How to go to nursing school??

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Hey there everyone!

My husband is a 2003 grad of University of Maryland with a BA in Biological Anthropology. Since graduating he and I have owned our own diversified farm in Vermont. This spring we are selling the farm and trying to decide our next move in life. While in school dh had thought about nursing and pre-med. We have the opportunity to invest some of the proceeds of the sale of our farm to send him back to school and we think nursing would be the best bet for him. His parents live in the Tampa area so we are looking at schools in that area but we are very confused about the best way to approach the whole schooling thing...

His education was heavy on bio/chem but it looks like he will still need several prereqs including anatomy, pych, statistics...he has a 3.2 GPA overall. We have 2 small children and I stay at home with them so dh would be going to school full time and we'd be living off the farm proceeds until he is able to start working. Would he be better off getting an LPN, starting work then going to school while working to get his ASN then his BSN? Or if he's going to go to the trouble of getting an LPN should he just stick in there for the ASN? Do schools offer fast track programs for students who have a previous BA?

We have worked our rears off for the last 7 years with no days off (literally, no days off) so he's not afraid to take on giant course loads and get this thing done as quickly as possible. What is the best plan? Thank you so much!

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Since he already has a BA he could go into an accelerated BSN program and get his RN that way. He would more than likely still have to do those pre-req's before hand though.

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I would recommend looking at the Accelerated BSN programs (also called Second Degree BSN programs). These are accelerated programs (generally 12-18 months) for those with Bachelor's degrees in non-nursing areas. There are a number of these programs across the country (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/IDS/pdf/BSNNCG.pdf).

These would prepare him to become a RN faster than going to a community college. While there are none of these programs in Vermont, there are 225 of these programs in the US.

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thank you so much for your response! Can you estimate about how long that would take? And how do I find such a program, would I just google "accelerated BSN"? Thanks again!

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oops i posted before reading the 2nd response, thanks i will check out that link! THANKS:)

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You do not say where in Vt you are, but maybe you should talk to the UVM in regards to their bachelors program, for a BSN. At least you might be able to determine which courses would convey from his previous degree. I realize each school may be different, but it may give you some base line as to what is needed.

Good Luck

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I hope you found some good leads on the link posted! I was thinking the same thing as the PP. Good Luck!

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thanks guys! we are a little over an hour from UVM so can look into that too. thanks again:)

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

UVA and others gave good advice in regards for your husband to go into an ABSN program.

I'm in my 2 out of 4 semesters of my ABSN program, and it's tough, but I know it'll be worth it in the end. Be prepared that your husband will be studying a lot! Because he has a bio background, I think he will excel. But, continue to be an encouragement to him during the program if he decides to go that route.

All the best.

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One more avenue would be Vermont Tech for a dedicated RN program or the LPN program then move to their RN program.

They have 8 sites throughout VT for these two programs.

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We looked into VTC too, they have branches in the town near us. That was part of what made this all so confusing for us though bc their program is so different from, say, an accelerated program so it's hard to understand what the best/right route would be..which will be both cost and time effective and produce the most valuable result.

Does anyone know rules about residency and getting in state tuition? Since we'd ultimately (we think) like to be in Florida we've been looking at University of Southern FL in Sarasota but the cost for out of state is outrageous! Do you need to live there for 12m to claim residency? Since his parents live there is there a way to claim he lives there now to start the clock ticking? PRobably not...just brainstorming here :)

thanks again!

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Check with the universities for residency requirements, but most of the time, if you live and work in the state for a year (12 consecutive months), have a drivers license from that state, and are a registered voter in that state- you're considered a resident.

So here's what I would suggest:

1. Move to Florida (if that's where you want to live),

2. Take the required prerequisites still needed (anatomy, statistics, psych, etc) at a local community college, to save money, (while you're also establishing residency),

3. Then apply to Accelerated BSN programs in Florida (because now it will be in-state tuition.)

This path will accomplish all your husbands goals in the cheapest and most efficient way possible. One year to establish residency while simultaneously taking required prereque's - then another 12-15 months for a BSN - 2 to 2 1/2 years total.

And trust me he'd rather have a BSN than an LPN, ASN, or RN. It's much appealing to employers.

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