Help! Finding the right program

[TheJoeWant]

Sorry in advance for the length of this post. I have been a long time reader of this forum as I prepare to make a career move. I have gathered a tremendous amount of information from everyone here however, nothing that I feel directly fits my situation.

So here it goes...

I am currently employed full-time in an arts” related field in CA. In addition to working 60hr work weeks, having a two year old and a Wife (who works as a nurse) I went back to school last year, taking a night class to get my EMT (also to see if my old, beer clogged brain can still learn and retain info) Now I'm about to take on a weekend shift for a local ambulance company. I am ready to pull the trigger on nursing school. Something I originally planned on doing with my life 10 years ago.

My question is; how!? I have around 60 college credits however none are the science core for nursing. Night class is out of the question (I don't usually get out of work till 8pm) and being in CA, the nursing programs are so impacted you can hardly register in time for an A&P class at CC let alone get into a nursing program.

I am currently looking out of state. My wife is very supportive and willing to move for a few years so I can accomplish this goal. My biggest hurdle is the design of admissions into nursing programs now. With so much ridding on it, taking my pre reqs willy nilly and eventually applying to various nursing schools is not a strong option for me. It used to be, apply to a university, work hard for a long 4 years (or 2) and BOOM done. Are programs like this still out there? Something like a direct entry BSN with you pre reqs incorporated into the curriculum. I have explored private options like West Coast University and although I have friends who had great success there, $120k is very hard to justify.

I should also mention I am open to ADN and BSN programs (I know the ADN Vs BSN subject has been beaten to a pulp on here)

Any responses would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!

[quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN]

My first thought was to find a school where you do your ADN, you may need a semester or so of prereqs. Then do your BSN online. Many schools have an online option for BSN and some community colleges even work with colleges and universities for this. This would put you in school full time roughly two years. Then you can move back to where you are and work on the BSN.

[jcnyc]

Hi Joe -- not sure if this helps but I myself am in the midst of a career change into nursing and while my situation is certainly different what I would say is that there are definitely programs online that could be an option for you. In terms of specific programs.. I'm out east and I know NYU (one of the most expensive programs in the country) offers the students who have been accepted in the nursing program a chance to finish the pre-requisites as an NYU undergrad prior to beginning (the semester before). Not sure if this helps but if you really want to do this, nothing is going to stop you! Good luck.