Applying for nursing programs at 30?

verene, MSN · Jun 19, 2017

Hi verene, Thanks for your in depth analysis of each nursing course.
Other questions I have:
1. Say I begin with the LPN courses, is it also possible to complete this and then find another program for RN?
2. If I decide to apply for accelerated BSN, do I need to complete the prereqs BEFORE applying for accelerated BSN, or do these programs accept you first and then you can go complete the prereqs before school?
Because I know a lot of schools have slightly different prereqs, and it would be a shame to finish the prereqs required by a certain school and not get admitted or considered. How do most schools function?
3. During LPN courses, are the students put in hospitals/clinics to work immediately? What about accelerated BSN?

1) Yes, LPN to RN and LPN to RN/BSN bridge programs exist. Many may even be stream-lined with the LPN program (e.g. a community college may allow students passing their LPN program to automatically be granted eligibility to enroll in their ADN program with little additional work).

2) Typically *most* pre-reqs need to be completed at time of application, but not necessarily all. The fact that every nursing program in the U.S. seems to be just *slightly* different in their pre-reqs and what they are looking for is a headache. When going through the application process myself I drew up an excel sheet with all the programs I was interested in and their requirements, and then focused on completing the coursework that was relevant to all or most of the programs I was interested in. One difference between LPN & ADN level programs and BSN level programs is that LPN & ADN are more likely to just look at your pre-req grades and possibly a test (HESI or TEAS) score (and usually want ALL pre-reqs completed at time of application) whereas BSN smd ABSN are more likely to also evaluate past academic performance, work experience, and may also require essays and letters of recommendation. At least this was my experience with the programs I ended up applying to.

3) All nursing students no matter their level complete clinical hours as part of their training. Of note, nursing students are not paid for the time they provide clinical care because it is part of the education experience. However, students in ADN and traditional BSN programs may be able to apply for student nurse externships (paid internships) for additional experience.

I'm currently a student in an ABSN program and from my experience we had little patient contact our first term. It was a lot of lecture and teaching us the basics so we were well prepared for when we did finally get to work with patients. All the subsequent terms are spent with more than half of our "school time" in a patient-care setting. Much of it has been hospital based for me, but I also spent a term in a community based placement. I have heard that other programs are set up differently with students starting in the clinical setting in their first term.

shasta13 · Jun 19, 2017

^^excellent post by verene above!

Just to share my experience, I decided to go the ABSN route because in my area, hospitals don't hire ADN RNs (which was my first choice route, due to time and money.) Because of that, my new plan was to apply to three programs: first, the ABSN, then the traditional BSN, then the associates program at my local community college (where I completed prereqs) and then bridge to BSN. I had also considered WGU, since there's a BSN program in my area.

All three programs had slightly different prereqs. Since my first choice was the ABSN, I concentrated on those prereqs. Had I not been accepted, it would have taken me another semester to complete the class I needed for my other choices, but I ended up not having to worry about it.

In my ABSN program, we start clinicals at week 5.

FutureNurseInfo · Jun 19, 2017

I am turning 31 soon, so you are not old. As far as what path you should take, it depends. I live in NYC so it is very competitive, and the job market is saturated with graduates. Therefore, I will only apply to ABSN, BSN or Direct Entry Masters. Why? I cannot waste time getting ADN, then doing BSN. Also, not only do I already have a BA, but I also have a MS. Your situation maybe different. If you live in a location where hospitals gladly will hire ADN nurses, then go for ADN.

araew2129, ADN · Jun 19, 2017

I am currently working on prereqs to apply for a direct entry master's program and I am 35, changing careers from social work. I chose the direct entry master's route in order to qualify for financial aide/loans since I won't as a second bachelor's student. If I am not accepted when the time comes I will look at applying for an ABSN program and looking into private student loans. Good luck with whatever you decide!

xhidex33 · Jun 20, 2017

Thank you so much for all your input. This really helps.

bekind_andtrue · Jun 21, 2017

The LPN program I completed did not have any prerequisites. Our clinicals started the 2nd month of our program - we went to two different nursing homes and two different hospitals. While in the hospitals I was able to spend time in the ER, Neuro, Med-Surg and Labor/Delivery units. Every school will offer different experiences but in my area most of the RNs who were LPNs first say that they received much more clinical experience in the LPN program.

The reality of being an LPN is that there are not too many positions available in the hospitals. Something rather odd that I've noticed is that the only Magnet hospital in my area is also the only one in the area who is still hiring LPNs... This is odd because Magnet hospitals usually gain that status by having a high number percentage of nurses who have a BSN. I actually know someone who has been working there as an LPN and just graduated from RN school last month - with her tuition paid by the hospital. I'm sure that she had to sign a contract with them to continue on for her BSN as well.

LPNs have a "different scope" meaning that we do not have as wide of a scope. Most of the jobs available are in the nursing home, assisted living and doctor/clinic office setting. HOWEVER - it is my experience that getting a job as an LPN is VERY EASY. I live in Florida so perhaps its because of our large senior citizen population.... but I'd imagine that there are plenty of desperate nursing homes all over the country.

By no means am I saying to become an LPN instead of an RN... RNs have much better work opportunities (not necessarily MORE but definitely better work options)... but if you are looking for steady work and decent pay - then the fastest and more convenient route for you might be to become an LPN first.