Changing Careers and Back to School - HELP

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hey everyone, would love some advice... I am a 35 year old who is going back to school. I had some nocollege before entering the Navy as an Air Traffic Controller and during the navy until recently have been doing Information Technology, worked for citrix, microsoft then for myself for 7 years - navy kinda got ime on the path to computers and I am good at it but its not my passion - i love to become a nurse not a quick decision been pondering for the last couple of years so research the profession to death. What was accepted right back into school.. my school only has BSN - I want to ASN to RN to get into the field as I worked on my BSN.. my issue the school let me in but school of nursing says there average person is 3.0 with ACT of 26.. I think mine was a 21 in the day so I guess I will have to retake the ACT but god I have been out of high school for 17 years... any suggestions on paths to take and anyone else been thur it etc... all the help and resources you can provide would be greatly appreciated... thanks clint

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Howdy, i just turned 35 and in my first yr (now 2nd semester) of my ADN program!! I finished high school around the same time as you, and went straight into the Canadian Armed Forces. Did the navy thing for many yrs, then over to the Air Force flying on the P3C's. All my training was working the various electronics gear, (radar, flir, etc etc) So going back to school was a huge eye opening for me,plus I moved to the USA to be with my wife!! Im not a school person at all, rather be working, thus 1 reason why the ADN route suites me. One I get working, slowly progress onto my BSN. I dont have any huge advice, but get cracking on studying,lol Are their books that one can purchase to prepare for the ACT (Im assuming its a entrance exam??) Best of luck

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thanks.. that helps knowing I am not the only one.. yes I rather do the ASN so I can start working asap in the field as I get my BSN... the school who wants the ACT is due to its only a BSN... so I have to take all the undergrad prereq's before starting nursing classes... yes I have been studying medical, nursing and other subject preparing but the ACT is different as it goes back to basic math and english which can be difficult to remember things when your out of high school this long lol.... there are book to study but they kinda expect to know the details of high school not written for the adult... I am in nashville, tn here is my email address clint @ computerteks dot net... I actually spent some time in canada with the canadian navy halifax on a exchange trip with the navy during a mutual exercise - halifax... sure we have alot in common... thanks for the advise and support.. clint

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I was a west coaster during my Navy time (Victoria BC) but many of my courses were held in Halifax. Great party city,lol My Air Force time was in Greenwood NS, about 1.3 hrs west of Halifax, small town of like 5000 people, 4999 in the CDn military,lol

For my ADN course one writes an entrance exam, called the TEAS. Contains basic math/algebra, science, Reading, as well there are a few other pre req courses. Im sure you can find a book for that exam, I know for the TEAS there was one

This help: http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/index.html

http://www.actstudent.org/faq/index.html Here one can ask a question, like how to prepare for the ACT exam,and it lists some choices. (just play with the pull down boxes)

As well use google to find ACT information. Hope this helps. Im off to bed, cheers Scott

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There are several things you can try depending on where you are located. First, I would suggest scouring the community colleges in your area for ADN programs. I know of eight nursing schools within ninety miles of where I live, so it is likely that you can find something that will suit you better. Also, the thing that I found to be difficult when choosing my school was that while I could get into major universities, the nursing programs there tend to have a longer waiting list for applicants. That's my main reason for choosing a two year college to attend. I would have liked to attend The University :) but when it came down to my age and what I wished to gain from school, the decision to wait on a two + year waiting list just wasn't in the cards. As I, like you, had been out of school for a long time before deciding to go back, it made for some apprehension on my part as to my ability to remember what I needed to that far down the road. It turned out it took a little getting used to, but after I got rolling school was a breeze. Your age will serve as a much better ally to you in regard to education than you think it will if you are anything like me. The difference is drive and the ability to understand the difference between your old self and your current self. The thought you knew everything kid and want to know everything man. Again, that's how it was for me.

However, I would suggest that if you have not already done so to go have a long sit down with the advisor for the nursing program and explain your concerns. I have found that communicating with them as an adult results in "tricks" or "advantages" which you may not be aware. Remember, it's what they do for a living and having someone that actually wants their advice, rather than staring at the wall and tuning them out, will net you much more information and possibilities than you think.

Good luck, and take the ACT again. Just find a tutor or study guide to review before you go. You should have no trouble increasing your score the amount necessary for the requirement. The logic of an adult is a great asset when taking those exams.

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