Advice needed... very confused about all the different program options!

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Thanks in advance for all of your help.....

I am currently a 37 year old Mom of 2 who has always been interested in nursing and finally has decided to "go for it". I hold a BS and MS in Education and currently teach at a local University fulltime. I am just not sure what the best course of action is for me..... I do have a bit of time as I need to take all of pre-recs..... I don't plan to work fulltime when I start a nursing program. I am also not sure what my best course of action should be if I decide that I want to take out loans for some of it......

Do I just do a BSN program? I know a few of the Universities around me, MD and JHU have MSN to CNL programs... but am not sure how someone could be a CNL without RN experience.......

I am going to an open house at MD the end of the month, but want to be prepared to ask questions when I get there

Again.... any thoughts you might have will be VERY helpful to me....

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Im one of those people that believe in following your heart. So many people get old and say should have, would have, and could have on their dreams. If you really have the desire to become a Nurse then do it. I joined the military and started nursing school because it was something I dreamed of doing. I previous worked as a Social worker for some 9 years and changed.

Questions to ask are regarding previous course taken and courses need to earn nursing degree. The average length of time it will take you. Also the question you asked in you post " how someone could be a CNL without RN experience......." Oh what are you odds of being accepted.

These are questions I would ask. Make sure you have your transcript in hand for review.

Good Luck and God Bless

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Thanks Latrice!!

I have decided that this is what I want to do, but am just really confused with all of the options out there.... especially being in MD where I am so close to JHU and MD school of Nursing....

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I don't understand how you think its possible to become a CNL with no RN experience. If you're in a MSN to CNL program then it is implied that you have a masters degree in nursing, so you are in fact already a RN. Have you considered an accelerated BSN program since you already hold a Bachelor's degree in another field? Once you complete all the pre-req's then you could complete the ABSN in a year or two.

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tila.12 - I don't think that I can become a CNL with no RN experience.... but there is a program at Maryland and JHU that have that..... I am just so confused that I was asking on here what people would recommend I do......

Thanks so much for your response.

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Have you looked into Master's Entry Programs? If you already have a bachelor's degree, then you can try to get into a MEP. I don't know about MD, but here in CA they are very competitive, but if you can get into one, then you spend three years and end up with a Master's in Nursing and your RN. If not, then I would recommend shooting for a BSN. I have a BS in Biology and have just been accepted into a BSN program that begins in January...and I'm 42 years old... so don't let anyone tell you that age is an issue... I was out of school for 15 years and got all A's in my pre-reqs and now will be attending nursing school! I say.. GO FOR IT!!!!

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