Nursing School Assistance

If you are in a Master's program, then you know how to process information and how to study, how to show up to class, how to take tests, so I think you will be able to "cut it."

My advice is to do whatever you can to get A's in your prerequisite courses. A very high GPA will help you stand out in a pool of applicants. I couldn't get A's in Chemistry -- got two B's, but I had A's in everything else. My GPA is 3.7. Not great, but a lot higher than some other folks, I hear.

I wouldn't study for the HESI test now at all. I bought my book about 10 days before the test. You may not even have to take it for the schools you are applying to. Check. As well, some schools require physics, anatomy/phys, biology, and some just require reading comp, math, grammar, and vocabulary.

I did study, mostly because I feel like I needed an edge to stand out. I am not a 4.0 and I have largely been home with children for the last 16 years. No exciting resume -- just a lot of part-time and freelance work. I didn't want to get, say, an 82% on the test and be stuck in the middle somewhere. I studied for the A&P and biology, and when I got to the test, they only administered the reading comp, math, grammar, and vocabulary. No sweat. I think I was done in two hours.

I took it yesterday and got a 94%.

So, to recap:
get A's in your prereq courses.
decide where you want to apply and research pros and cons of the schools
plan your nursing education to include higher ed, if you want it. I plan on getting a straight RN, then working for two years, then doing a bridge program from RN to NP master's degree.
It is cheaper and faster than a BSN first, plus I have heard that RN schools have higher clinical hours. Not sure if that is true, though.
Another plus about getting an RN first is that there are hospitals that give scholarships in exchange for commitment to work -- you can have your school paid for, and a job when you get out ( if there are jobs by then).
You can easily pick up the BSN after your RN with a few courses.

You might want to get your Pre-reqs. out of the way and continue with your RN. There's only about 6 months difference between the 2 programs once you have your Pre-reqs. completed. Have you looked into a private college? I know its more money, but you might be eligible for an academic scholarship. That's what I am doing. I finished my Bachelors in Sociology and then applied for a 16 month Nursing program to complete my BSN. With you already having a bachelors degree you should have an easier time getting into the program at an University rather than a Community College. The CC's seem to have many more applicants! Some private University's don't require you to do entrance exams and other exams like the NAT or TEAS, etc. They focus more on personal recommendations and your interview. Good Luck!!

To answer your original question, here are some of the reputable schools that are not expensive in the area (I live in Clearwater):

pTech for LPN program that will not break the bank (no pre-reqs)

Pasco Hernando Community College has both LPN and RN programs at Community College prices (limited pre-reqs)

and St Petersburg College (RN and BSN - lots of pre-reqs), which you said you've already looked into.

I can't say what route is best for you, but my plan (later in life career changer too - I'm 46, and dropping out for the corporate/IT rat race) since being laid off back in April is to finish up my pre-reqs for SPC and go for my RN. In planning that out looking at their requirements, and along with reading posts here, I also decided to look into PHCC. I'm almost half way in between SPC and PHCC distance-wise. Everything at SPC is transferable to PHCC and back again (for my BSN). PHCC has fewer pre-reqs, though they require Human Nutrition and SPC does not. I'm taking that this Spring online with them. PHCC requires the TEAS entrance exam. Each school has slightly different application deadlines. And yes, each factor in your residency. I'm willing to move to Pasco county if it looks like that school is my best shot. I'm also planning on applying to any/all Earn As You Learn (EAYL) programs. As another option, if I don't get into either school (somehow), I'll consider pTEC's LPN program (besides the day program, they have an evening track and a online option) and then do a LPN-RN bridge/transition program.

My boyfriend, also 46 and career changing, opted to go for his LPN so that he would quickly be re-employable most quickly. He lives in Michigan right now and the state has funds that are paying for his (pricey, in my opinion) program. Once he finishes, he's planning on moving to FL and working while he continues his education (online LPN - BSN or MSN program). He has said though, that he'll be taking most of his classes over...but at least at his own pace and he's working.

Once I/he gets done...and my youngest finishes high school (+/- 1 year of each other) then we will be free to move about the country (staying for now, so that my 15-yr old son is close to his father...even if that relationship never really blossoms) unless I'm locked into a EAYL contract, which isn't the worst possible situation!

Good luck, whatever you decide! You're not alone!

Sharon