Considering Leaving my short-lived nursing career-Computer Science?

[ProgressiveThinking, MSN, CRNA]

Hello all,

I guess this is a long post of me ranting more than anything else, but I really would appreciate some advice. I am an LPN. I pretty much did my LPN to become an RN. After waiting a year to get into the LPN-RN program, I am stuck waiting another quarter because my school apparently 'does not have funding' to accept any students this quarter. We were once told our acceptance into the RN program was basically guaranteed, and would be faster if we did the LPN. BUT...acceptance for Winter of 2011 is not guaranteed anymore because they will only have about one spot for every 2 applicants (since acceptance was backed up a quarter). I have 3 measly quarters left to finish my RN. The bad thing is, I cannot find a job as an LPN. I finally landed a paid internship through a friend, which I hope will lead to future employment, but who knows? I've already tested into this program, and even tested out of a class. I would have to take different pre-requisites for most surrounding schools.

I'm 24 already. I have to support myself. My girlfriend is pregnant. I never pictured myself as a 24 year-old trying to finish up an associate's degree. The majority of my friends are finished or finishing up their bachelor's degrees, and some are even in grad school already. It doesn't feel good saying "I'm at the local community college," when I see people that I went to high school with. Hard pill to swallow as an ambitious male. AND..who even knows if there will be jobs for ASN new grads by the time I'm a new-grad RN. I guess part of life is learning to live with your decisions..and reacting to your circumstances accordingly.

Here's my plan: I think I'm going to apply for this RN program ONE more time.. for the time being. I'm tired of letting a program full of females on a power-trip (who are also more into nursing school politics than they are education) control the outcome of my life. I WILL finish my RN, but for now I feel like I need to stay proactive. SO.. I'm also going to apply for transfer at one of our local universities. I'm thinking my new major will be Computer Science/engineering. I think an IT job would probably fit my personality a little better anyways(I'm naturally more intuitive and aggressive than I am compassionate). I'm ALSO thinking..an RN degree with a computer science degree could possibly be pretty marketable in a hospital sometime down the line?

I dunno..I feel like an underachiever who is not contributing my fair share to society. I just want to start my life already, and I definitely feel a little better after writing this..

If you actually read this far thank you! Any advice is appreciated..

[Fiona59]

I've read it.

I'm Canadian and we don't have the LPN-ADN route that you do. I've always wondered how nursing schools can accept so many bridging students without problems. Now I know they can't.

Good luck is all I can say.

[ms_sgr, BSN, NP]

My advice would be for you to apply to more than one nursing program, and if your heart is leading you to computer science then go for it. I worked in IT for 8 year, but nursing was always calling me. I have just been accepted into a BSn program. Don't feel bad because everyone else is out of school, just stay focused on the path that you are on, besides you never know they might just go back to school for another degree.