In need of some advice!

[8ballkate]

Hello everyone!

I'm currently living in the midwest, and am making the move to boston next July 2009. I went to school and actually got a degree in music- I currently do lessons and work in a music store. I've since realized that while I really love being a musician, I don't think it's what I'm supposed to be doing and I'm ready for a big career change- which will be NURSING :) I'm really excited about this- also scared because it's something completely different for me.

I want to eventually get a BSN. I was wondering if anyone could help me out with what steps I should take next. Should I work on getting my prereq's out of the way and then go for an accel. program somewhere? Or, should I take the RN-BSN route? Or an LPN-RN-BSN? I'm still in Indiana for another 6 months, so I might take a few prereq's and have them transfer over. I realize it's hard to be accepted into these accel. programs, and I've heard you should just go to whichever school accepts you. Any advice would be very much appreciated because I'm new to this whole thing. and slightly overwhelmed! Thanks in advance

[PreggersRN, BSN, RN]

I am a second career RN. Have a degree I do not use and have no desire to ever use again. Went into nursing and I love it. It has its pros and cons like any other career.

I did not do an accelerated program though, because many of them are intense and you can not work while doing it.

If you have the option of not working by all means go for it (I have friends who did accelerated programs though and regretted it-they felt like they were not prepared for the floor or the NCLEX)

You can look into BSN programs that require you the have the pre reqs and then you go there to take just the nursing courses. That will take you about 1 1/2 to 2 years.

I went to the first school who accepted me (had bills to pay, had already been in school for 4 years, etc.) it was an ASN program. It took me a little over a year. Got a nursing job and used the hospitals reimbursement to get my BSN.

Total it took me about 2 1/2 years to get my BSN. But, I have no debt (student loans) from my ASN or BSN. So for me it worked out.

PM me if you have any further questions.

Whatever you decide I wish you the best.