Best educational path for older student?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi- I'm 41 and working through my pre-requisites at community college. Very much enjoying studying sciences and finally pursuing the goal of nursing in a real way after years in a very different career. I have been surprised by the intensity of the pressure to make all As, but doing well so far (while also working part-time, caring for 2 young kids with special needs).

Been going to open houses for several accelerated 2nd-degree BSN programs (I already have a bachelors in a communications/creative field, not science). I'm in NYC if this matters, though these things probably hold true in many parts of the country? All of the affordable (city/state college) programs are competitive as hell and require more pre-requisites. Private accelerated BSN programs seem cozy and inviting by comparison, but of course super-expensive.

Another option is to apply for candidacy in the ASN program at my current community college. The hope would be to get the RN, and pursue the BSN education later while working as a nurse in some capacity (I believe New York is making the BSN mandatory in the near future, too). My fear after talking to many real-life nurses in NYC is that no one wants to hire a nurse with an associates -- especially a new nurse without experience (and I'm sure, being in my 40s will NOT help here). I can see this option working better for someone much younger -- but maybe I'm wrong? It seems like the smartest path financially, but the accelerated BSN programs sure look good too (and at 41, I don't have time to mess around).

Would love any insight as I try to map out some kind of plan. It's been hard getting info that is especially relevant to my situation -- older age, wanting to be employable, not go into massive debt at private school. Thanks!

Specializes in RN.

Wow! You sound like a really awesome person. Congrats. This is a really smart idea. I'm always asking the EMTs in my A&P class about their jobs, so maybe there is something about that area that appeals to me as well. It does make me feel a lot "younger" to get to discover new things about myself/achieve new stuff :)

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I'm not too far off what you're doing (40 when I start my ADN in August). I have a BS already, 2 kids, but no job and neither of my kids are special needs - just young. I decided that the summers with my kids NOW (before I have a job) were more important than being able to work 6 months earlier.

If you do an ADN/ASN make sure the hosptials around you are HIRING them!

My plan is to do the ADN then have my employer pay for the RN>BSN program. It may take longer, but ultimately I'll end up in the same place AND I'll still be able to work as an RN in the mean time (makeing the same amount of money in my market).

BSN may be mandatory in the future, but in many places it's NOT. If they want it, they will help you pay for it and give you a few years to get it. But again, that depends on the local environment.

ETA -- 41 is not 'near the end of your employability' ;) You have many MANY more good years of working - even if you injure yourself and can't work bedside.

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So glad there's so much activity on this board! I have not yet met many people in my classes who are in my situation (most are still much younger, and/or pursuing fields like PT), or any mentors/advisors I can really talk to about this yet. Working on it, going to info sessions. I found the Hunter one super discouraging (don't even bother applying here unless you have a 4.0 and can walk on water). Lehman seems more promising, but haven't been able to find an info session yet. Going to a SUNY Downstate session soon too.

Another big factor is also the *transition* from my current career/life -- doing school part-time/work on and off as a freelancer, which means we're broke and I'm not getting very far in school yet (kinda have one toe dipped in both ponds). Considering a loan so I can power through pre-requisites full-time, but not sure I can make good grades taking, say, chemistry and microbiology at the same time. All these public programs seem to mean As only in these classes. It's very confusing figuring this out as a grown-up with kids, etc.

I'm a dad like you. One small child at home, that I care for full time. And this semester I took a&p 2 with lab, chem with lab, micro with lab and human development. I have a 4.0.

I'm not saying this to brag but to assure you that yes, you can do this. Work hard. Stick to a study schedule. Power through it.

But it can be done, with A's and you can get into the school you want.

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When faced with the choice between an ASN and BSN program, choose the BSN program. If you are accepted at an ASN program, but no BSN programs, then go to that program, unless someone puts in writing the intention to give you a clear seat in the very next BSN program term. A BSN out of the gate not only cuts down time, effort, and usually cost, it puts you at an employment advantage out of the gate. Why wouldn't you want that for yourself at this point?

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Specializes in RN.

Thanks so much for the feedback. I finally had a chance to speak with a nursing advisor at my community college, and was surprised to find myself pretty sold on the associate's degree track (also after talking to some nursing students I met waiting outside her office). I only need a couple more classes to apply for ASN candidacy, and the idea of being closer to real-life nursing experience (and not taking out a big loan) is very appealing.

Interestingly, the nursing advisor thought my existing bachelors (totally unrelated to nursing/science) can still actually give me a little 'edge' when looking for nursing jobs with the ASN -- though she also mentioned enrolling in an online BSN program at that time to show I am on it.

