I am overwhelmed with the amount of pathways for becoming a nurse

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Hi everyone,

I'd like to give you all a background of myself

- 32 year old male with a BBA in Business Administration (3.31 Overall GPA)

- Currently working as a CNA (I also have QMAP certification) at a hospital in Denver

- My wife is a BSN RN hospice nurse and we have a severely disabled toddler, both of which inspired me to become a nurse

- My ultimate goal is to be an ER nurse, work with people who have addictions, or become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

When I first started college about 12 years ago, I wanted to be a nurse but I was intimidated with taking so many pre-requisites and not knowing if I'd even be accepted into a program. Instead I earned a business degree. This past January I told myself that I need to follow my dream of becoming a nurse. I completed a CNA and QMAP program, and now I am trying to decide what path to take to become an nurse. My wife will be working full-time once I start a program and I have been blessed with an inheritance that will help us out with tuition and living expenses until I start working after I am done with school. It's a lot of money but not enough to pay for all of school and rent, etc. However, it will definitively help us tremendously.

_ My first bachelor's degree was paid for WITHOUT student loans. I will need to take out federal student loans to help. Do I qualify for FAFSA loans even though I already have a 4 year degree (keep in mind I've never used federal aid)?

- A concern of mine is that almost all of the accelerated BSN programs in Denver have different pre-requisites. Can anyone recommend a program that is not super, super competitive as far as admissions? I am an A/B+ student so I have excellent study habits and discipline, but I just want to make sure I get into a program.

-I've been thinking of getting an LPN because it's admission process is not as competitive, and plus I'd get to work sooner. However, it doesn't seem like Denver has any LPN - RN programs. Also I do not want to work in Long-Term Care. I really, really want to work in a hospital setting. Is the LPN route recommended? It's very appealing to me, but I'm thinking I won't be fulfilled and/or it doesn't match my goals.

-For my pre-requisites I have A's in the English, Statistics, all of the social/behavioral science, Nutrition classes, and I have a B in Anatomy & Physiology I.

I'd appreciate any feedback regarding my chances of getting admitted right away, ideas on which program in Denver I should be working toward, advice on if I qualify for federal student loans, is LPN a route worth taking initially. Thanks so much!

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Thank you for all the replies and advice. Much appreciated.

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Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology RN.

@Tyler118632 Hi! Okay so for the LPN route please just dont bother. You wont be able to get into the hospital. And will end up going back to school for your RN anyways... I myself did LPN school because I didnt have a strong GPA to get into RN school back in 2013. I went back after 3 years of only being able to do hospice, homehealth, and wellness nursing. Just go straight to RN school! good luck!

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On ‎9‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 9:58 AM, Tyler118632 said:

My first bachelor's degree was paid for WITHOUT student loans. I will need to take out federal student loans to help. Do I qualify for FAFSA loans even though I already have a 4 year degree (keep in mind I've never used federal aid)?

Yes you can still get federal student loans.. They will be unsubsidized since you already have a degree meaning that interest starts accruing from the date they are dispersed.

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