Looking for direction in Michigan ... long post

[Over50NewCareer]

i've been researching via the internet and scouring these forums looking for answers to what direction i should go. i've wanted to be a nurse since i was in my teens and even tho i'm over 50 - i've decided to do it. i also like the idea that i can work in a field where i can work whenever, and wherever, and as much as, or as little as, and in whatever area i desire. what better field than in nursing!

i just need some advice - do i go fast and get a pn? :uhoh3:or get an associates / rn? :uhoh3:or the long route with a bsn / rn? ... so confusing ...

someone correct me if i'm wrong, but so far i've come up with these three paths:

going the easier access / quick route - pn certificate like they offer at everest institute in grand rapids

~classes start in january 09

~currently around $30k, but lots of financial aid and/or loans available

~but you can get in right away, as opposed to a 1-2 or 3 year wait

~takes only 1 year to complete, but you can't miss alot of days (like 3, i think)

~and they strongly suggest not working while in school as the classes are intense so you have to have backup income while attending (spouse, etc)

~once completed can sit for the nclex-lpn

~most of the classes from everest don't transfer to colleges so if you want to pursue an associates or bachelors / rn later, you have to start all over

~but once you are an lpn you can be working while continuing education for the rn - and maybe get lucky and the place you work at will pay for the rn bachelors degree!

~can be working as an lpn by jan 2010, but at only $15 / hour to start (in the grand rapids area)

or take the middle road and attend a community college like grcc

~currently around $12k

~but have to wait - about a 2-3 year wait for acceptance into the nursing associates / adn classes

~meanwhile take some of the prerequisite classes

~at the end of the rainbow (4-5 years when include the 2-3 year wait time) i'd only have an associates degree

~but can then sit for the nclex-rn exam

~then continue in the rn / bsn classes at maybe gvsu (grand valley state)

~can be working as an rn by 2012, at around $25 - $30 / hour to start

~if i was a everest / pn certificate graduate i will have earned about $60k for 2 years working - but as an rn i can make that up in one year

or just bite it and take the long road - and attend gvsu from the get-go

~currently around $25k - (may be different $ for others - i already have degree in another area so i can opt out of some of the pre reqs)

~start the pre reqs i don't currently have - chemistry, biology, etc (my other degree was in computer science so didn't take any of those type of classes)

~apply for nursing in about 1 ½ years (they have a wait time of several years but if i take the pre reqs at gvsu - and get good grades there is a better chance to be "bumped" up the acceptance line

~if i really push it, and start classes jan 2009, can graduate in 3 years-maybe fall of 2011

~will be 2x as much $ to go for my bsn, but should be working in 3 years

~can be working as an rn by 2012 - maybe even 2011

~with bachelors degree, can then go on to a masters or even nurse practitioner!

well...putting this all down on paper - i guess i've talked myself into it - i think i'm going to take a deep breath and go down the long road. onto the gvsu site i go ... saga to be continued...

[UVA Grad Nursing]

If you have an undergraduate degree in another field already, you may want to look at the accelerated BSN programs. I have seen some in as short as 12 months (and dozens more in the 15-18 month range).

The AACN website has a helpful list of accelerated programs -- most of which welcome 'seasoned' students like yourself who can bring practical world experiences to the field of nursing. In my own program, the mean age of entering Direct Entry students is 30, and we have several each year in their 50s.

This site at the AACN also lists LPN-BSN programs (if you are intersted in that too).

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/nurse_ed/nep_index.htm

Good luck

[SweettartRN]

i've been researching via the internet and scouring these forums looking for answers to what direction i should go. i’ve wanted to be a nurse since i was in my teens and even tho i'm over 50 - i've decided to do it. i also like the idea that i can work in a field where i can work whenever, and wherever, and as much as, or as little as, and in whatever area i desire. what better field than in nursing!

i just need some advice - do i go fast and get a pn? :uhoh3:or get an associates / rn? :uhoh3:or the long route with a bsn / rn? ... so confusing ...

someone correct me if i'm wrong, but so far i've come up with these three paths:

going the easier access / quick route - pn certificate like they offer at everest institute in grand rapids

~classes start in january 09

~currently around $30k, but lots of financial aid and/or loans available

~but you can get in right away, as opposed to a 1-2 or 3 year wait

~takes only 1 year to complete, but you can't miss alot of days (like 3, i think)

~and they strongly suggest not working while in school as the classes are intense so you have to have backup income while attending (spouse, etc)

~once completed can sit for the nclex-lpn

~most of the classes from everest don't transfer to colleges so if you want to pursue an associates or bachelors / rn later, you have to start all over

~but once you are an lpn you can be working while continuing education for the rn - and maybe get lucky and the place you work at will pay for the rn bachelors degree!

~can be working as an lpn by jan 2010, but at only $15 / hour to start (in the grand rapids area)

or take the middle road and attend a community college like grcc

~currently around $12k

~but have to wait - about a 2-3 year wait for acceptance into the nursing associates / adn classes

~meanwhile take some of the prerequisite classes

~at the end of the rainbow (4-5 years when include the 2-3 year wait time) i'd only have an associates degree

~but can then sit for the nclex-rn exam

~then continue in the rn / bsn classes at maybe gvsu (grand valley state)

~can be working as an rn by 2012, at around $25 - $30 / hour to start

~if i was a everest / pn certificate graduate i will have earned about $60k for 2 years working - but as an rn i can make that up in one year

or just bite it and take the long road – and attend gvsu from the get-go

~currently around $25k – (may be different $ for others – i already have degree in another area so i can opt out of some of the pre reqs)

~start the pre reqs i don’t currently have – chemistry, biology, etc (my other degree was in computer science so didn’t take any of those type of classes)

~apply for nursing in about 1 ½ years (they have a wait time of several years but if i take the pre reqs at gvsu – and get good grades there is a better chance to be “bumped” up the acceptance line

~if i really push it, and start classes jan 2009, can graduate in 3 years–maybe fall of 2011

~will be 2x as much $ to go for my bsn, but should be working in 3 years

~can be working as an rn by 2012 – maybe even 2011

~with bachelors degree, can then go on to a masters or even nurse practitioner!

well…putting this all down on paper - i guess i’ve talked myself into it – i think i’m going to take a deep breath and go down the long road. onto the gvsu site i go … saga to be continued...

over50,

if i may. i am currently attending everest, and will be pinned next month. i just got my first job and have been hired as an lpn, before graduation, at $18.00 an hour in a manager position with full benefits.

some cons? you can't work during this program. it's impossible. you are in class m-f 8-5 and when they say 8-5 it's 8-5 and sometimes days are much longer. on top of that, when you get to semester 2, you have about 30 hours of studying and homework on top of the school work that you are required to attend.

it did take only a year, but it was a long year. i don't know that i could do it again.

hope some of this helps.

for what it's worth, grcc did just add extra hours to their programs, and are going all year around to cut down on having a waiting list. the don there is a bit narcisstic and nasty, but it's saving about $15,000.