CLT Nursing Options

[New2nursingCLT]

Hello All,

I am looking to switch careers and go back to school for nursing. I already have a BS and I would prefer to not have to go back to school for another full 4 years. I saw Queens offered an accelerated RN program, but I didn't find many other programs in Charlotte. Queens seems costly though compared to the community colleges that offer LPN degrees.

I might be asking for two much, but since I am starting this new career path later and would like to think about starting a family. Do you always need to put in the crazy long overnight hours?

Appreciate the help!

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Always? No. A lot? Yes. I would not recommend anyone become pregnant during nursing school if they have a choice about it, particularly in an accelerated program. That being said, others have done it successfully, but I don't think any of them would tell you it was easy or fun. Here's the thing about nursing school - in order to sit for the licensing exam you are required to have a specific number of clinical and classroom hours. What this translates to is a very, VERY rigid attendance policy. Pregnant? Sick? Sick family members/kids? Car broke down? Inclement weather? Doobie Brothers concert? Doesn't matter. The school doesn't make the rules, the licensing agency does. Accelerated nursing programs are super intense. There is a lot of learning packed into a very shortened time frame. It is, if anything, more intense than traditional nursing school, not less.

I wish you all the best as you make up your mind. Be sure you do your research on availability of jobs for new grads in your area as well as think hard about how specific you are going to be about what specialty you want to work in. Jobs for new grad RNs are difficult to come by all across the US at this point with a few rare exceptions in under-served areas.