Looking to apply to school soon..Need advice!

[k.ben1018]

I am currently a teacher, teaching 7th grade science in Phoenix, AZ. Even when I began college straight out of high school, I always had the desire to be a nurse. Now I am two degrees down, a Bachelor's and a Master's in Education but my heart is pulling me to nursing. I am just looking for some basic advice or tips on the process for going back to school, lessons learned or pointers for do's and don'ts.

[idkmybffjill]

Just from what I've found myself:

I'd research the schools near you and figure out what their prereqs are, so you get a good idea of what classes you are going to need in order to apply. Pretty much all programs are going to require at least A&P I and II, microbiology, and another science, and some programs only take courses that were taken within the last 4-7 years. (I almost didn't realize that one of the programs I applied for requires my statistics course--which I took 8 years ago--to be taken within the last 7 years, so I've been double checking now. Make sure you factor it based on when you are planning to apply to the program.) So definitely start seeing what you are going to need to take/re-take, if anything. .

You should also look into the different types of programs to figure out which one works the best for what you want to do. ADN and LPN programs appear to be good for getting you out in the field faster than a BSN and without a high cost. Some hospitals hire LPNs and ADN RNs frequently while some don't, depending on the area. Where I live, you generally need a BSN to be hired at a hospital, but a lot of areas don't experience this. From there, you can then do a RN to BSN program, and your employer may pay for it.

You can also go straight for a BSN, either in a regular track or an accelerated track (due to you already having a bachelors). Accelerated programs can be pricey though, so check the cost of tuition for the ones around you.

Otherwise, just watch out for programs that aren't regionally accredited.

[k.ben1018]

Hi, thank you for your reply!

That is some very sound advice. I am going to be speaking with an advisor soon at a local community college that offers a concurrent enrollment program to see how quickly I can get through the pre-reqs and then be able to apply to the program. I am juggling between just getting my ADN and then working while receiving my BSN. There are so many different paths to go down with this career so I just want to be certain I choose the right one!

Thanks again :)