Career Change.. advice needed!

[StephV84]

Hey ya'll, newbie here! I am hoping to gain some much needed knowledge and input on pre-req's and nursing school.

Alittle history on me, I'm currently in law enforcement for about 9 years now. I am also a military spouse. Unfortunately my career isn't easily transferable state to state and always need to start from scratch each move we make. Not only it annoying, to have to go back through basic training when you already know the material but, my time never follows me. As much as I love it, have put a lot of time and effort into it, I've done a lot of soul searching and realize it's just not doable anymore.

Back before I entered the police academy (the first time) I was working on L&D as a unit secretary. At that time, I put a lot of thought into nursing school but, went with want I had always dreamed of; being a police officer. Seems 10 years later, I am right back at the same cross roads.

So, now that you know where I'm at... HELP! lol. I will have to start from scratch, all my pre-req before thinking about applying for nursing school. Since we have an upcoming move, I thought it would be in my best interest to utilize the online college world to get through my pre-req's. I have applied with the American Military Univ. and will be doing "a la carte" courses to get through all the pre-req's (Eng, Math, Bio, Chem.) I haven't engaged in formal learning in a looonng time. My plan was to start off with one class, get into the groove of it and than take on a more full-time work load. I luckily have a 10-month period that I will be able to use for schooling without work.

In my mind that all seems perfect but, I wanted to ask people who would know first hand.. what do you think? positives? negatives? I'm super eager to start but, I want to do this the right way. I've heard pre-req's can (usually do) take about 2 years to complete. I'm hoping to get a big chuck of them out of the way in the 10-months and when we move again to a more permanent location complete the remaining pre-req's and apply for nursing school.

Any and all information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Sounds like you have a solid plan in place. I would advise holding off on the hard sciences (A&P and Micro, Chem and Biochem if needed) until you've gotten your feet wet. I feel (my opinion only) that these types of courses are best completed in a classroom. Perhaps when you are settled, the local community college would be your next step.

[StephV84]

Yes, I definitely agree. Math has always been a subject that I need to truly focus on and apply myself because it doesn't come naturally for me like English does. I want to give school my all, get the best grades I can from the get go.