Changing career to nursing

Corvette Guy · Sep 29, 2005

I am in the accounting field and make close to $40k per year, but I don't enjoy my work and I want to return to school for nursing which I wanted to do 15 years ago, but had to leave because I couldn't go for a day nursing program as I had to keep my day job which paid a good salary to support my child--I was newly divorced. I chose accounting only because it also pays well and I could earn my entire degree in the evening and on weekends. I am still a single mom and need my salary to make ends meet. I will be taking my prereqs for nursing over the next 2 years. I am unable to find a nursing program where I can take the entire nursing curriculum (after prereqs) in the evening or weekend. Why is it that there are no nursing programs for workers who can only attend class in the evening? My only other option is to quit my accounting job (and the high salary) and work for 2 years evenings and weekends at 1/2 the salary as a CNA.
Any suggestions as to how others handle this situation? Are there any plans to accomodate middle age, career change workers and have nursing programs held during non-traditional hours?

I know the ADN program near me [Austin Community College] now has an online option where alot of the lectures are taken via home PC, rather than traditional classroom setting. Plus, the RN-BSN program I took [uTMB Galveston School of Nursing] was online. We still had to attend on-campus lectures about 2-3xs per semester. Nonetheless, I was able to work full-time as an RN [ADN] during the program.

Anyway, just some ideas. BTW, the healthcare field [Certified Surg Tech 1995-1998 & RN 1998-Present] is my second career. My first career was aviation; USMC Aircraft Electrician & Com/Nav Tech 1980-1988 & E-Systems 1989-1993

Good luck!

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Sep 29, 2005

welcome to the wonderful family of allnurses.com. enjoy your stay, and best of luck to you. :)

sddlnscp · Sep 29, 2005

For pre-nursing classes, you can find them online. If you can't find anything local, check out CCConline. I am taking my pre-reqs through them and they are 100% online. Several other students have used them as well. As far as the actual nursing classes, try broadening your scope of schools you are searching. There are schools in this area that offer the classes 2 nights a week (6 - 10p.m.) and weekends, they are few and far-between now, but they are becoming more popular. The degree takes 3 years rather than 2, but it is great for us working moms. :) Good luck! Keep searching - you will find what you are looking for.

Wondergirl0905 · Oct 3, 2005

I am also looking at starting a new career in nursing. I got my BS in Criminal Justice in '99 and have worked in different areas since then. Currently I am working full-time at a rape/dv crisis center and part-time as a dispatcher. I'm not exactly sure if I'll be able to get into a program for fall '06. I have major anxiety about the pre-entrance NLN exam since I haven't studied chemistry in about 12 years. I'm not sure if there is a waiting list at the programs here in NH - I think it depends on how well one does on the exam. I'm hoping my previous college record will help out since I had a high GPA but who knows. I may go for a LPN program to start and then go from there onto the RN (associates). It's hard for me to justify going for a bachelor RN when I already have a 4-year degree.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2005

Welcome to Allnurses.com!

I wish there were more evening nursing schools. More than likely, most are daytime because of a lack of instructors.

Most make it hard to even keep a job, but there are some that manage.

Good luck to you! :)