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| No. 10 | 
Jul 13, 2009, 10:06 AM
 Re: I'm 39 and want to become a nurse.
Yes, you can pursue an advanced degree part-time, though keep in mind that there often is a deadline to get it done (e.g., in my state, you've got six years to complete a master's once the clock starts ticking). It's also possible to get an extension if you find yourself in a bind. For me, an accelerated BSN was affordable; now that I'm working full-time, the hospital will pay for my master's, which I am working on on a part-time basis.
Something else to consider: Do the hospitals in your area prefer BSNs? This is a growing trend. In Boston, for example, the BSN is the preferred degree, and many posters on this board say it's tough to get a job in a city hospital with an ASN. That's certainly not the case everywhere. But it's worth looking at the institutions where you might want to work to find out what their current requirements are before you decide which degree to pursue. (In my area, city hospitals prefer BSNs for ICU jobs, for example, but the trend is toward hospitals here to seek magnet accreditation, which means if they get it, they commit to promoting only BSNs, not ASNs. Something else to consider if you want to keep your options open.)
An accelerated BSN takes about 15 months, give or take, depending on the program, and it goes year-round. (So do some ASN programs; in my area, the drawback was that they were only offered on spring-fall semesters, which meant a three-year commitment including pre-reqs. That was far too long for me to be out of the job market.) You can do many of the pre-reqs online and take advantage of community college prices (around here, $80 a credit hour), then transfer those to the accelerated BSN program. Always a good idea to check with your target nursing school first, of course, to make sure they'll accept the credits. The accelerated BSN is intense -- about 500-600 pages of science reading a week in my program -- but given that you've already done a JD, you'd likely find it quite manageable.
One other thing to consider: Where do you want to work? My adviser urged me to go in at the highest academic level I could, and initially my target was a master's degree for non-nurses. I'd have come out of it as a nurse practitioner. But once I was sure I wanted to work in a hospital setting, she urged me to go for the BSN because it would be difficult for me to find work as an NP in a hospital with no experience. By going for the BSN and gradually earning a master's, I preserve my income, get the experience and let the hospital pay for the higher degree. Ka-ching!
I saved up for a long time to go back to school, and I took a substantial pay cut to become a nurse. Am I happy? You bet. Who cares if you're 39? You'll be 43 in a few years anyway, whether you're a prosecutor or a nurse. If anything, you bring life experience to the job -- and that's invaluable in stressful situations. And consider this, as my adviser once said to me: You don't like your current nursing job? Reinvent yourself. Find something new. Nursing has so many, many avenues to explore.
 | | Advertisement Sponsored Links | | | | No. 11 |
Jul 13, 2009, 11:51 AM
Updated
Jul 13, 2009 at 12:35 PM by quinnsite
Re: I'm 39 and want to become a nurse.
It looks like my best option, for better or worse, may be pursuing my RN-BSN after completing my ASN and begining work.
1. Unfortunately there aren't any acceerated programs, that I could find, in Western Washington. Although I agree with the suggestions that even with travel considerations an accelerated BSN program would be the way to go. I wish circumstances were otherwise.
2. University of Washington offers the satelite RN-BSN program closer to home (20 minutes). Again, I suppose I could complete that while I'm working and contributing to the family finances.
3. In response to Freedom42's question... it's my understanding that there is no preference, per se, for BSNs by local employers. In fact, our local community college recently started the ASN program in response to the need for qualified nurses. I also have a friend who finished the ASN program an began working almost immediately thereafter. So my hope is even with the ASN, to start, I'll be gainfully employed while pursuing my BSN. (fingers crossed!)
Just as an update: I'm meeting with a nursing school advisor tomorrow. I will discuss with her all these issues you guys/gals raised. Anyting else I should be asking?
Thanks again all! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!!
| | No. 12 |
Jul 13, 2009, 05:00 PM
Re: I'm 39 and want to become a nurse.
I say do it!
10 years from now, you could be exactly where you are today :unhappy and thinking "why didn't I start back then?"
I'm a young fella (28), but I've been through enough jobs in my life to know that like every job, nursing has it's issues. The reward I get when I make someone better, to enter their world for a few days and then send them on makes me get up each day more thankful for the life I have.
ASN-BSN really doesn't matter in terms of employment, if you have the license, you are a nurse!
you can do it brother....join the dark side!
| | No. 13 |
Jul 13, 2009, 05:22 PM
Re: I'm 39 and want to become a nurse. Originally Posted by locolorenzo22  I say do it!
10 years from now, you could be exactly where you are today :unhappy and thinking "why didn't I start back then?"
I'm a young fella (28), but I've been through enough jobs in my life to know that like every job, nursing has it's issues. The reward I get when I make someone better, to enter their world for a few days and then send them on makes me get up each day more thankful for the life I have.
ASN-BSN really doesn't matter in terms of employment, if you have the license, you are a nurse!
you can do it brother....join the dark side!
