At A Crossroads

[annabellarose77]

Hi everyone,

I decided to go back to my community college at age 41 to finish my prerequisites in hopes of getting into a BS program for Nursing. I just have 3 courses, 2 of which are currently in process, to finish with an Associates in Science for this program. The problem is, I am discovering a true love for the science aspect, and am questioning if I should change my path to Medical Lab Science instead. I get more excited about dissections and looking under the microscope than I do thinking about care plans and assessments. Honestly, if I could go back, I would have went the Pathology route a long time ago. Now, I'm much too old for medical school. I really like the thought of becoming a Pathology Assistant, but these programs are very limited, and I would have to move which isn't really an option for me. If I change majors now, I will be adding a lot more courses that I need to take, and will have to pay out of pocket because my financial aid for general ed courses have been used up. I was a CNA for over 10 years and love taking care of people, but I don't know if that's enough for me anymore. I don't know of any nursing specialities that I could work in pathology specifically except for Forensics, which is hard to get into in my area. It's hard to decide because if I go the MLS route, it will take more time and money, but if I continue on the Nursing path and hate it, then I've wasted all that time and money. I can't afford at my age to waste anymore time. I know that I'm the only one who can answer this question, but I would love to get some opinions, and maybe ideas of nursing specialities I haven't thought of that focus on pathology/histology. Any former MLS that changed to Nursing or vice versa?

Thank you in advance for any opinions/suggestions/advice you can provide.

[morelaur]

Hey there, I think you should follow your passion! You haven't committed to nursing school yet so it's not too late. If you see yourself going the Pathology Assistant route, then that's what you should do! Nursing school is a commitment and it will suck up A LOT of your free time and at times, your sanity, not to mention it is a huge financial commitment, so I recommend being 100% positive it's what you want to do. If not, follow your heart! You will be happier in the long run.

Best of luck to you!