It has been 5 years since I worked with the College Network, recruiting nurses to go back to school to get their ASN, BSN, or MSN.  I was always amazed at the number of nurses who said "No" to going back to school. Most of the excuses I heard were something like this:

• I don't have the time
• I heard the clinicals were too hard.
• I heard you can't pass the clinicals
• I do more than those BSN nurses anyway
• I don't have the money
• That clinical costs too much money
• What if I don't pass

Those are all excuses based on fear, gossip, and simply being stuck in a rut for several years.  It's time to stop the excuses and stop listening to other people (letting them control) your life, and move on to the goals and dreams you have as a nurse.

I don't work for the College Network anymore.  I have not interest in how you get your degree… just get it.  If that means enrolling right now so you can start school this January at your community college or 4-year nursing school, then take action today.  If that means arranging the financing so you can get started with an online nursing degree program, thenn do that today.  Just get it done.  Let me give you the best reasons why:

1. You give yourself an immediate raise.  Stop bitching about those who make more than you and do less work. Sometimes I think some nurses would rather bitch about life than do something about it. You know better than me the kind of money that awaits you if you finish your ASN, BSN, or MSN.
2. You open the door to better health care opportunities. What kind of jobs would immediately open for you if you had your BSN? Are you tired of lifting patients yet? How many more years until you are not physically able to do your current nursing duties?
3. Life your life, not someone elses.  I have met WAY TOO MANY nurses who would rather be drug down by those around them than life their own life.
4. Higher level nursing degrees will be a must. Those 25 year old nurses who have their BSN and earn more than you, even though you have 20 years of experience – they aren't better than you – they just made a better choice than you.
5. If you can't do it for yourself, do it for your family.  I met a nurse who took 3 years to finish her BSN.  Within 2 months she receive a huge promotion, earning an extra $40,000 per year! What could you and your family do with an extra $40K?

Listen, I'm not saying going back to school is easy.  However, I am saying that it is time to speak the truth to yourself and stop making excuses.  Earning your nursing degree online may be exactly what you need to do.  Or, going back to your community college and getting your ASN may be exactly what you need to do.  As we push forward in the months and years to come, I don't think you will ever say, "I wish I hadn't gone back to school."  However, I think the opposite will always be true.