Nursing Students Stuck Between Programs
Nursing students and new graduates face significant hurdles, including competitive admissions, program completion challenges, and difficulty securing employment. Many are pursuing advanced degrees or career pivots, often juggling work and school while dealing with financial pressures and a lack of understanding from others. The path to a fulfilling nursing career is proving unexpectedly complex.
SOURCES (60)
“So, not long after I posted this, Student Loan repayments were paused and defaults were suspended. I may havr already had some debts, but I saw opportunity and I took it & ran. Decided to go LPN first, because of my suboptimal GPA from College…”
“30 when I got pinned/my ADN and passed the NCLEX, 31 when I actually started working as a nurse.”
“Hey everyone, sorry if this question has been asked 100 times, if it has pls point me to a sub that way. But basically im a med surg nurse >1 yr experience however I am wanting to get my Masters in Nursing. I have a passion for education/public health/humanitarian work. I hope to eventually have a job where I have month "breaks" in between where I can travel and do voluntary medical assignments abroad. I cant decide whether I should go for a MSN with a public health focus, MSN in ed”
“Hello I’m currently in my senior year of nursing school! I was told I could start applying to jobs and secure one before I graduate. My question is how to go about this exactly? Should I apply directly through hospital websites or should I use a recruiter app like indeed? I don’t have any family or really any nursing school friends to ask. Almost all of my classmates but one or two are staying in the area and are planning to work at the hospitals we did clinical in or their externships. I have n”
“I have been plugging away at this degree since 23' and am set to graduate in May of 27'. Here's the problem the more nurses I meet in hospital setting the more hesitant I become about fulfilling this goal of mine. I've had this passion for helping for years now thinking my empathy will help those who need it most etc. Etc. But I can't shake this feeling that nursing may destroy me mentally like it has so many others. Is there a way to truly utilize this degree and help people”
“Hi all! Making a career change at 35. I have my BA already in an unrelated field (art) and am looking at nursing programs. My question is, where do I start? Since I already have my BA, do I start with pre-reqs and do a MSN or can I get a second bachelors? I know the RN is a license and I can do that anytime, but still need the prereqs Sidebar: I was also looking at PA programs as well but idk if that’s really reaching far as I have no medical background as of yet and I’m already in my mid 30s. F”
“f17 i’m currently a senior in highschool right now and im looking to become a ultra sound tech or a rn id be happy with either or! The problem is the college i want to go to (community) is saying these majors are only “selective admissions” meaning only a certain amount of people get picked during the cohort. Im scared i wont make that cohort. if all fails and i don’t make the cohort what do i even do? Do i still attend college? what happens if i dont get picked? i have so many questions sorry l”
“Im a first year in a nursing degree. I have to pass A&P and the lab. I cannot figure out the lab. I don’t know what to do. I feel like I’m studying more than I’m doing anything else and I’m still behind in the lab. In the actual class I have really high grades, but in the A&p lab they are super low. I don’t understand tissues and I don’t understand cell functions. I feel idiotic. I’m trying so hard to study and understand but nothings working. Is there any advice anyone would give me ove”
“Your resume shouldn’t be more than one page unless you just have so much incredible experience you just have to include it, and you don’t. Take out clinicals entirely and put your actual job and expand upon responsibilities. Chat gpt is actually useful for this, and I’m not a big AI girl. And skip the year + old community service, it just draws attention to the lack of current community service.”
“Well I’m 43 and I just finished my prerequisites and I’m applying to the nursing program this fall. I’m nervous because I’m so freaking old 🤦🏿♀️ Pray for me please”
“I was 25 when I graduated with my BSN. I had originally been accepted to a somewhat prestigious college for a creative writing program (coming out of high school). However, I couldn't afford it, and while my mom certainly could have, she didn't recognize the value of higher education. I often wonder how things would have been different, because I probably wouldn't be sitting in the bathroom crying at 5am, at hour 14 of a 16 hour shift.”
“I have a certificate III in health assistance, cert II in allied health and I am currentling doing a diploma of emergency care. I've been considering applying for work in age care (I did 80 hours placement and i am technically qualified) BUT that was a year ago and I obviously wouldn't be on top of everything like last year, If i applied and got accepted would my employer assist in relearning or should I just take it upon myself (search up everything online redo everything etc). My memor”
“92k for an ADN is insane. Not worth it. Try to do prereqs and get in the lotto for cc program.”
