Biology degree to BSN

[biotaq]

Hello,

I'm looking for some advice about my current situation. To give some context, I have a BS in Biology from an engineering school. I had the intentions of going to Grad school and working in a lab since it's something I thought I would love doing. Fast forward and I drop out of Grad school a semester in as I just wasn't happy or motivated to do lab work. Naturally, I was in a crisis and asked friends, family, and counselors about what I should do instead. Literally, all of them said nursing. Even an aptitude test my career center pointed to some form of nursing.

At the time I was hesitant about it despite all signs pointing to nursing. I was burnt out from school and wanted to do something I enjoyed. A friend got an internship in AR and I got a job as a lab tech and as a gymnastics coach. It was enjoyable but poor decisions made my the clinic I worked for caused it to get shut down and I'm currently working close to full time at the gym.

While I love the gym and enjoy coaching my kids, it's not a sustainable career. Recently Nursing has been looking like an enjoyable idea. In the final days of the clinic I worked at, I was need to help care for patients. It was the most enjoyable few weeks at the clinic I had. Coupled that with taking care of kids I thought I would be well suited for pediatrics.

With all that said I am a little worried about going back to school. My grades weren't the best with a GPA of 2.9. I spent most of my time in college working in a research lab working almost part time in there. I also need to retake anatomy since I decided against taking the labs (again, didn't see myself in the medical field). I've been accepted to a school well known for its nursing program as an undergrad in biology to make up the missing courses. I'm hoping the small GPA boost will help (anatomy was one of my better classes) and being situated in the school before the nursing program would help my chances of getting into the program. Basically my fear is not getting into the program and forever living a life of barely surviving.

My other fear is if I am accepted into the program I'll need to quit my job. I wanted to know that if I go to school will I still have time to coach and teach? Currently, my life revolves around working, my own personal training in gymnastics, and being at home playing games. I'd be willing to drop my gaming hobby and personal training to keep my job and do well in school.

To summarize my rambling, do I have a chance of getting into a nursing program? How long will it take considering I have a BS in biology? Will I still have time to keep working with my students?

I appreciate any advice and I'm sorry if this is all just me rambling, I find it cathartic.

[N. Maren]

Hi there! I was more or less in your same exact situation! I attained a bio degree, had to stop graduate school midway, then switched to nursing. Let me give you some advice real quick though: The bio degree doesn't help with nursing classes as much as you think it will. In fact, my advisor (who was also a bio major before becoming a nurse) said in some cases it makes things more difficult! As a scientist, we are worried about the in depth biochemistry, genetics, pathophysiology, etc. Nurses think in a very different way -- they are prioritizing interventions for the problems at hand. For this reason, you'll hear many refer to nursing as an art!

I just wanted to let you know that as a fellow biology major. But also, I wanted to let you know this to show that nursing schools recognize that biology is a different degree. Your GPA is a tad low, but not terrible, and I'm sure you can push it over the 3.0 mark. In general, nursing schools also consider your overall GPA and nursing prerequisite GPA separately. So do your best to shine in the prereqs! Also, I know you are at a good school, but definitely have backup plans on hand. I was in one such school and my own school's nursing program didn't take me but another nursing school did... sometimes they just look for different things.

In terms of working... well, I was in an accelerated BSN program and I know people who worked and maintained families the entire program. But also keep in mind that nursing is considered one of the most difficult bachelors degrees and that it may require a great deal of time studying as well. It really just depends on how well you are able to absorb and apply the material. Basically, having a job is doable, but try to at least keep the idea open that you may need to work fewer shifts or take a break when the going gets tough (e.g., finals week!)

All the best. I empathize with you, truly, and I hope that you will also find happiness in this new field. You seem like someone who enjoys interacting with people and I believe that you will find this field similarly rewarding!

[biotaq]

I'm willing to accept reduced hours. It's a necessary sacrifice, I just don't want to be out of the coaching loop for too long.

I always considered myself as someone who can learn quickly and working with kids has given me some experience with picking up somebodies emotional state. Most of the time it's an over reaction on my part but it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to kids.

I appreciate the sympathy! I'm glad there is someone who understands the shift from science to medicine and can give some friendly advice!

[Calalilynurse]

A few of the older 20s with families crowd had a biology degree when I was in nursing school. Most important thing do well in prerequisites. Being already accepted usually does help my nursing school favored its own students and graduates but you still had a shot. Good luck.