New Career Path in Nursing- Advice?

[Christina311]

Hi,

I'm 30, live in Bay Area and currently work in social services. I have a Bachelor's degree in psychology, but have long wanted to pursue a career in nursing and feel that it would be a very fulfilling career and I am ready now before life really starts to interfere. I am interested in an accelerated BSN program but foresee a few challenges and would love to hear encouraging advice from others. I only have about 5-6 prerequisites to fulfill (depending on the school) before I can start applying for nursing programs. It feels so close but so far!

Firstly, I do not have the option to work less than my 9-5 full-time job while fulfilling my science prerequisites. Currently, I am enrolled in a nutrition course for Spring of 2015, but luckily it is online so I don't have to worry about this next semester. I am looking into quarter system community colleges where I live in the Bay Area, but the challenge is that the courses across all of the colleges are inconsistent. Finding a school in California that offers science courses with labs after 5pm at junior colleges seems nearly impossible, which is kind of discouraging. Also, some biology courses aren't offered along with Developmental Psych at the same school- which is fine, but I will be bouncing around from school to school depending on how the course fits my work schedule for that term. I see lots of trade schools that offer night courses but I am weary as they seem overpriced with not a lot of credibility. I truly want to learn the trade and everything that comes before it. Any Bay Area natives who have any experience finding evening courses at the surrounding junior colleges, I would love to hear from you!

In addition, I have a couple of concerns with the ASN/BSN program outcomes. I have over $60K in student loan debt from my undergrad, and to enroll in a BSN program will cost around 80K, I'm estimating. However, I am afraid that with an ASN (which is much, much cheaper), it will be much tougher to find an entry-level position in a hospital right out of college. Thinking that I'll have $130-140K in debt after nursing school, am I going to ever make enough to resolve that debt, and be able to own a home, and have children?

Also.. I have two plans in mind but would love to hear more ideas outside of my own. One is to move home with my parents while I am in a nursing program so that I don't have to worry about cost of living, however I do have monthly expenses that I don't want my parents to have to inherit while I am in school. If anyone has recommendations for nursing programs in Southern California, please advise! Another idea I had would be to go through school anywhere in the state, but will financial aid cover my cost of living, tuition and extra expenses (car payment, phone, etc?). Suggestions and advice from others who went through nursing school as a single person (I am not married and do not have kids) would be greatly appreciated.

Finally, I am beginning a volunteer program with Kaiser. I am doing so because I want the actual clinical experience of working in a hospital and with different units so I can see how it works. Has anyone had success in obtaining employment within hospitals where they volunteered? I understand that it is not a guarantee into a position with the hospital, but wondering if it contributed to getting employment when considered on a resume.

Thank you for taking the time to read my long post! I have so many more questions to come, I'm sure. I don't expect anyone to answer all of them, but really appreciate any input!

Christina

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

First I would say stop volunteering and work as much as possible to pay off that debt. YES you should move home if it is an option and put your rent payment towards paying off debt. Remember interest is always accruing.

Going 130K in debt for a nursing degree is to much. That is my opinion. You are talking about probably 1000-1500 a month for what..20 years? Do what you want, but think long and hard about what you are doing. I think you could go to a CC and probably get an RN for much cheaper. However many hopitals do not hire ADN nurses.

Debt is like being in prison. It prevents you from doing what you want. It is great you are volunteering, but I would say WORK 60 hours a week and live at home and pay down that 60K ASAP. You are 30. If you could pay the 60K off in 2-3 years you could still easily do an ABSN after and not be so strapped. Many people do ABSN even into their 40s. Make a goal to start the ABSN 33-34 age and then work from 35-65. That is 30 solid years.

Those are just suggestions. Do what you feel is best.