“My boyfriend was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in May. He was set to graduate in January from his LVN program at Galen (Houston), but due to the accident had to take a quarter off. Long story short, even though he withdrew correctly and explained his circumstances (and was in good standing), he will not be able to attend next quarter. This is even after the readmissions team said to resend his application through after they realized they had marked him as purposefully missing class”
“Hello I have a concerns for completing my accelerated nursing program I’m currently enrolled in , my clinicals start in 80 days and I was told by my DON that I need a letter from the BON before clinicals start or I will be dropped from the program , I did my fingerprints the first week of classes and received this letter this week no blue card stating I need a completed petition for declaratory order and 150$ investigation fee and from research I have seen online it takes the board a minimum 90”
“$90k for an ADN??? No way that isn’t worth it. If those are your two only options just do the LVN”
“EDIT: I guess I was so stressed I realized I didn’t type anything?? I have two options: Attend American Career College Associates in Nursing for $92,472. I can potentially knock out 10-15k with FAFSA & prerequisites that I have already taken. It's a 20 month program. I'd absolutely have to take out student loans. However, when I am done with my program, I can direct 90% of my pay towards paying down my debt. LVN program $10,000 for 13 months. I have the funds to pay this off (school”
“I am looking into becoming a cna and later looking into becoming a nurse. Next semester I will start my cna classes. I have this 7 knot, rope-like, red and black bracelet. This bracelet is permanently tied on and cannot be removed unless cut off, I’ve had it since i was in elementary. I recently started thinking about this bracelet and realized I might have to cut it off. I really am against cutting it off for many reasons. If I did cut it off I don’t know how I would fix it considering ifs a pe”
“Hey guys, I just graduated nursing school, passed my NCLEX, and secured a new grad position in medsurg/tele at a hospital near me. I start orientation on October 26th. I hear/see all these people online talking about how terrible it is to be a new grad nurse. I'm worried because it's filling me with fear, I'm almost dreading starting. The stress, not knowing anything, the responsibility. I already have anxiety which can be almost debilitating, so that doesn't help. I will say tho”
“I'm a new grad RN and tonight is my first ever night shift. I recently moved to a new state, so everything is new to me. All of my clinicals, PCNA experience, and preceptorship were at Cleveland Clinic, the VA, University Hospitals, and Metro. Compared to those hospitals, this place feels completely different. The unit seems very underfunded. My preceptor told me to copy and paste assessments if I had the same patient from the night before. There isn't really a rapid response team—just o”
“What you're saying makes sense for like an online RN-BSN program but that's not what I was referring to. I'm talking about traditional, accelerated, and 2nd degree BSN programs that include ADN courses taught by instructors who haven't touched a patient in the last decade.”
“Does anyone know of any Pennsylvania hospitals that offer tuition sponsorship for LPN programs in exchange for an employment commitment after graduation? I’m looking for programs that help cover tuition and provide guaranteed employment upon successful completion. Any recommendations or information would be greatly appreciated! submitted by /u/InterestingLie715 [link] [comments]”
“I am looking at starting the BSN-MSN Leadership track at WGU. I reallllly want to finish in one 6 month term. Who has done it? What was your plan/how much time did you dedicate daily/weekly? Any tips, thoughts and advice appreciated! submitted by /u/Overall-Writing-5329 [link] [comments]”
“Figure out a way to shrink it to one page. I would assume most programs do all the clinical rotations, so I'd focus on the ones you did your final preceptorship in instead.”
