I need career advice

[riverroses]

I am new to this site so hope I'm posting this in the right area. I am considering going back to school to become a registered nurse. I had my transcript sent to my community college and am waiting to find out what credits I still need to get on the wait list. I have a bachelor's degree in technical management with a focus in accounting. I received a 4.0 in college. The problem is I graduated almost seven years ago and have been a stay at home mom since. I've been trying to get a job for the past year with no luck. My accounting professor has advised me to go get any minimum wage job I can which wouldn't be helpful to my family. I always wished I chose nursing originally. It seems that my degree is worthless now because so many laws and rules have changed in accounting. So I'm very interested in the RN program. I know it's going to be extremely difficult but it will be worth it if I actually find employment in the end. My main question is since I have such a gap in employment am I going to have the same issue finding a job if I do choose this program? I worry about wasting so much time and energy and still having a hard time getting a job in the end. Any advice would be much appreciated!

[AZMOMO2]

Hum... I would recommend applying to an accelerated bachelor's program instead of going the CC route. There is a 2 year or more waitlist at this time, after you take all of your science classes. There are many more opportunities for these programs, and generally there is no wait time for placement. The down side is that they are more expensive.

You can try getting a CNA and and getting your foot in the door that way to the "nursing" world. It is not a glamours job by any means but well there is experience and contacts to make if done correctly.

Your gap in employment really isn't going to effect your chances of getting hired as a nurse, the fact that you are a new grad nurse is going to effect it more. Having a BSN instead of an ADN is going to give you a leg up around here, where every job posting says BSN preferred.

AZ has a glut of new grad nurses and a down economy not very supportive of them.

[riverroses]

Thanks for the advice. Yep the higher cost is what stops me from wanting to go that route. When me and my husband first went to college they sold us on the loans claiming we'll pay them right off after college. Life, 2 kids, lay-offs, and many years later has proved otherwise. I am still working on my old student loans. Makes me nervous to add more. But I will explore the BSN option and the CNA.

[cindyloowho]

where do you live? NAU's accelerated program is 12 months. U of A has a 15 month direct entry MSN program that grants you a Master's. And ASU has some options for people with Bachelor degrees, too. I did the accelerated BSN program at NAU and it was not that expensive, like 20 grand total and there were tons of scholarships available. Good luck!

[riverroses]

I'm in Surprise so I think ASU and Grand Canyon University are two possibilities. Thanks and congrats getting through school. Did you graduate recently since the economy has been rough or back when it was easier to get hired? Has it been hard to get a job? And did you have prior experience?