Hey guys I need some advice. I am 25 yrs old. I feel I wasted 4-5 years of college working on a degree that hasnt brought me happiness nor a good job.
I have a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with majors in Management and Information Systems. I am also scheduled to complete my MBA this summer. The instability in the I.T. job market has led me to rethink my career goals and aspirations. I have been thinking for over a year to pursue nursing.
The thing that I am considering is:
Should I try to get into a LPN program then immediately after graduation bridge over to RN program
Should I try to get into an RN/ADN program
I am looking for the quickest route possible. I woudl like to work for the state or federal govt potentially.
If I had to do it all over again, I would've skip the lpn thing and go into the asn program spend about 3 semesters and pass boards, then start making a paycheck. And all the while you're working do a complete longdistance fast upgrade to the bsn which might take 2-3semesters. As far as an accelerated msn or bsn program, I'd suggest you 1st try being a nurse first before getting wrapped up in all of this accelerated stuff. Heck you may not even like it.
Specializes in Psych, Derm,Eye,Ortho,Prison,Surg,Med,.
The associate degree nurse does not have the clinical experience that is required to be a crackerjack nurse.
Go the LPN route first, then ADN. While an LPN, see if the government, or if in a large hospital, inquire if they will pay for your ADN degree. Federal (VA) and NYC hospitals will pay for tuition if you agree to give them a couple of years of service.
You may want to consider a field outside Nursing. Nuclear Medicine is a great field for someone with IT experience. But if you chose Nursing go for your BSN. You could probably challenge some of the Business courses and it would prepare you for a managerial position.
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
I have a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with majors in Management and Information Systems.
I am also scheduled to complete my MBA this summer.
With your educational background, earning an RN is your best bet.
Find a program that's designed for degreed individuals that will allow you to enter Nursing with either a BSN or MSN.
Does your university have a colege of nursing? If so, you may be able to get into a dual degree program that allows credit for your past courses.
In any event, I'd suggest sitting down & discussing your career goals with someone. Moving from IT to healthcare is a big leap, especially since you really haven't entered the field.
This is a great field, but don't jump in just because there all always jobs. Enter it if it's a profession that's right for YOU.
My RN program is 7 quarters of clinicals, but after the first 4 you can get your LPN and work doing that until you finish. We actually run into some of the 2nd year students at work when we are doing our clinical.
Either way, I'd definitely say don't go for anything less than your RN. The hospitals here don't hire any LPNs and actually the largest hospital here just laid off all their LPNs
i suggest going for the RN. i went into lpn school after graduating from high school to test out the field and i liked it. now im currently going for lvn to rn bridge. for me, i looked at the waiting list at a local community college and it was 3 years long. so instead of wasting 3 years to get into the program and another 2 years for the program itself, i decided to go lvn(which was 1 year long) and now rn(which is another 2 years). with my chosen path, i became an LVN and, most importantly, i gained experience. plus, i tested the waters of the nursing field and i found that i actually like the carreer. btw, the money isnt soo bad either, enough for a 20 year old atleast.
BULLYDAWGRN, RN
218 Posts
If I had to do it all over again, I would've skip the lpn thing and go into the asn program spend about 3 semesters and pass boards, then start making a paycheck. And all the while you're working do a complete longdistance fast upgrade to the bsn which might take 2-3semesters. As far as an accelerated msn or bsn program, I'd suggest you 1st try being a nurse first before getting wrapped up in all of this accelerated stuff. Heck you may not even like it.