Want to go into nursing, but seriously off track, help?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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So here's the deal, I originally wanted to get into law school, but after heavily weighing on my decision, I eventually wanted to get into nursing. However, the truth is, I originally applied to be a pre-nursing major, but because of my school's stringent requirements, I missed my opportunity because I couldn't get into 2-3 classes that are essential for the degree, leaving me the option to continue my major in history. Of course, now I am only left with the option of going to nursing through grad-school, but unfortunately, the other problem is that I'm going to graduate very soon (in the next 2 semesters or so) and the only nursing pre-req class I managed to take was human anatomy, psychology of adults (or developmental psychology) and (in most schools) anthropology. So in a nutshell, I can't take any nursing pre-reqs (but I could be very wrong) but I'm still hoping to get into nursing, if at all possible.

A friend of mine suggested that at the worst case, I'll have to attend a JC to become a RN (that's how she did it), but can anyone suggest any ideas on what to do? I am aware that nursing schools (all of them) require a plethora of classes to even apply, but it would appear I'm in some trouble there. So does anyone have any suggestions?

So here's the short list; My situation is:

1. Want to go into nursing, but got interested WAY too late

2. Only managed to take 3 (or more, depending on some schools) pre-reqs for nursing school after undergrad

3. Graduating in 2 semesters an will use those semesters to wrap up my major (so may leave only 1 or 2 classes open to take)

Specializes in ICU.

It seems simple to me. Finish your BA in history. Then look at schools you want to go to for nursing. You will have to complete the prereqs first. That is a fact. Get the prereqs complete and apply to nursing school. There is no I want to be a nurse so I will get into nursing school now, route. If there was I would be a nurse by now.

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Honestly I would rather have a degree and start school again rather than stay without no degree and work on pre-reqs.

If I were you I would graduate with that BA History (CONGRATZ!)

And then continue school. I'm not sure but you sound very panicked and anxious. First take a deep breath...it's okay. This happens a lot with trying to change a major.

BUT DO WHAT YOU WANT! IF YOU WANT TO STAY FOR PRE REQS DO IT! It's really all up to you!!

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I think most of what you're asking really requires you to investigate your choices a little deeply; that's not something that we can do for you. In my personal opinion you should finish your BA in history... you already put effort into studying this you should complete it. You can use a BA to get an entry level job, if you don't have one already, to help support you in taking pre-reqs at a community college, save up for nursing school, or even additional things like CPR training, or save up money so you can spend free time volunteering at a hospital or shadowing a nurse. From there you should look into different schools based on your finances and your specific nursing career goals. I'm currently going for my ADN, but that was a personal choice to make and, after exhaustively looking through the boards I came to the conclusion that I needed to realistically look at what I have now and what I want for myself in the future to understand if an ADN (and whatever comes after) is viable for me. I also have a second degree (BA) and I'm looking into RN-NP programs that will take second degree non BSNs who at least have a year of nursing experience; you may want that type of option in which case completing your BA would be beneficial.

You may want to consider a career in legal consulting, which may pair your interests in law with your nursing skills.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I think we all understand the basics of your situation. You just don't like the answers you are getting. There may be no "direct" route to get from where you are to where you want to be in a short period of time. As a previous poster said, you may have to take a step backwards (or to the side) in order to get to where you want to go for the long term.

1. If you are not planning to use your degree in history, why waste time and money finishing it? Think about and consider all angles. For example, you might find that finishing your BA in History makes you ineligible for undergraduate financial aid for your future nursing studies. If you drop out now, you might preserve your eligibilitry for undergraduate aid for another semester or two. It might be worth doing that -- maybe not -- but you need to investigate that. Do you really have the extra time and money to waste completing a degree you have no intention of using?

Maybe it would be best to drop out ... get a job ... and take a few pre-req's at a local community college. You might be able to start nursing school in another year or so -- still being an undergraduate. If you wait until you graduate with your BA, THEN start your pre-req's, it may take longer and be a lot more expensive.

2. If you think you can get a good job with a History Degree, it might be worthwhile to graduate and get that job. You could then be earning good money while you take your pre-req's 1 course at a time from a local community college. You might also be able to save up some money to help you get through school.

3. But any way you look at it, switching career paths this late in the game is going to expensive and inconvenient. You have to look at all the possible options and decide which expenses and inconveniences are the ones that you can best live with.

4. The AA degree vs. the BS or higher question is complicated. I suggest searching other threads on that topic. Essentially, AA graduates can't get nursing jobs in many communities -- or they can only get the jobs other nurses don't want. That's not true everywhere, but it is definitely true in some areas of the country. What is the situation where you live? Nursing as a profession is in the process of up-grading its educational requirements -- and higher levels of education are increasingly being required for the better jobs. If you start with an AA (the lowest level of RN degree), you will almost certainly need to go back to school for more education to have any opportunity for advancement or choice of jobs. Given that you already have so many of the general education courses for a BSN completed, most people would recommend that aim to start with the BSN as that will be more efficient for you in the long run and give you a better chance of getting a good job right after graduation.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

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I think we all understand the basics of your situation. You just don't like the answers you are getting. There may be no "direct" route to get from where you are to where you want to be in a short period of time. As a previous poster said, you may have to take a step backwards (or to the side) in order to get to where you want to go for the long term.

