Running head: RN to BSN PLAN
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RN to BSN Plan
Jennifer Ames
Ferris State University
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RN to BSN PLAN
RN to BSN Plan
Plans are similar to a road map. In order to be successful in obtaining a goal, one must
know where they begin and where they end. A road map similarly has a starting and end
destination. Along the journey, there are many points where stops are made, checkpoints
obtained, and even occasional detours in the road. Additionally there is no one correct route to
take to reach the end point, but each will pose unique barriers to success. By anticipating where
the checkpoints and potential detours lie ahead, a successful journey is more feasible. My
current plan is to advance my college education by obtaining my BSN degree.
Reasons for Completing BSN Degree
Although I have an intrinsic desire to further my education, I admit that the current push
and drive towards completion is a result of my current job. When I applied for my position in
the Quality Department, holding a BSN was considered a preference of the position. During my
interview, I mentioned that I would be going back to school to complete my BSN if given the
opportunity. An additional external force would be the push by hospital institutions,
accreditation organizations, and even government entities to see nursing become a BSN as
standard practice in hospitals. By 2020, the goal provided by the American Nurses Credentialing
Center is that 80% of direct care nurses have a BSN, and by 2013 100% of nurse managers have
a BSN (“Magnet Recognition”, 2012). Therefore, in order for me to advance to the next level in
the nursing profession, a BSN would be a requirement. By having a clear goal, it will help
motivate, keep the momentum going, visualize my success, and resolve not to give up (Somchai,
2007). Intrinsically this is one of my strengths. I have never stopped half way once I commit to
an endeavor, and even have completed goals when told it was unfeasible. Additionally, time
management and self motivation are strengths of mine. While I report to a manager, my job
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RN to BSN PLAN
dictates I complete the work on my own and budget many projects independently, similar to
online classes. Unfortunately, the external forces behind my completing my degree would also
be my biggest weakness. As the push is not driven by me, I can easily see myself wavering
along the path of completion. I must continue to onward to the end point.
Timeline
While there is no stated speed at which I must obtain my degree, I prefer to go along the
journey in a slow and steady pace. I plan on only being a part time student and taking one or two
classes at a time along the path. With working a fulltime day job as nurse and being a fulltime
wife and mother at night and on the weekends, time is of an essence. My new position requires
forty hours and five days a week and with a young toddler at home, school work is limited to
after 8pm each evening. By only taking one class this would ensure I do not miss out on this
precious time in her childhood. Secondly, financial demands also dictate my timeline to which I
complete my degree. Balancing family financial constraints with the added financial demand of
almost $400/credit hour, a slow and steady pace will help ensure that financial issues are not a
detour in the journey. My current employer offers tuition assistance at $2,000 a year to help
offset the financial burden of obtaining my degree (Mecosta, 2012). By taking this route in my
road map, I anticipate obtaining my degree at the end of 2015. This timeline will allow for two
semesters off for family time, rejuvenation, and an anticipated 10 year wedding anniversary trip
in the summer of 2015.
Curriculum Needed
Currently I have my ADN degree from Grand Rapids Community College and an
additional BSN degree from the University of Wyoming in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and
Management. Because of having both of these college degrees, I have only the minimum 30
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RN to BSN PLAN
residency credits to take at Ferris State University to obtain my BSN degree and completing my
road map. By examining my BSN checklist through my advisor (Ferris, 2012) and completing
an audit of “My Degree” as seen in Appendix A, 29 of those are already determined through the
university. 28 credits are predefined nursing courses, which includes one nursing elective class.
Although my current position is primarily in the quality department, I do still work some hours
in the emergency department. Therefore I have elected to take NURS 319, disaster nursing and
emergency preparedness. I plan to follow the sequence of nursing classes with taking my
elective in spring 2014 (School of Nursing, 2012). The last predetermined credit is an
epidemiology course, in which I am currently enrolled. That leaves me with one credit, in which
I can take any course offered at the university. By reviewing courses that are offered online at
Ferris State, I am planning on taking a three credit popular culture elective, HUMN 240. This
also serves as my cultural enrichment requirement. I correlate each of these classes along the
way as my checkpoints in the road map of my journey to complete my BSN.
Barriers
Along the journey of completing my road map, bumps in the road and potential detours
are likely to arise. As previously mentioned I do have a family and desire to continue to grow
that family. In the short time of already being enrolled in this program, I discovered that I was
pregnant, carrying a child with a genetic disability, and ultimately lost that child a month ago.
While the medical costs associated with the pregnancy and grief associated with the loss could
have easily derailed my plan, a slight detour instead has taken place. Due to medical bills I can
not afford to go year round in 2014, so the summer semester will be taken off. If we were to
become pregnant again with another difficult pregnancy, additional detours may have to take
place. While this may slow the timeline down by taking some additional semesters off, the
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RN to BSN PLAN
internal and external forces behind my degree completion will help me to continue on. This also
demonstrates why through most of the program only one class is taken at a time, with the
exception of my nursing capstone classes. By taking one class at a time, financial barriers and
potential health issues associated with my family are kept to a minimum interference. I do not
qualify for grants due to income and do not take out more student loans, a reason why I obtained
my ADN initially instead of pursuing a second degree program. Additionally by scheduling in
semesters off and keeping a small class load, this will allow some cushion in my schedule. If I
were to need to take a semester off due to family or financial issues and double up on classes
another semester, this plan would account for that.
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RN to BSN PLAN
References
Dieck, W. (2009, July 13). Breaking through your barriers to success. Retrieved October 10,
2012, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Breaking-Through-Your-Barriers-to-Success&id=2605809
Ferris State University (2012, August). Planning check sheet- RN to Bachelor of Science in
Nuursing (BSN). Retrieved from
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?shva=1#inbox/137573f8b67be1e8
Magnet recognition program FAQ: data and expected outcomes. Retrieved September 25, 2012,
from http://www.nursecredentialing.org/FunctionalCategory/FAQs/DEO-FAQ.html
Mecosta County Medical Center (2012, May). HRG #335: Educational Assistance Program,
Human Resources. page 3/para 1. Retrieved October 10, 2012 from
http://thepulse/PolicyCenter/HumRes/default.aspx
School of Nursing (2012, March 6). RN to BSN completion program- course schedule. Retrieved
from http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/RN-to-BSN/Schedule1.pdf
Somchai, J. (2007, July 13). Seven steps to follow through your action plan. Retrieved October
10, 2012, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Seven-Steps-to-Follow-Through-Your-Action-Plan&id=643784