“I have been putting off my CEUs because I was not even sure where to start. There are so many providers and courses out there and I dont want to spend time on something only to find out it does not meet my state requirements. For nurses who have been through the process before whats the easiest way to approach getting CEUs for nursing? submitted by /u/Aggressive-Tart07 [link] [comments]”
“Hi everyone, I recently passed NCLEX and earned my BSN, but after dozens of instant rejections from hospital systems, I took a staff RN role at a subacute/rehab facility to get to work. Honestly, the stigma around starting in a SNF is getting to my head. Even though I have a job, it feels like I haven't "really" started, and I'm terrified I'll be stuck here forever. I keep applying to hospital positions and just get automated rejections within hours. I didn't work as a”
“Hi everyone, I recently passed NCLEX and earned my BSN, but after dozens of instant rejections from hospital systems, I took a staff RN role at a subacute/rehab facility to get to work. Honestly, the stigma around starting in a SNF is getting to my head. Even though I have a job, it feels like I haven't "really" started, and I'm terrified I'll be stuck here forever. I keep applying to hospital positions and just get automated rejections within hours. I didn't work as a”
“I graduated as an LPN four months ago. I applied at a state prison as soon as I could. I also applied for an LPN to RN bridge program at the same time. When I interviewed at the prison they said I would need to be available all the time and I agreed. After my interview I got accepted into the bridge program. It is only one day a week until January when it becomes three days a week. Well, I just got a formal offer from the prison as well. This is the only place hiring LPNs in my town and I really”
“What kind of trash organization is admitting people into a MSN program without a nursing degree”
“hi! I’ve hear a few things about naxlex, an nclex prep program like uworld. i have used uworld and and bootcamp and love them both but I wanna give naxlex a try but i keep hearing mixed reviews. some say it‘s really good and mirrors the nclex but others say the rationales are not accurate. so I’d love to know your eperience with it. I’m would love to use it for both my capstone class and the nclex. thank you in advance🤍 submitted by /u/Waste_Shelter_7136 [link] [comments]”
“Hi! Im a freshman here at WCC QC and planning to transfer sa olfu, what to expect sa process and environment? Thank you po sa mga response! submitted by /u/sche1ol [link] [comments]”
“Wow. I got my BSN (RN-BSN) in 2019 and MSN from UMO in 2021 and they were just starting to develop the pre-licensure program. It’s in kind of a weird spot in the state so I wasn’t sure how successful it was going to be as a prelicensure program due to staffing needs and clinical sites.”
“I am planning to apply to my bachelor in nursing has a backup plan. Incase I change my mind about my other program or don’t get accepted. (ENG Md…) Well for ENG I am scared to change my mind. I am currently an (un)CNA and I do like my job. It doesn’t solely revolve around patient care. I think I’d to be a nurse. Maybe a travel or ER nurse. But every nurse I talk to in real life told me to not be a nurse. Go to engineering. But ENG doesn’t have any social interaction which I NEED in a future job.”
“**New grad EN experience – was this normal?** I recently left my EN new grad position after 10 months and I’m interested to hear what other nurses think about my experience. I started part-time on a busy acute hospital ward at one of Sydney’s largest trauma hospitals . I was working two 12-hour shifts per week. I was only give two to 3 supernumary days. I was obviously still learning and there were areas I needed to develop, particularly prioritisation, escalation, communication and documentatio”
“I was hired on a competitive unit at a magnet hospital with "just" an ADN. I'm done my BSN now, but when I started, I was halfway through an online program.”
“Yes just make sure it involves actual in person clinical hours. You can get a job with any degree but only certain ones prepare you to keep it.”
“Yes. I got my ADN, sat for the NCLEX, and began practice as an RN. I bridged to my BSN a year and a half later but I work with many nurses who never did”
“All I have is my associates and have worked 6 years as a nurse in a hospital setting. I think i got lucky because both hospitals ive been at, they were going for magnet status and got grandfathered in because you technically need a bachelor's degrees for your nurses in facilities that are going for magnet status. I have never gotten any push back though in terms of "go get your bachelor's or you cant work here".”
“Many community colleges offer 5 semester nursing programs that prepare you to become a RN. Many also offer dual enrollment that will simultaneously get you a BSN.”
“Some people know right away. I graduated with people who knew they only wanted to do L&D and they did. It's been 20 years and I still don't know what specialty I want to do. Try something else. If you don't like it, try something else. That's the thing about nursing. There's a lot of different options”
i know people recommend having a LOR from someone who’s seen you in a clinical setting, would an NP count for this? my clinical position is pretty much exclusively overseen by nurses…
“I’m a new grad nurse almost 7 months into my grad program. I interviewed for ED but failed the panel interview (1 out of 3 components) basically the face to face I’m not good at. Anyway I landed my second preference of operating theatres Initially I wanted anaesthetics as I am fascinated about learning all to do with the drugs, airways etc I got put into scrub/scout, I am sinking I feel. I do really well in certain specialty area/s mainly 1 out of the 6 I’ve rotated through Then there are days w”