1. If you are not planning to use your degree in history, why waste time and money finishing it? Think about and consider all angles. For example, you might find that finishing your BA in History makes you ineligible for undergraduate financial aid for your future nursing studies. If you drop out now, you might preserve your eligibilitry for undergraduate aid for another semester or two. It might be worth doing that -- maybe not -- but you need to investigate that. Do you really have the extra time and money to waste completing a degree you have no intention of using? Maybe it would be best to drop out ... get a job ... and take a few pre-req's at a local community college. You might be able to start nursing school in another year or so -- still being an undergraduate. If you wait until you graduate with your BA, THEN start your pre-req's, it may take longer and be a lot more expensive.

2. If you think you can get a good job with a History Degree, it might be worthwhile to graduate and get that job. You could then be earning good money while you take your pre-req's 1 course at a time from a local community college. You might also be able to save up some money to help you get through school.

3. But any way you look at it, switching career paths this late in the game is going to expensive and inconvenient. You have to look at all the possible options and decide which expenses and inconveniences are the ones that you can best live with.

4. The AA degree vs. the BS or higher question is complicated. I suggest searching other threads on that topic. Essentially, AA graduates can't get nursing jobs in many communities -- or they can only get the jobs other nurses don't want. That's not true everywhere, but it is definitely true in some areas of the country. What is the situation where you live?

Nursing as a profession is in the process of up-grading its educational requirements -- and higher levels of education are increasingly being required for the better jobs. If you start with an AA (the lowest level of RN degree), you will almost certainly need to go back to school for more education to have any opportunity for advancement or choice of jobs. Given that you already have so many of the general education courses for a BSN completed, most people would recommend that aim to start with the BSN as that will be more efficient for you in the long run and give you a better chance of getting a good job right after graduation.

THIS is your best choice...complete your nursing pre-req's at a community college; then go get your BSN; if you want a graduate degree in nursing-for what I ask; at this point, the best entry level degree to get is a BSN-there are direct entry MSN programs; usually they have specific Graduate level specialities-Education, CNS, or APN or NP.

It will be up to you to research, research, again, research the path that works best for YOU, and the job market that you are in, and have a clear idea of what nursing is all about-I'll add a suggestion of shadowing a nurse as a part of your fact-finding mission.

As another poster added:

QUOTE="Heathermaizey;7673740]

There is no I want to be a nurse so I will get into nursing school now, route.

It will take work, that that includes:

1. Finding specific programs you would like to get into-don't count on just ONE;

2. Finding out the requirements PRIOR to applying and taking as many pre req's so that when the time to apply; you have the core required courses to ANY school of your choice;

3. Shadowing a nurse, or two, or three; you really need a GOOD insight in the shift of a nurse, or two, or three. Speak to a nursing educator in a hospital setting as well.

4. Peruse here on AN; there are many insightful, honest posts about nursing, being a nursing student, the boards (NCLEX), and finding work (including how difficult it could be).

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Wait, even if I haven't met the pre-reqs, I should still apply to the school?

But what's the difference? I'm sure if both will take you to the RN path, that's good enough isn't it? Wouldn't the AA path be much easier than the other?

I am not sure how you gathered that you should still apply even without the pre-req's done from my post? I am not sure what you don't understand and I don't think I can make it any easier or clearer!

#1. Decide if you want to go for ADN, BSN, ABSN, MSN

#2. Look for schools that offer the degree that you want.

#3. Look at that schools requirements.

#4. If you MEET the requirements then apply. If you DO NOT MEET the requirements then COMPLETE the requirements THEN apply AFTER you complete them.

You can only decide what degree you want to go for. We can not decide that for you. You will have to research degrees/requirements/schools!

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Of course, now I am only left with the option of going to nursing through grad-school

What do you mean by this? You can't take graduate-level nursing classes without already having a nursing degree. I think this may be where some of the confusion is coming from.

My suggestion is to look into aBSN programs like other users mentioned. If you won't be able to get into any without taking extra classes, I would stop working on the History major for now and start your prereqs for a regular nursing track - ADN or BSN. Since you should already have most gen-eds, you can probably get your pre-reqs done in two semesters. You can take the classes to finish your history major wherever you can fit them in and finish that up while you're in prereqs or nursing school if you really want to get that degree.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I think we DO get what you're saying.

What it comes down to is that you can't just get into a program without completing the prereqs. These are REQUIRED.

You sound like you haven't done a whole lot of research on programs. Each one has its own website with everything you'll need in order to apply and to begin (these are different!!). Those would be your best sources of information, with regards to what's required.

As far as what kind of degree to go for, check out the forums here. But there are plenty of people who go the BSN route as a second bachelor's. Some also go the ADN route because it's less expensive. Or there's the aBSN route, which can be expensive but faster.

I'm REALLY confused as to why you plan to continue to pursue your history degree and pay the added expense, both financially and time-wise, if you have no intention of using it, and you know what you'd rather be doing. There's no failure in changing majors or dropping out and going to community college to save money if you know what you actually want.

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If I were you, I would first think about the nursing programs I want to apply to. Find out what their requirements are. Since you are close to completing your degree, it might be smart to finish and look into accelerated ADN programs in addition to other programs you are interested in. Start taking the prereqs at your local community college. This will probably take you a year or so. If you have already received your degree in history, you can look for jobs in that field, or whatever it is you plan on doing with the history degree, while you are taking the prereqs and applying to schools. After you have finished the prereqs, apply to the schools you are interested in and hope for the best.

So in short, do your research, finish your history degree, get a job, take the prereqs and apply, then hopefully nursing school.

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