Im 34 with a family. I've been on healthcare for 11 years. Im currently a Med Assistant. My employer provides tuition assistance, but only for *one* degree.
I was pursuing nursing initially and i was on a roll at first, passing A&P, micro,psych,etc... The only thing i had left to do was take general chemistry, organic chemistry, and pass an entrance exam.
So when i went for the general chemistry, i was doing fine until i got to the equations then i started failing... I had no choice but to withdraw instead of receiving a D or F. On a side note, i was also dealing with my father's death and my wife's unemployment all at the same time, so i dont think that helped either.
I got really discouraged and ended up changing majors to Accounting, thinking i could probably transition to the business side of healthcare instead.
Its been 18 months now since i switched and my excitement has slowly vanished due to my transition being unsuccessful. Ive gotten a few interviews for internships, ended up not winning any of them, no interviews for entry level positions. I know its because of my 11 years in Patient care but i chose to ignore it and be optimistic... Boy do i feel like an idiot.
This led to me taking another look at nursing, wondering maybe i gave up too easily last time around. Honestly, accounting school work wasn't really that difficult, it was interesting and i dont mind the work, but at the same time i feel kind of attached to patient care for some strange reason i can't put my finger on. I've been doing this for a decade, I've never been in any field this long before.
Problem is im supposed to graduate next semester from accounting, June 2020. I have 5 classes left (2 in accounting and 3 in liberal arts electives). Again, this is my first degree, no money out of my pocket, its being mostly paid for.
Should I switch before i graduate or just finish my BA in accounting first since its only 1 more semester?
As for nursing school options, im looking at the following:
1. Stay at my current school for the BSN. Science prerequisites have *no expiration* at my school's BSN program. So i would basically pick up where i left off, pass the two chemistry classes and take the entrance exam.
2. Go to community college for the ASN. While they only need 1 chemistry, i would have to retake only A&P 1 and 2 because this school has a 5 year expiration on sciences. I honestly don't care if i have to retake them, I'll do whatever it takes.
3. Go to an LPN school for 11 months. No prerequisites required. Just an GED-type entrance exam.
Im sorry for the long post but any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have a B.S. in Accounting and later in life I went back to school and got my RN. Deciding whether or not to finish your Accounting degree you should consider your financial situation. If you have a lower income you could be eligible for a Pell Grant and other money streams for a nursing degree. If you have a Bachelors degree you won't be eligible for a Pell.
Regarding Chemistry, when I took the class it was pretty fast paced. I just wrote down everything he said and also taped the class and then went home and figured it out. Had a class of 52 and only a handful of As and I was one of them, so it worked for me. I would get a tutor as soon as the class started, don't wait until you're struggling. Good luck with what you decide.
I have a B.S. in Accounting and later in life I went back to school and got my RN. Deciding whether or not to finish your Accounting degree you should consider your financial situation. If you have a lower income you could be eligible for a Pell Grant and other money streams for a nursing degree. If you have a Bachelors degree you won't be eligible for a Pell.
Regarding Chemistry, when I took the class it was pretty fast paced. I just wrote down everything he said and also taped the class and then went home and figured it out. Had a class of 52 and only a handful of As and I was one of them, so it worked for me. I would get a tutor as soon as the class started, don't wait until you're struggling. Good luck with what you decide.
Roger that. Yes im currently eligible for pell. However my job/union has been covering 6 credits for me every semester. So my first degree (be it accounting or nursing) will end up being free (pretty much) and any 2nd degree (i.e. nursing) would have to be covered by loans.
So i take your vote is to finish my first degree in nursing instead of accounting (?).
You're already so close, you might as well finish what you started. I recommend taking GE credits that go toward nursing e.g general psychology, lifespan psychology, communications, etc. You may be able to go back to school for nursing and when you do, bear in mind that it's usually cheaper to go to community college for an ADN and go for an RN-BSN program.
You're already so close, you might as well finish what you started. I recommend taking GE credits that go toward nursing e.g general psychology, lifespan psychology, communications, etc. You may be able to go back to school for nursing and when you do, bear in mind that it's usually cheaper to go to community college for an ADN and go for an RN-BSN program.
Thanks. Yeah i already have most of the GE credits. All im missing is the Chemistry. If i go to ADN school i have to retake only A&P 1 and 2 cuz they expire soon, which i dont mind. The science creds at my 4 year school dont expire though.
I have another recommendation: try applying for nursing programs (RN recommended or LVN) for the fall of 2020 so that you don't have to retake your sciences.
Finish your accounting degree then apply for an accelerated BSN program. Take your chemistry and and any other prerequisites at a local community college. Your to close to give on the accounting degree.
This is tough, you are 34, so you have to make decisions now that will get you out of school and become established in your new career, which will help you later. Do you really deep down in your heart want to be an accountant or do you want to be a nurse? Find out how long your accountant classes will last and then decide. Though you do not mind taking A&P over, it is still time keeping you from the degree since most schools you need to have at least completed A&P 1 before they consider you. The people that tried to take Anatomy 2 with nursing classes had a hard time because the both was very time consuming. ADN colleges also have waiting list and are competitive to get in, if you are at a school where you can get in quicker than do that. But if you are not able to get into nursing school immediately, then finishing the Accounting degree makes more sense while you are waiting. I had to wait on a program and ended up doing an Associate of Arts Degree with the courses I already had, this helped me when I went for BSN and MSN, and in this situation it made sense. Also in most places ADN make the same money as BSN, so it all depends on what you are going after.
