Have I done all my research?

[neon puppy]

Hi everyone,

I'm a first time poster with no nursing experience interested in becoming an NP - just looking for some advice. I apologize for the length of this post...but it's not boring! I promise!

Here is some background information:

I'm 29 years old with a BS & MFA under my belt, (Communications & Graphic Design), working at a job that I hate (Internet Marketing, yuck!). After some serious reflection, I've decided to kick that meaningless crap to the curb and pursue a career in nursing.

I know some of you must be asking, "Why does she want to change her career completely? Surely there must be something else out there for her," or maybe, "How does she know that this is the right career move for her?" Believe me - my brain asked me those questions too. And so did my mother-in-law. The best answer I can give is that a) I want to have a career that utilizes practical knowledge b) I want to engage with people every day instead of plugging myself into a computer to create display ads that no one clicks on anyway and c) I want to be challenged and think on my feet. And I want to come home tired.

Now, here is my situation:

I make pretty decent money at this joyless, frighteningly mind-numbing job. My husband (a former EMT) is starting PA school in a week, so I'm basically the only breadwinner here, and so I can't quit. I've looked into Direct-Entry programs in the Boston area, talked to RNs & NPs I know, and created a schedule of the prerequisite courses I will need to fulfill before applying. I'm starting chemistry after Labor Day, and I feel like I'm already ahead of the game because I love Breaking Bad (kidding! but I do love Breaking Bad). Right now, I feel most comfortable taking one class per semester (including summer) because I want to focus on that class and get an A. And then another A. And so on. But that's going to take a few years - I won't be applying to nursing programs until 2016 or 2017 - and by then hopefully my husband will have a job. I'm also going to be looking for evening/weekend volunteer opportunities. (If you've made it this far, congratulations, and do you have any advice about how best to go about volunteering?)

What I want to know is, have I missed anything in my research? Is the Direct Entry route my best option given my circumstances? Have any of you been in similar circumstances?

Thank you in advance for your wonderful advice!

[NJprisonrn]

Try contacting your state nurse's association. They promote nursing as a profession, so they may have some suggestions for you.

[neon puppy]

......

[neon puppy]

I was 29 with no nursing experience when I changed careers.

If you need some help thinking a out options in the Boston area, shout.

Thank you -

I'm curious as to how your experience was making this career change in Boston, especially because I'm at the same age you were. I recently attended an info session at Simmons (very informative, Simmons seems to have a fantastic program and great resources) and I'm attending one tonight at MGH.

What field were you in before nursing? How did you plan out your progress to achieve your goal? How long did it take you? Is there anything you wish you knew before applying? Did you apply to many schools in the Boston area? Did you always plan to do Direct Entry MSN, or were you considering other options?

[Annaiya, NP]

I was a lawyer before deciding I wanted to be a nurse, so I definitely know what it's like to get all of the questions from people that don't understand the need to be a nurse! I continued to work full-time while I took the pre-reqs for nursing. I took 2 classes a semester and it still took me 2 years to finish them all. I chose to do an accelerated BSN program and then get a job and start working before applying to NP school. This was by far the best option for me. A direct entry program wouldn't have worked for me, because I knew I wanted to do critical care, which requires work experience. I was convinced before starting school that I wanted to work in a NICU and be an NNP. When I started my first RN job, I had the opportunity to spend 1 week working in the NICU and I hated it. I think nursing is one of the professions where you don't always know what something will be like until you do it. Which is why shadowing is suggested here. It would be terrible to make such a huge investment and commitment to something only to find out that you don't like it. I applied to NP school 5 months after completing my BSN, but even that was enough to know what I wanted to do as an NP. It also allowed me to work full-time during NP school, which was great. I think unless you know exactly what you want to do as an NP, the direct entry route is not the best way to go. Critical care is fabulous and you can't do it as a direct entry.

One other comment from my experience, I found it took me a while to really wrap my head around how to think like a nurse. I was so used to thinking like a lawyer, and nursing is so different, that I felt behind my 21 year old classmates for a lot of my BSN program. So taking a slower path, can be a little easier on your mental health, lol. Just something else to consider. You have a tremendous amount of responsibility as a nurse, whether you are working as an NP or and RN. I think the direct entry programs are great for certain people, but not for everyone that wants to be an NP.