Thanks man. I appreciate the encouragement!
| | No. 14 |
Jul 13, 2009, 05:40 PM
Re: I'm 39 and want to become a nurse.
I went to LPN school when I was in my late 20's, had a child in Kindergarden at the time. 14 years later, I graduated from nursing school again, with an ADS in nursing. I aced my boards, and stayed at the same place where I worked as an LPN. I just got an upgrade in pay, and more responsibility. But, I LOVE it! My husband and I moved to AZ in 2002, and now my pay is DOUBLE what it was in Pa. after 20 years at the same hospital. So, my friend and future colleague, GO FOR IT!!!! You will be in demand, and find new challenges every day. You know that you have done a good job, when you can say "I made a difference in someone's life today" when you go to bed at night. Good Luck. Keep posting, and I am sure that you will get tons of support from everyone else on the web site.
| | No. 15 |
Jul 13, 2009, 06:32 PM
Re: I'm 39 and want to become a nurse. Originally Posted by barbnicu I went to LPN school when I was in my late 20's, had a child in Kindergarden at the time. 14 years later, I graduated from nursing school again, with an ADS in nursing. I aced my boards, and stayed at the same place where I worked as an LPN. I just got an upgrade in pay, and more responsibility. But, I LOVE it! My husband and I moved to AZ in 2002, and now my pay is DOUBLE what it was in Pa. after 20 years at the same hospital. So, my friend and future colleague, GO FOR IT!!!! You will be in demand, and find new challenges every day. You know that you have done a good job, when you can say "I made a difference in someone's life today" when you go to bed at night. Good Luck. Keep posting, and I am sure that you will get tons of support from everyone else on the web site.
Thanks Barbnicu! Every post I receive just gets better and better! I find myself checking back throughout the day just to get my fix!!
And I agree, the idea of helping my patients on a daily basis sure will beat the heck out the frustrations and I currently face as an attorney, where even in my case, wearing the "white hat" as a criminal prosecutor (the supposed good guy in the system) I am often the target of scorn and unfair criticism -- just for doing my job! Top it off with the stress and animosity rising from the advesarial system! I get paid to fight, and I'm sick of fighting. I'm also sick of seeing the seedier side of society--knowing I'm not really helping. I'm just cleaning the streets. I am SO ready to move on!
| | No. 16 |
Jul 13, 2009, 08:01 PM
Re: I'm 39 and want to become a nurse. Originally Posted by quinnsite I am often the target of scorn and unfair criticism -- just for doing my job!
Just for the record, nurses often are the target of unfair criticism "just for doing their job" , such as a MDs yelling at a nurse for calling them in the middle of the night for something they might consider obvious but the nurse *legally* has to call the MD for (though I don't think men get as much as flak from physicians as women). It's also not unheard of for nurses to get next to impossible workloads and then when the nurses don't get everything done or have to stay late, managers criticize the nurses for not managing their time well and many places won't approve any overtime pay. I get paid to fight, and I'm sick of fighting.
. Nurses sometimes have to fight the MDs if they aren't open to feedback from nurses or have to fight administration in regard to working conditions. Nurses unfortunately have very little weight in such fights with many administrations taking the attitude that if you don't like it, they can easily find someone else more than willing to do your job. On the other hand, compared to the kind of fighting you've gotten used to, these types of fights might seem like nothing or seem more meaningful since it impacts patient care. I'm also sick of seeing the seedier side of society--knowing I'm not really helping. I'm just cleaning the streets. I am SO ready to move on!
I'd suggest perhaps avoiding ER, then, as they often see the same patients coming in again and again, such as drug-seekers, homeless with chronic diseases who won't stay in shelters or get regular medical care, folks looking for "free" medical care even when it's not even close to an emergency, etc. Some hospital units have "frequent fliers" who despite previous attempts at education and home health follow up don't follow their treatment plans and keep ending up back in the hospital, often at the expense of taxpayers.
Just food for thought. As you continue to research your options and get more information about possibilities in nursing, if you continue to want to be nurse, then definitely go for it!
However, you haven't mentioned if you've looked into other avenues in law that might better suit you personally and be more fulfilling. It might mean a pay cut and starting all over at the bottom somewhere in a completely different capacity, but changing careers probably means an even bigger pay cut (at least initially) as well as having to invest more time and money in education & training. Am I correct in my understanding that not all lawyers work in an adversarial capacity? Or maybe there's some kind of advocacy work that your JD would uniquely qualify you for. Or maybe there's something in medical-legal issues you could get involved with.
I'm saying this as someone who got a degree in nursing but after trying several different positions realized that nursing wasn't for me. I loved the idea of it and really enjoyed learning new things and getting the chance to see and try things as a student; but when it came down to it, I finally had to admit to myself that I prefer a desk job! So I was considering going back to school for something else, but decided I'd see what I could get that could utilize my nursing background but that wasn't actually practicing nursing. And I was able to find a couple of different things and am very pleased with where I am now (data management in a hospital).