Anyway, we'll see... but I really enjoy hearing different perspectives on this.

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I am 52 and graduated last year with an ADN at community college with ~10k in student loans. I had no trouble getting hired since life experience does count. Granted, my area has/had a shortage of nurses. I am now getting my BSN online while I work and am not incurring more debt. This has worked out very well for me but I am not sure what the nursing situation is in NY.

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Specializes in NICU.

I did an ABSN program and graduated at 48. For me, the decision was easy. Since my first degree was from the same school, I didn't pay the application fee and they took all of my credits (some were nearly 30 yrs old). It would have taken 2-3 yrs longer to get an ASN from the community college due to the fact that they had a 5 yr limit on credits. I got my BSN for about $22k (tuition and books).

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Specializes in RN.

I think another big factor for me is there aren't many public ABSN/BSN programs in general where I live, so the competition is outrageous. I just could not imagine toiling away trying and stressing like crazy to make As in classes like microbiology and organic chemistry (probably only able to take one per semester) before I can even *apply* to a nursing program. I'm hoping ASN gives me a chance to get clinical experience first so I can even have a better idea what the real nursing work might be like.

Since classes like English transferred from my 20-yr old bachelors to my community college (though it's different everywhere), I've only had to take A&P 1 and 2. Next, chemistry basically/math for meds is all I have left before applying for candidacy.

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Does the college where you are applying for the ASN have dual enrollment with the local university? That way you would do the 2 year and the transfer and get your BSN right away.

I'm not in the exact same situation as you but I am pursuing a second degree in nursing just like you are. I chose ABSN because I wanted to be able to apply anywhere for a job since my husband is military. But if I were to stay local I would have done the ASN for cheaper at the local college and done dual enrollment than doing the ABSN which is going to cost me much more.

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Specializes in Psychiatric nursing.

I am in almost the exact situation: 40s, two kids, but also newly single. The part time and freelance gigs I'd been doing while married aren't going to take me into my retirement. SO, nursing school it is! I'm also in New York, but (way) upstate.

My original plan had been to do an ABSN; there are programs--one private, one public--an hour from here. The affordable public one requires a year of chemistry in addition to all the prereqs I finished last summer, so I'd have to wait a year, and not work while I was in school. I decided to go ahead and do the ADN at the local CC instead. (Was accepted for this fall, yay!) The commute is easier, the pace is more manageable, and their graduates have a high NCLEX pass rate and a 100% job placement rate. I can work my old job just enough to keep my health insurance while in school. Planning to do the BSN while working as an RN--though there are tons of jobs for ADNs in the area.

Honestly, I think there are many excellent paths! And as people have said above: avoiding debt is probably the most important thing.

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Also in Upstate NY and there are a lot of programs here of all kinds AND, a lot of jobs! Everyone I know graduating from my ASN, Community College program are going straight into whatever field they are interested in: Peds, Neuro, ED, NICU, Oncology,Ortho, all within the last year. A few of the professors also teach and/or do clinicals for a a private college that offers approx a 16 month, Bachelors in anything, to BSN for around 60k, and they all say we are getting a much better education. Almost all of the jobs pay for continuing education too, so a chance to use credits from our other degrees and just get the BSN online quickly and cheaply.

I am in my late 40's, lost a husband to epilepsy in 2009 and then my only child who was doing NS pre-reqs (4.0 student) at 19 yrs old from a heroin OD right after she started using. So I did this thing I had always wanted to do; I decided to go to nursing school and started on the pre-req path, because frankly I had no idea what I was going to do with the rest of my life! I should be graduating the Dec.

I went in 90% sure I wanted to do psych and then my 8 week clinical only confirmed that I loved it, and there are definitely jobs in that field here, and many places from what I hear.

Good luck, have you committed yet?

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Specializes in Psychiatric nursing.

I went in 90% sure I wanted to do psych and then my 8 week clinical only confirmed that I loved it, and there are definitely jobs in that field here, and many places from what I hear.

Good luck, have you committed yet?

I am also interested in Psych! I am so glad to hear you love it. I have heard from a few people going through clinicals that it's the hardest, or "least fun," one because no one is ever "cured," but I don't think that will make a difference to me. I think as a full-grown, been-around-the-block person, I have a better sense than I used to about what I want and who I want to work with. (I don't know if you were talking to me about whether I've committed, but I have, just made my schedule. I took most of the prereqs for an ABSN program, and it turns out that most of them (A&P, Psych, Microbio) are part of the ADN curriculum that I now can skip--if they accept those classes. Fingers crossed that I don't have to retake...)

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