Bachelors in Accounting to LPN

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  1. which

    • 6
      1yr LPN (somehow , someway)
    • 5
      2 yr LPN (more feasible, allowing me to work)
    • 13
      prereqs to BSN
    • 0
      not mentioned but a LPN to BSN bridge

24 members have participated

Hi Everyone,

I am new here and looking for information/guidance/advice. I'm 28 and graduated with a bachelors in accounting in 2010. I graduated late after having my child.

well, since graduation I have not been able to get any job or experience in accouting. I am currently working in a call center making 34k a year, which I feel is pathetic and I am totally underpaid. I need a career change and not sure what I want to do. My schedule is so tight with a small child that going back to school almost seems impossible.

I am thinking of maybe doing an LPN program, since its usually about a year long. I want to do that but I think it is impossible due to my schedule. They do have night lpn programs ,but they are 2 yrs , and I think it might not be worth it.

I am in MA and I have friends that completed an LPN program and currently get 50-55k a year. That is more than I will ever make. Being that I am 28 with no experience in accounting or anyhing for that matter.

My other option is to maybe do a bsn program. I would complete the prereq's now until end of fall and apply to a bsn or accelerated bsn program.

I always wanted to be a nurse and feel its too late but want to do it!

life is hard right now as a single parent and need to be able to provide for my child better.

which path do you think would be good to get in to nursing?

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Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.

If you want to be a nurse, go for RN, and possibly BSN.

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

Since you have a bachelors, I'd go for the BSN.

TOO OLD??? You are but a child!! LOL. I was 33 when I got my LPN and got my RN four years later!!!!!

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Specializes in IDD, and private duty.

I have a BS in Child Development but couldnt get a job, so I went back for my LPN at 29. I've never regreted it and have had no problem finding jobs in various settings, excluding hospitals.

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Specializes in Maternal Newborn.

I have my Bachelor's in Health Science with a minor in Business (and was a Senior Financial Analyst for 16 years). Though I had a great paying job, I was always curious about if I should of pursued my RN (as this was originally my major). My hubby encouraged me a year ago - I'm starting an Accelerated Bachelor's of Nursing program next week at Samuel Merritt University. It's a one year program (for those that have Bachelor's degrees already). Oh by the way, I'm 45! You are not too old! If you want to be an RN - go for it. For which route, I'd also pursue a BSN - you already have your BS degree and getting an RN (BSN or MSN) would probably be best for you. There are many programs out there - research and see what fits.

Best of luck to you.

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You are not too old I'd say go for it... It's not at all too late... you will just be a highly educated person!!! Best of luck to you!

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You're not too old. I started at 28 too, and also have a previous degree.

I felt the same way. I was in an office job where the most I make is $45-55k (this is small beans living in CA). I could earn commission since I was in real estate but that income is so unpredictable and unreliable.

I got married and the thought of never being able to provide enough for my children's education and my retirement scared me. So I decided to pursue a more rewarding career in nursing before I regretted it later on in life.

Many people end up choosing careers unrelated to their major. And many people of all ages go for 2nd careers. So, don't feel so bad. It is actually quite admirable if you ask me.

I can see why you are considering the LPN route, because its the fastest route to a job with decent pay. Considering you have a little one to provide for, I don't think the LPN route is a bad idea at all. You could start working sooner, and in the meantime, you can start bridging to your RN.

Where I live there is a 1 year LPN program with night classes, or an 18 month program that gives you more free time. Check all your options. But if you have family support, I think you could work part time and go back to school full time easily.

Of course the ABSN or direct entry MSN for non-nurses route would be ideal, but it requires a ton more prerequisites (more time), and your grades/GPA need to be near perfect or better.

I advise you to apply to ABSN or direct entry MSN for non-nurses programs if you're ready for it, and consider the LPN route a plan B.

Also, consider how long it will take you to complete the prerequisites. I had a non-science degree, so it took me almost 1 year of my life just so I could finally apply. (Whereas, if I went the LPN route I would only need 2-3 classes worth of prerequisites.)