But if you just want out of law completely, I understand that, too!
| | No. 17 |
Jul 13, 2009, 09:32 PM
Re: I'm 39 and want to become a nurse. Originally Posted by jjjoy Just for the record, nurses often are the target of unfair criticism "just for doing their job" , such as a MDs yelling at a nurse for calling them in the middle of the night for something they might consider obvious but the nurse *legally* has to call the MD for (though I don't think men get as much as flak from physicians as women). It's also not unheard of for nurses to get next to impossible workloads and then when the nurses don't get everything done or have to stay late, managers criticize the nurses for not managing their time well and many places won't approve any overtime pay.
. Nurses sometimes have to fight the MDs if they aren't open to feedback from nurses or have to fight administration in regard to working conditions. Nurses unfortunately have very little weight in such fights with many administrations taking the attitude that if you don't like it, they can easily find someone else more than willing to do your job. On the other hand, compared to the kind of fighting you've gotten used to, these types of fights might seem like nothing or seem more meaningful since it impacts patient care.
I'd suggest perhaps avoiding ER, then, as they often see the same patients coming in again and again, such as drug-seekers, homeless with chronic diseases who won't stay in shelters or get regular medical care, folks looking for "free" medical care even when it's not even close to an emergency, etc. Some hospital units have "frequent fliers" who despite previous attempts at education and home health follow up don't follow their treatment plans and keep ending up back in the hospital, often at the expense of taxpayers.
Just food for thought. As you continue to research your options and get more information about possibilities in nursing, if you continue to want to be nurse, then definitely go for it!
However, you haven't mentioned if you've looked into other avenues in law that might better suit you personally and be more fulfilling. It might mean a pay cut and starting all over at the bottom somewhere in a completely different capacity, but changing careers probably means an even bigger pay cut (at least initially) as well as having to invest more time and money in education & training. Am I correct in my understanding that not all lawyers work in an adversarial capacity? Or maybe there's some kind of advocacy work that your JD would uniquely qualify you for. Or maybe there's something in medical-legal issues you could get involved with.
I'm saying this as someone who got a degree in nursing but after trying several different positions realized that nursing wasn't for me. I loved the idea of it and really enjoyed learning new things and getting the chance to see and try things as a student; but when it came down to it, I finally had to admit to myself that I prefer a desk job! So I was considering going back to school for something else, but decided I'd see what I could get that could utilize my nursing background but that wasn't actually practicing nursing. And I was able to find a couple of different things and am very pleased with where I am now (data management in a hospital).
But if you just want out of law completely, I understand that, too!
JJJoy-
Thanks for your observations! I realized, even as I wrote my last post, that I'd receive a response like yours. I, fo course, recognize that many of the issues I point to apply to a wide range of professions. I will say this, though, the practice of law (in general; transactional work or litigation) is a unique animal. Ask any lawyer, they'll tell you. In fact, not many of them will EVER recommend that people they care about pursue law school and the practice. If they do with a straight face, well...
To answer your question about various areas of law. You are correct, there are other practice areas. Unforutnately (or fortunately) I don't have much of an interest in pursuing these areas (like civil litigation; contract work; property or business law--much of this stuff would just run your soul into the ground!) Additionally, you're never really away from your work or clients. You always bring your work home, literally and figuratively. And while there is much one can do with a law degree, there are limited opportunities in the community where I live and moving is not an option. I can also say, after 12 years of being a lawyer (mostly as a prosecutor, but a few years in provate practice and as a public defender) I have had enough!!
It just strikes me that the issues a nurse faces, as you mentioned, are to be expected. But in the end, as you mention, the end goal of providing care to a patient is worth the ocasional adversity. Also, I hate desk jobs!!!! 
THANKS for your input!
| | No. 19 |
Jul 14, 2009, 04:26 AM
Re: I'm 39 and want to become a nurse.
Hey there brother,
I retired from the Coast Guard out of Seattle, that area is hard to get into a school or find one physically close enough to get to. I wound up moving to East TN, many schools nearby, many programs, acclerated BSN, MSN for second degree holders, ADN, LPN, etc. I finish up my LPN next month and start on my RN in August.
Many good inputs, it's hard going from a high power job to wiping the arses, but it's doable, I was 20 yrs military and then an operations manager for the railroad, I'm now 42 and working as a CNA while finishing up school. Man how things change...pro's and con's brother, mostly pro's, but a lot of con's going into nursing.
Good luck with your new career, for acclerated BSN I thought that Pacific Lutheran had a program near Tacoma? I don't know, I was living in Port Orchard at the time and there were waiting lists as far as the eye could see for nursing schools, I left the state to get into school, plus I was tired of the Seattle stress.
Take care.
Tony
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