“Hi everyone, I’ve been a LPN for 2 years at a SNF (IV certified) but I’m graduating with my RN this December. I have a job offer with a banner hospital as a Trauma-Med surg RN, but my friend works at a private 5⭐️ hospital and her boss said I can have a pre-op + PACU new grad fellowship. For that, they are scheduled outpatient orthopedic surgeries so I guess more “stable” and planned than a regular hospital but I understand that things can turn south super fast regardless. I was thinking about d”
“Hi! I’m in my 4th semester of a BSN program out of 5. Our program tells us to start thinking about residencies now and applying to them in the beginning of 5th semester. I go to college around 3 hours from my home. I work at a nearby hospital as an extern but am not entirely sure about if I want to work there post grad. It has taken me 5 years to get my degree. Originally at an SEC school for 1 year but then transferred to a smaller school to get my nursing degree. I will be graduating with a de”
“Hi everyone I have two Bachelor's degrees, one in Nursing and the other in International Relations. When I was in high school, I had aspirations to become a diplomat. However, my father at the time was really wanting me to go into healthcare and so I did. I became a nurse and I was really unhappy during nursing school. My father saw how unhappy I was and encouraged me to get a second degree afterwards. So, after I graduated, I immediately got a second degree in International Relations. Howev”
“Hi everyone. I’m a nursing student graduating in 2 semesters! I’m wondering if anyone can give me some advice and help me prepare for an interview in mother/baby & labor & delivery. I got pregnant during school and took a leave of absence after my maternity class, so it’s been over a year since I took that class and did clinicals there. What should I refresh on? Any advice is welcome! submitted by /u/Calm-Molasses-6597 [link] [comments]”
“This depends on so many thing but probably the 2 biggest: Are credentials required in your state? Is it private school? While my state requires credentials for school nursing, my kids went private until high school and that school had volunteer parents labeled as the school “nurse” that day. The volunteer position was literally called nurse. But also—do you know you even have the right person?”
“Hi everyone! I graduate very soon from LPN school, Straight out of school I will be entering an LPN to RN program that is 1 year long. My long term goal is to work in the ER i love stress (which is odd) but i have ADHD and if im not on the move and super busy/stressed I feel miserable. I so far have 2 job offers that are very different from eachother. I have gotten a job offer from a hospital to be an ER Tech but just higher paid since I have my LPN (24/hr) or a LPN at a MAT clinic (35/hr). The”
“I am a big fan of new grad rn's in the ER but it can be a very difficult transition. Sometimes at large academic institutions it can be much harder. Wait 2 years and go apply again even at the same ER.”
“I'm a 37 year old male in my second year of an ADN program. Last week during clinical I was able to be a part of a C-section. I was completely blown away by watching a baby being born and had such a strong emotional response to it that I wasn't expecting. I don't have any of my own children yet. I had no idea I was going to have that type of emotional response to it. It was such a beautiful experience and doing an assessment on a newborn, seeing their eyes lock with mine while they g”
“I’m a new graduate BSN. I finished nursing school back in May this year, and took a break while studying for the NCLEX, and then I start applying for jobs. After 5 rejections, I got two job offers. I accepted one job offer at a hospital for a med-surg position that is 5 minutes away from where I live. To my new grad nursing fellas (and to those from other career fields), don’t give up!!! Ya’ll got this 💪 submitted by /u/SongLily021 [link] [comments]”
“I have considered getting into nursing through an ABSN. I’m willing to take the time and effort to get into nursing, but my only concern is that I don’t want to end up in the same position of not finding a career or a spot to start at. This post is mainly for understanding how I can stand out from other nursing students to help jumpstart that career and not be seen as just another nursing candidate. I really want to do this, but if I’m going to pay out of pocket for this, I want to make it reall”
“I graduated nursing school in 2025 and started my first RN job in the ED at an academic medical center. Emergency nursing was originally what I wanted to do, and I had also completed my senior capstone in an ED. Unfortunately, I didn’t successfully complete my new-grad ED orientation. I want to be transparent about that because it’s a big part of why I’m questioning my next move. I definitely had areas where I needed to improve as a brand-new nurse, and I take responsibility for that. At the sam”
“I graduated nursing school in 2025 and started my first RN job in the ED at an academic medical center. Emergency nursing was originally what I wanted to do, and I had also completed my senior capstone in an ED. Unfortunately, I didn’t successfully complete my new grad ED orientation. I want to be transparent about that because it’s a big part of why I’m questioning my next move. I definitely had areas where I needed to improve as a brand-new nurse, and I take responsibility for that. At the sam”
“Hello, I am a 20 yo girl who is currently in college for a AA degree. I went to nursing school and dropped out within 4 months due to the fact I HATED it. It was not for me and I do NOT want to be a nurse. I feel stuck and don’t know what to go for. I know I’m young and have time but I just would like to get myself started. I’m not opposed to something medical, just don’t want to be a nurse. And I’m also not opposed to any trades. I’m open to anything. What’s some careers that can give me decent”