What prerequisites do you need? For instance, most ABSN programs here will require A&P 1 and 2, Microbiology, Statistics, Psychology, Chemistry, Nutrition, Speech, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology. Some also require Organic Chemistry, Anthropology, Medical Dosage Calculations, etc. I'm not sure how you would finish all that by Fall (and work full-time) unless you have done some of these already?

Many LPN programs are easy to get into as long as there's space. Someone could finish a 1 year LPN program in the same amount of time it takes to finish all prerequisites and actually begin a BSN, MSN or ABSN depending on the program.

Your decision might depend on what your specific program requires, how much support you have from family, how much time you have, and how much in a hurry you are in.

Find out all the specifics, calculate everything, and then decide. Good luck!

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I vote for "none of the above". Unless you can get a full scholarship, I would look into making your current degree work for you. Why? Several reasons. (I have worked in accounting and also have a nursing background.) First, how are you going to pay for nursing school? Have you read about the high rate of unemployment for new nurses? If you take out loans, how will you pay them back? Second, it's hard to be a new nurse and be a single mom. What if the only job you can find is night shift? And the nursing field is much less likely than business world to have weekends and holidays off - much better for a single parent. Third, after you finish your nursing degree you're still going to have to network and find connections and build a career. Which leads me to my final point - I bet with the birth of your child, you weren't able to network and find a job using your degree. Have you talked to career services at your undergrad university? Working as an accountant will pay more than a lot of nursing jobs. (I know many more accountants who make $100,000 a year than nurses who do.)

What you need to get your accounting career back on track would be much easier, quicker and cheaper than a nursing degree, unless you are so passionate about nursing that you would do anything to be a nurse. Networking, a few online accounting classes to prepare you for the CPA exam and talking to accountants would probably get your career on track. My worry is that you'd finish the RN or LPN classes and be in the same spot you are now.

Best of luck to you whatever you end up doing.

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I vote for "none of the above". Unless you can get a full scholarship, I would look into making your current degree work for you. Why? Several reasons. (I have worked in accounting and also have a nursing background.) First, how are you going to pay for nursing school? Have you read about the high rate of unemployment for new nurses? If you take out loans, how will you pay them back? Second, it's hard to be a new nurse and be a single mom. What if the only job you can find is night shift? And the nursing field is much less likely than business world to have weekends and holidays off - much better for a single parent. Third, after you finish your nursing degree you're still going to have to network and find connections and build a career. Which leads me to my final point - I bet with the birth of your child, you weren't able to network and find a job using your degree. Have you talked to career services at your undergrad university? Working as an accountant will pay more than a lot of nursing jobs. (I know many more accountants who make $100,000 a year than nurses who do.)

What you need to get your accounting career back on track would be much easier, quicker and cheaper than a nursing degree, unless you are so passionate about nursing that you would do anything to be a nurse. Networking, a few online accounting classes to prepare you for the CPA exam and talking to accountants would probably get your career on track. My worry is that you'd finish the RN or LPN classes and be in the same spot you are now.

Best of luck to you whatever you end up doing.

The above poster makes a good point.

While you are considering going into nursing, don't give up on finding a better higher paying accounting job. It may be possible for you to find accounting work, allowing you to transition to nursing with less financial burden in the future, if you still choose to do so.

Keep your options open. But don't let your age deter you.

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Since you already have your bachelors, why not go back and try to get your CPA instead? Probably less time consuming, and it'll open up more options for you in the future.

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A nurse who will also do your taxes? Now that's total patient care! :)

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I felt I have similar situation as you, I am a junior as accounting major, I have ever thinking to change nursing major, but I worried about it will take long time to finish and meanwhile I waste accounting credits. So I think I choose to finish my bachelors in accounting, if career is not what I expected, I think I will to try to take nursing program. Right now I am very struggling with my life because I am 24 years old..maybe 2 or 3 year later, I have to marry, then if I have family, time is not flexible. Someone have any suggestion for me? Thank you

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