Career change to nursing

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Hey guys!! I am looking to make a career change from banking into nursing, and I'm very nervous if I'm making the right decision. I've always had a passion in the healthcare industry ever since I attended a pre-med program ages ago, but didn't make the move because I was complacent with my current job. Now at the age of 34, now I wonder if it's late for me to do this with a wife and 2 kids. I'm looking into taking the pre-req courses from a local community college, then transfer to a UC/CSU or a private college like mount saint Mary's or Azusa Pacific. I wanted to see what you guys recommend based on experience to cost savings and best way to get my BSN. How long does it take to finish the pre-reqs considering I havent taken ANY. Any information helps!!

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34 is not too old. Prereqs - 1 to 2 years, depending on how many you can take at a time. Take those at CC. However, CCs in Calif are badly impacted, so you should also look at Extension programs like UCLA Extension. All state colleges and UCs have these Extension programs.

I'm assuming you have a BA. Get an Accelerated BSN (13 to 16 months) or do a direct entry Master's. Good luck.

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Thank for your response. unfortunately, I don't have a college degree. I am looking into taking classes at a CC and I will definitely look into ucla extension for classes I may not be able to get. If I'm looking to transfer into the University of California, Los Angeles School of Nursing for my bsn program, would I have a better odds if I was to take a few classes there ? Reading a lot of everyone post about nursing and given me this drive and motivation to move forward with nursing. Also, is the NCLEX a difficult of an exam ? I'm not the best test taker.

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I have a good friend who teaches in a nursing program. Yes, the NCLEX is difficult. The nursing info is taught to you in school however she tells me the NCLEX is very much a critical thinking exam. For example, all of the answers for a particular question can be correct. You have to choose which one is the BEST correct answer. She continually tells me that you must learn to think critically in nursing school. It may be tough but certainly my not impossible!

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UCLA is very competitive. Strive for a 4.0 GPA and good volunteer or CNA experience to make yourself a more desirable candidate. Taking some UCLA extension classes might help if you get an A. There are a lot of good nursing schools in LA area.

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I spent a year (including summers) in pre-req's and 2 years in nursing school to get my associate's in nursing. Then I went on to get my BSN through online program at UT Arlington. I took a few basics that they required online through them, as well. For me, online was a better format of learning because I know how to follow instructions well and don't need too much guidance other than instructions for assignments. If I was in your current situation, I would take ALL of my basics through an online school (one that is credible such as UT Arlington). Then you can continue to work full time. Apply for an associate's degree program at a community college near you. Then once you graduate, do an RN-BSN accelerated online program. Many of these programs are designed for working nurses and are easily manageable while working full-time. Good luck to you!

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Apply directly to a BSN school, you do your pre-reqs while attending and it takes the same amount of time to an associates degree as a bachelors if you figure in the pre-reqs. But a BSN school will be quite a bit more expensive than a Associates school.

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