the nursing field upon graduation?

What kind of job placement resources does the school offer?

child care avalable? what if you have to miss a class will you be able to make it up? can you meet privately with professors if you miss a class and catch up?

I realize I am responding AFTER your meeting, but when I completed my MBA program a few years ago I stayed in contact with my advisor on a regular basis. It was imperative that I complete my degree at the date I had set for myself for various reasons, so I had to double up classes for the last year.

So I would say talk to them about pairing your classes into challenging and not-so challenging. That way you can do well in them but complete your courses on your time-line.

Last I know, you need algebra and chemistry within 5 years of going into the nursing program. Ask about prerequisites.

Very exciting, P.!

What happens if you fail a class?

As a current nursing student I can give you lots of help :)

1. It may (read that as probably will) take more than 2 years to actually complete the degree, unless you already have all the prerequisites from another degree. Most programs are competitive to get into so even if you have them all done already .. you may end up on a waiting list.

2. The nursing classes themselves are HARD. And I do mean HARD (we're talking make you want to cry hard). It takes a LOT of study time for most people. Not to mention there will be papers to write and so forth. Try to get ALL other classes out of the way before you get into the nursing program. You'll be happy you did.

3. You can work full time and do it ... HOWEVER ... be aware it is going to take a LOT of organization and dedication and time management skills. School, work and family living with you are going to be the ONLY things you'll have time for.

4. You can get a job with a 2 year ADN/ASN RN degree. But be aware that MOST hospitals are requiring their nurses to either have or have started their BSN by a certain time or they are out of a job. I believe by 2020 the goal is for hospitals to ONLY hire BSN RN's. That doesn't mean you won't have a job ... doctor's offices, long term care facilities and such will still hire RN's without the BSN as well as LPN's.

5. My only regret in this whole journey .... absolutely NOTHING. I'll be 49 when I graduate. It's been 30 years since I was in school. But MAN do I love what I'm doing. Even with the set-backs along the way.

Good luck with it all. If this is a calling for you then go for it and don't let anything get in your way. If this ISN'T a calling .. the BSN probably won't matter because the chances are you'll burn out before you get to the point of it being a necessity :)

Edited to add: Be aware also that each school has it's own "passing" criteria. My school a passing grade is a 75%. But I've seen as high as an 86% as a passing rate.

So ask about that, ask about what kind of support systems they have in place for students. What the criteria is for getting into the nursing program. I'll edit if I think of anything else :)

Financial aid?
Hands on experience?
Accredited Program?
Do credits transfer out to other schools?
Online courses available?

2 yr nursing? RN or LPN. In today's world you need to be an RN with a BS degree. Think that's 4 yrs. not sure.