Hello all ... I just wanted to share my story and have a few questions. I don't know if I am posting this in the right topic, so I apologize if not =) I am a 34 year old single mother of one and haven't even began my journey. I am so excited to get started in the Spring though! Originally I wanted to get my degree the traditional way... through my local college that offers a 4 year BSN. However, after looking into the program I realized how very full time just going to classes and clinicals is. And that's not counting study time   Like I said before I'm a single mom with a 10 yr old and I MUST also work full time to pay bills. So I went on the hunt to find out how I can become a nurse the non-traditional way lol with school only part time. While full time school and full time work is very doable with the right amount of dedication... I have my sweet boy who I will not neglect to do this. So this is my plan...

I will begin EMT basic in the Spring (class 2 nights a week plus clinicals). Then in the Fall semester begin the Paramedic program (class 2 full days a week plus clinicals). It will take me 2 years to become a licensed paramedic. I plan to work as an emt-b while going through the medic program, while still keeping a couple of my clients from my current job (cleaning business) to make up for the poor wages. Then, of course once a medic I will be able to just work the emt-p job.

Now I will go for my nursing degree through an online Paramedic to RN bridge. This is where I have questions...

1. Excelsior or Hutchinson Community College in Kansas???

They are both completely online except that Excelsior has the 3 day clinical test which is doable. Hutchinson doesn't have the test but they do have approx 30 days of clinicals that can either be done in your area (doable) or in ks (which I cannot do).

Does anyone have experience with Hutchinson? How easy is it to get a preceptor in your area using an out of state college?

I'm also torn between the 2 because of how much more the tuitiion will be for excelsior (the only pre-req i will have is A&P from medic program). AND with hutchinson being a college I would be able to apply and likely receive financial aide since I'm a single mom. With excelsior... I will be able to finance most likely but I'd rather not be up to my ears in debt after all this is over with. I will already have to finance 6k for the medic school.

I realize there may not be someone with experience with both... but any feedback or even insight would be appreciated. I have 2 years to make this choice I just really want to be as prepared as possible. I also want to add that I do realize from beginning to end it will take me at least 4 years to obtain an AAS in nursing with this approach. I just don't have the support system to get through this with a child and full time job. Not to mention I can't be away in school for the next 4 years of my kiddo's life.

Thanks to all who read this!

No pre-regs before the em-b or emt-p program. I will be getting my accredited A&P course as part of my paramedic program. So I will still need to take the pre-reqs required (minus A&P) at either excelsior or hutchinson.

As for time spent on my degree... as long as I have no interruptions during my nursing program I will be an RN in 4 years... except an associates rather than a bachelors. Which for me doesn't really hold a lot of weight because I have no interest in management positions.

Tuition is a whole other ball of wax in regards to the 2 programs.

*Excelsior will be around 10K when said and done. This is classes, tests, and practice tests for 1 yr of pre-reqs and 1 yr of nursing compontent ... cpne ONCE and travel expenses for the cpne, again ONCE lol.

*Hutchinson will be around 7K with all pre-reqs UNLESS I cannot find an MSN to preceptor me here. Then I would have TONS of extra expenses traveling to KS for 25 days of clinicals. However this is not even an option. I can't leave for that long at any time nor can I afford that out of pocket expense, period. So that is why I asked how difficult it is to get a preceptor. Do you pay them to do this or is this something I will have to convince someone to do out of the kindness of their heart??

As for going straight into nursing... I have checked into this option and it is just way too demanding. I have a cleaning business that pays well but I do not have benefits and there is no room for advancement without hiring employees and again I have no disire for the management role. So I have to work my clients in from 8 to 5 WHILE they are working. That makes it impossible for me to attend a traditional program where my classes will be spread out throughout the day leaving me with a complete mess to work around.

With the emtb night classes 2 days a week I will be able to keep my clients on the same schedule until emt-b certified. After emtb I will work on an ambulance full time while go to medic school and then work as a medic while doing the nursing program online at my own pace. This is HUGE. I understand that people do this all the time. But I have NO help ... I don't even have someone that can keep my son. He's 10 and can be left at home for a couple hours at a time but not ALL day 5 days a week... just not gonna happen.

So 4 years for an ADN it is lol

Also, another huge benefit to taking this route is ... I will be a license paramedic AND a registered nurse. Since I would want to work in an ER / Trauma center... the prior medic experience as a new graduate will speak volumes! Also another option that really interests me is Flight Nurse. Also, as a medic I could work in a hospital as as ER tech... again great plus for my resume coming out of a nursing program.

So you see... there is more to this approach than just flexibility. I think it will be great. I just need to figure out which online program is best for me.

The PM to RN vs traditional RN wasn't my debate. It was which online program to use for nursing =) Anyone who knows about finding their own preceptor for the Hutchinson's program would be great! Thanks a ton for your advice Teresa!

lol Trauma junkie ... I could totally seeing myself LOVING the medic life. They just get paid so poorly =(  I make the same now cleaning houses lol and that is very sad considering the didication involved in the field.

Thanks Teresa! I really am excited and can't wait for my first class in January =)  It's time for a positive change. While I do well for my son and I now.... I know it can be better. He is a wonderful child and definitely deserves it! And I need to think about my future ... retirement, health care, etc.