This is tough, you are 34, so you have to make decisions now that will get you out of school and become established in your new career, which will help you later. Do you really deep down in your heart want to be an accountant or do you want to be a nurse? Find out how long your accountant classes will last and then decide. Though you do not mind taking A&P over, it is still time keeping you from the degree since most schools you need to have at least completed A&P 1 before they consider you. The people that tried to take Anatomy 2 with nursing classes had a hard time because the both was very time consuming. ADN colleges also have waiting list and are competitive to get in, if you are at a school where you can get in quicker than do that. But if you are not able to get into nursing school immediately, then finishing the Accounting degree makes more sense while you are waiting. I had to wait on a program and ended up doing an Associate of Arts Degree with the courses I already had, this helped me when I went for BSN and MSN, and in this situation it made sense. Also in most places ADN make the same money as BSN, so it all depends on what you are going after.
To answer your question, i like certain things about both of them, but i feel like I'm leaning toward RN a little more.
My accounting degree would be done by June 2020. 5 classes left (2 in accounting and 3 in liberal arts electives). So basically one more semester left.
I wouldnt be retaking a&p with my nursing classes, it would be before.
I have 4 nursing options near me:
1. Stay where i am for BSN. Sciences dont expire here. I would just need to take gen chem, org chem, and hesi exam.
2. LPN and then bridge it. No prereqs needed. Just a GED-type entry exam.
3. Public community college for ADN. A&p 1 and 2 only would need to be retaken. Then gen chem, math dosage class, and KAT exam.
4. Private school ADN. A&p 1 and 2 only would need to be retaken. Then gen chem and KAT exam.
To answer your question, i like certain things about both of them, but i feel like I'm leaning toward RN a little more.
My accounting degree would be done by June 2020. 5 classes left (2 in accounting and 3 in liberal arts electives). So basically one more semester left.
I wouldnt be retaking a&p with my nursing classes, it would be before.
I have 4 nursing options near me:
1. Stay where i am for BSN. Sciences dont expire here. I would just need to take gen chem, org chem, and hesi exam.
2. LPN and then bridge it. No prereqs needed. Just a GED-type entry exam.
3. Public community college for ADN. A&p 1 and 2 only would need to be retaken. Then gen chem, math dosage class, and KAT exam.
4. Private school ADN. A&p 1 and 2 only would need to be retaken. Then gen chem and KAT exam.
I get it, well I am one of those people who did worked in hospital cleaning Operating Rooms after surgeries, I think this helped me decide what I wanted to do, then CNA, LPN, RN, BSN, and MSN-FNP, this is how my life kind of worked out. I felt in school the friends I had that did Medical Assistant classes had curriculum that was similar to LPN except for the long term care part, does your hospital hire LPNs? Sometimes we have to take things in steps to accomplish our ultimate goals. LPN route would definitely get you in to nursing sooner, so I would finish the accounting and then start nursing since it will be a semester before you can start, apply for the program that starts Aug/Sept, and go from there. I would definitely take advantage of the options that would allow me to use what I already have. You have the background so you have a head start. You got this.
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
Finish the accounting degree. You only need one more semester. So, you had 2 rejections. That is normal for a new grad with no experience. You have to keep trying. The same would be true for a new grad RN.
Accounting may be boring, but you can make good money. It's a job, not a vacation.
You can continue to prepare for a nursing career in the future, but right now you need to get a decent job and get on with your life.
As for chemistry, yes, it is the toughest class for a lot of healthcare people. Take it at a community college and take it 5 times if you have to. I was getting a D in organic chem because of the stupid equations, but I kept at it and suddenly at the end of the semester a light went off in my brain and I was able to do them. I got an A on my final exam, to the amazement of my professor (and me).
I have a friend who is now a scientist, went to some of the most prestigious schools in the world for science, but she had to take calculus 9 times! Now she has her PhD and multiple awards for her work.
Finish your accounting degree,this is something useful to have,and then proceed to nursing school.I notice you keep mentioning that it has not cost you anything,..well would you have valued it more if you had to pay for it?
You have been very fortunate but you need to settle down and be serious....
Finish your accounting degree,this is something useful to have,and then proceed to nursing school.I notice you keep mentioning that it has not cost you anything,..well would you have valued it more if you had to pay for it?
You have been very fortunate but you need to settle down and be serious....
But should i be concerned with not being eligible for financial aid or tuition assistance for nursing if i finish accounting first?
Wlaurie, RN
170 Posts
I have a B.S. in Accounting and later in life I went back to school and got my RN. Deciding whether or not to finish your Accounting degree you should consider your financial situation. If you have a lower income you could be eligible for a Pell Grant and other money streams for a nursing degree. If you have a Bachelors degree you won't be eligible for a Pell.
Regarding Chemistry, when I took the class it was pretty fast paced. I just wrote down everything he said and also taped the class and then went home and figured it out. Had a class of 52 and only a handful of As and I was one of them, so it worked for me. I would get a tutor as soon as the class started, don't wait until you're struggling. Good luck with what you decide.