Second Degree BSN

So the second degree BSN is a beast all its own. Most people stress about nursing school. In the Second Degree programs, also called Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs we complete nursing school in under two years. Yep! A BSN in about a year and a half.

Some schools have their ABSN programs last only about 13 months. It is crazy stuff. You really have to dedicate yourself pretty much to reading 24/7. It does all pay off though, my class is 19 people and we will have our BSN in about 18 months.

I don't plan to stop there. I don't think that you really can. While nursing provides a lot of benefits as far as a career you really should go on and get an MSN or DNP. I plan to become a CRNA right now. That is a Nurse Anesthetist for many reasons the top two being; I want to be around surgery and I want to make money. The nursing community is really pushing for advanced degrees for nurses anyway so it will be great to be ahead of the curve.

The above picture is an image from the MCON.edu website which is the school I attend and it is an actual picture from the SIM lab connected to the hospital that students use on a very regular basis.

This is the MCON building where I spend all my time. From about 7 or 8 am until the evening and ALL day on weekends.

How to Study for Nursing School

I'm actually not really sure what the best way to study is. I know that I am putting in at least 8 hours a day of reading, typing, note taking etc. . .


Amazon Book

I did well on the first test. At least I didn't do as bad as I thought I would. Our school has an adjusted rubric, meaning that anything under 93 is a B and anything under 84 is a C. I got a B on the first test. I am hoping to still get an A in Holistic Nursing. This is our hardest course for the semester and if I can get an A or high B it will really boost my confidence in an overall high GPA.

I know this shouldn't matter to me too much, but I have hopes of CRNA school or NP school and I want to land a good job right out of school, so I just think a good GPA will keep more doors open.

Here are a few things that I do that help my studying:

• Read all assigned readings.
• Make notes in the book as I go.
• Turn the powerpoints into questions and answer those questions.
• Repeat step three two or three times.
• Teach a classmate what I have learned.
• Approach the professor at least once per section with questions.
• Take all practice tests from the book, ATI, book website & included CD-ROM

Basically, you have to shut off the other parts of your life that are distractions. Our school does have a gym connected with the hospital that we can use for free. I am sigining up for that now.
Plus I have an awesome wife that is very supportive!!!

Male In Nursing

Being a male going into nursing is obviously something that must be addressed. In fact just today my brother in law who is a head vet technician was teaching in a children’s Sunday school class and he introduced himself as a head vet tech, the children of course had no idea what that was and he explained that it was like being a head nurse at that point the children laughed their heads off and called him a girl.

Making My Decision 2008 - 2010

The decision to go into nursing was a long one. I suppose that I was initially interested in it about three years ago when my wife and I were living in a small town in Oklahoma. At the time I needed a job and the town did not offer many opportunities other than a two year ADN nursing program at the local community college. I applied and was accepted. A good friend of mine that was in medical school suggested that I investigate CRNA or Nurse Anesthetist.