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Running head: RN TO BSN PLAN

RN to BSN Plan
Kimberly McPike
Ferris State University
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RN TO BSN PLAN
RN to BSN Plan
My name is Kimberly McPike and I have been a nurse for thirteen years. I am 43 years
old and a single mother of a wonderful son, who is a senior at Aquinas College. I have worked
in the Endoscopy department at Metro Health Hospital for ten years. Metro Health has recently
implemented that all newly hired nurses have five years to obtain their BSN and existing nurses
have ten. I have always wanted to pursue my BSN degree but the timing was never right. I am
helping my son, Kyle, through college and the stressors of work combined with on call hours did
not make it seem feasible. I was excited that Metro was partnering with Ferris State University
for an RN to BSN program because the timing was right for me. My son will be graduating from
college and I am ready for the challenge. Pursing my BSN will help in making lateral moves in
the hospital and keep me competitive with the changes in health care. As a charge nurse, I would
like to possibly pursue a position in management or teach nursing clinicals at the community
college.
Strengths & Weaknesses
The biggest strength in seeking my BSN is that I am foremost dedicated and mentally
ready to take on the task. I am very excited about being in this program. I am eager to learn and
want to do well in my classes. I realize meeting this goal is going to be demanding, but I have
extreme willpower as a motivating factor.
My biggest weakness is having doubts that I cannot complete the program in a timely
manner. I know the biggest challenge will be time management. It is going to be difficult
working full-time while trying to find time for family and school. I am experiencing a huge
learning curve and end up wasting a lot of time with computer issues. I have a hard time
adjusting to the processor but in time it gets easier.
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RN TO BSN PLAN
My Degree Completed
My plan to complete the BSN program will be guided from the RN to BSN course
schedule grid offered at Metro Hospital by FSU. I will follow the classes set forth in My Degree
planner. I will be taking two courses a semester in the spring of 2013 through the spring of
2014. This includes a nursing elective to meet my last 300 level general education requirement.
I will have a light semester of only one course in the summer and the fall of 2014. This will give
me a break to enjoy some time off before I gear up for my last semester of classes. I will end the
program with the last two required courses that will be very time consuming and demanding. I
realize my plan may change but for now this is what I am anticipating.
Timeline
I have twelve classes to take to complete the RN to BSN program. I plan to follow the
course schedule of taking classes from the spring of 2013 to the spring of 2015. This timeline
will consist of five semesters with six credits and two semesters of three credits. This is my
anticipated timeline that I plan to follow.
Barriers
The actual barriers that I have to complete the RN to BSN program are financial, family
obligations, and time management. These barriers will be a challenge as I work around my full-
time work schedule. I have already come into contact with some potential barriers which include
using the computer, learning APA format, and not having enough time for household chores. I
understand this program is going to be very challenging and demanding of my time. I am
grateful for the wonderful resources set forth that will help guide me to reach my goal.


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RN TO BSN PLAN
Plan
In the reviewing process of the RN to BSN plan, I have learned to utilize many resources
to help me overcome my actual and potential barriers. The support and encouragement of my
family, friends, and co-workers will help me attain the plan of completing my BSN. I recognize
meeting this goal is going to be difficult while working 76 hours a pay period and taking call for
emergent cases. The barriers of family obligations and organizing my time will be a challenge.
It is taking me much longer to maneuver on the computer and to learn APA format. I find it gets
easier by referencing our APA book, course information and internet sites, such as OWL. Ferris
has the TAC center available 24 hours a day to help with computer issues and an online writing
center to review academic writing. The FLITE webinar by Ali Konieczny is a great reference
tool with researching information. My son is a college student who is very knowledgeable with
the computer and is my saving grace when I get frustrated. I will continue to dedicate time, daily
and on the weekends, to complete homework assignments. I have every other Friday off from
work to rest and get caught up on household chores. I will also try to set time aside for family
and friends as a reprieve. I am fortunate that Metro is offering tuition reimbursement up to
$4,000 a calendar year to help offset this financial burden. I just have to commit to two years of
employment after completing the program. I am also thankful for a small grant that I am
receiving from financial aid. I am very proud of how well things are going for me and
enthusiastic to be taking the next big step toward my future career.

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RN TO BSN PLAN
References
Ferris State University. (2012). Ferris Catalog. Retrieved from
http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/fsucatlg/
Ferris State University School of Nursing. (2012). RN to BSN Completion Program-Course
Schedule. Retrieved from http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/RN-to-
BSN/Schedule1.pdf
Ferris State University. (2013).Kimberly McPike. My Degree. Retrieved from www.ferris. edu