BS in business looking to transition over to nursing. Need advice!

[crutcc2]

So, I currently have a BS in Business and I am wanting to go back to nursing school. I was originally a pre-nursing major at Auburn University in Alabama and was unsure I could hack it since I was deathly afraid of needles (I know, silly). I didn't know what else to major in at the time and business seemed to be a "marketable" and useful major, but it was so boring to me then. I have been in the working world and have a successful career in medical/surgical sales for the past 6 years and I am kicking myself for not continuing the nursing track in college because I love the knowledge you gain and I love helping people. The only thing is that my GPA is not so great... (hindsight is 20/20)

I have been looking into the accelerated BSN programs and the entry level masters programs in Sacramento (where I currently reside) and the bay area. Of course, I have pre-requisites that I need to complete at a community college (preferably in Sacramento for now while I'm still working) before applying. Has anyone been in the same/similar boat before? Or any suggestions on programs? I have only recently started really digging into the information.

I am also undecided whether I would want to do an accelerated program and get my RN and work for a while before doing my masters or doing it all at once through the entry level masters. Is the "real world" work experience between an RN and masters seen as more valuable? or does it not matter that much and would it be more worthwhile to work straight through to my masters? I know on the business end of things they like to see someone with a BS get the real world experience then go back to grad school to further their studies and career.

Any insight is appreciated!

[LeahFull]

You sound like me!! I got a BS in aquatic Bio in 1996 and should have gone to nursing school back then when you could still get in on the first try. I had to retake my science prerequ's since it had been over 5 years, and since I already have a degree, getting classes at local community colleges was almost impossible. I emailed professors of the classes I wanted to take to see if I could get on a waiting list before registration even began, explaining to them my situation. I even hunted them down at office hours so that they would know that I was serious about taking their classes. The excellerated MSN and BS programs are just at tough to get into as the ADN programs, although how they choose their canidates is more merit based than lottery (like at community colleges). My undergrad GPA is not great either and I keep hoping that my science GPA will show that I am not the same student now that I was as a 20 year old. So far I have not been accepted anywhere, am wait-listed at one school and am waiting on lottery results from 2 others. Good luck getting classes, and starting your journey!

[MeganS]

I am similar to you. I have 3 AA degrees and one bachelors. I was in another profession when I decided to make a career change. I considered the ADN, BSN, and the masters in nursing. I looked at each one very closely and compared costs, etc.

I am an LVN and also looked at bridge courses. The CA board of nursing has a list of acceptable schools in CA. You may want to start your research there. Compare the prerequisites, costs, with the length of program.. I wish I could go into the masters in nursing program, but with my responsibilities at home, that will not work.

I decided on the distant learning program through Indiana State Univ..but that program is for LVN to BSN. There are accelerated BSN courses out there if you want to go that route.

Of interest, some colleges/universities have a 5 year rule on the science/lab courses and some do not. The problem with the 5 year rule is it will take you 1.5 - 2 years to get your sciences and prerequisites done. If you now apply and sit on a waiting list, you are very close to the 5 year mark if you are accepted within 2 years.

[Walden-Puddle, RN]

Lots of room in the nursing field for people with a business background. In my program, there are quite a few people that were business majors in a previous life and are moving into nursing. I find that our perspective in these areas is welcomed and encouraged in classes and clinicals. It helps broaden the discussions beyond just science/health. And there is a real need for GOOD Nursing MANAGERS and ultimately Nurse LEADERS if you are eventually so inclined

Check out the Samuel Merritt Entry Level Masters program. (ELMSN) you get your RN half way through and can start working as a nurse immediately (if jobs available anyways) while you finish the final part towards your masters. They may even have a sac campus like they do for some of their other programs. Expensive...but positive "NPV" I think.

Best of luck.

BTW...I traded an M.I.M (Master of International Management) for nursing...and am loving every minute of it....