Career Change: Non-Degree Adult in FL

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I need some advice. I joined this forum a few days ago because I am aspiring to go back to college and actually finish this time, with

a BSN. I have plans to start a non-profit in the years to come and apply my nursing skills within my own organization. When I graduated high school, I had no idea what I wanted andhonestly was a bit immature. I took some community college courses but that was back in 2002. Now that I'm 29 and married I realize that I can't continue

living life unfulfilled (I've been an Admin most of my career life making $13/hr); hubby and I want to be able to afford to start a family one day (he doesn't have a degree either) and to really be a good example to my children that education really is important and it's even more important to do what you're called to do, not just what "sounds good" or is convenient.

I am struggling to wrap my mind around applying for nursing programs and having

to basically start from scratch when it comes to pre-reqs and TEAS testing,

etc. It's been years since I've been in a classroom and I wasn't the greatest

student either --I wasn't a partier, just hung out with 'distractions', skipped

class, etc. Now that I have my priorities straight I feel like I have the

motivation but I'm stuck on support and resources that will point me in the

direction to succeed.

I live in Central FL. Should I get my LPN and then do a bridge to RN later? I

work full time to help make ends meet. Should I look into quitting my job and

going to school full time or are their places that offer evening /weekend nursing BSN courses including clinicals?

Herzing University is not the path I want to take because of their

accreditation issues so I'm looking at UCF or Keiser but I keep hearing how

difficult it is to get into those programs, especially with UCF (waiting

lists?). Overall I just need some guidance from those in similar situations or

who've been there and done that. I realize I'm still young especially the fact

that I don't have kids yet so I want to take advantage before it's too late or

too challenging.

Your help is appreciated! :D God bless.

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I'm not sure where you are located in central FL but I know that Brevard Community College offers a Spring program that is nights and weekends. Keiser is a good program especially with their NLN accreditation and usually (like in my case when I looked at them), they offered to start me in Aug 2013 (applied in Aug 2012) because I had all of my pre-reqs done. That isn't much of a wait especially if you need to take a bunch of courses. You can sit down with one of their advisors and get a better insight into what your path would look like given your specific circumstance.

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Thanks for your help :D I'm located in Orange County so Brevard is a tad too far for an evening commute. I just did more research on Keiser and I didn't realize that the BSN program is only for existing RNs. It looks like I will not be able to get my degree and work full time. Sigh...I'm not giving up though!

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Keiser offers a 2 yr RN program and then you can bridge into the RN-BSN. I don't know about working full time especially for all the programs that I have researched because they want you to be in class 4-5 days a week, plus clinicals.

I know that people are able to work full time and make it through a nursing program, I just say hats off to them because I don't know that I could do it! I hope you find your way and find a program that works for you!

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Specializes in OR.

I can't advise you on schools and the like, since I'm not in your area, but I do know about starting from scratch. I spent my adult life as a stay-at-home mom to two kids and I was more than happy to do so. In fact, it was exactly what I wanted. But now my kids are getting older, and when the recession hit, I decided it was time for me to contribute to the household in a different way.

For me, it wasn't just a few years outside of the classroom. It was a quarter century. The fall after my 25-year high school reunion, I was starting my pre-requisites. I was always a decent student, but as a teenager, I was, well, a teenager. There were other things infinitely more important to me than school. 25 years later I'm an entirely different student. It means more to me, and I work harder at it. I have more at stake. And it doesn't hurt that I can now look at my 17-year-old and say, "Look, I'm doing it. And I'm doing it with a 4.0. This should be cake for you."

Others on this forum will be better at school and career guidance. I'm just here to tell you not to let a few years away from the books hold you back. If you want it badly enough and you're willing to put for the necessary time and effort, you will be your only obstacle.

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Exactly! I want to be able to lead by example to my kids one day and say "I was out of school for x amount of years and went back to get my degree..you have no excuse!" LOL I refuse to be my own stumbling block. Thank you for the encouragement!!!

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

Just a thought, I know your goal is the BSN. However, why not try the ADN program first and get your RN. This way you could work as an RN and then get your BSN part time via the many RN-BSN programs out there.

Kudos to you for following your dreams and working toward the degree you want. Many of us are or were 'older' students. Priorities and life experience changes us and we become better students due to that. It's hard to 'get back in the saddle' again after so many years of being in a classroom, but I have faith that you will do well. Give yourself time.

Best wishes to you in your endeavor!

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Was feeling this way too. Except I'm 25 and wishing I continued finishing college 5 years ago. Gonna finish my sciences throughout next year and apply to the program. Don't leave sciences for last like I did. :S But in this case it benefitted me because sciences expire within 5 years where I'm at.

I know I'm feeling a bit rusty (as you are) because it's been 5 years since I sat in a classroom. Just keep positive and have a little faith in yourself.

I also suggest doing the ADN then from that do the RN-BSN. Which is what I'm planning on doing.

Because I have no working experience in a medical setting I'm going to figure out about what I can do (opportunities while I'm going to school) by the end of next year at my local hospital.

It's only a plan for now but for anyone it's up to you to manifest these goals. Know you can do them. :)

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