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I have just decided to pursue a second career in my life. I received a B.A. in journalism 20 years ago, and have worked in the field ever since. Back in college, I was a pre-nursing major for a brief time, even taking Microbiology, Anatomy and Phys I and II. I do not recall if I finished the courses or what grades I got. (I will find out tomorrow when I pick up my unofficial transcripts!) The more I read, the more confused I get, but it seems that the best route for me is to take nursing pre-reqs for the next two years or so, and then apply to the Accelerated BSN program, which is offered at the university here. Am I on the right track here? What if I cannot get into the nursing program for some time after completing pre-reqs? Am I going to have to take so many more classes than the pre-reqs (such as Biology and Algebra)because of the length of time that has passed? I do not know how I would test in those areas today. I am committed to doing this, and I have the time and determination to chip away at the pre-reqs over the next two years. I just want to know if anyone out there has any advice or tips for me or if I am just plain crazy to do this in my 40s. I appreciate any advice!

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Specializes in Behavioral Health & Emergency Medicine.

Hello there and welcome to the forum! Your background tracks mine pretty closely, although I'm a good year or so ahead of you. About twenty years ago I finished graduate school with a master's degree in journalism from a well-known Ivy League university. I then embarked on a wonderful career as a news reporter and later a public relations executive with The Walt Disney Company in Los Angeles. All good things come to an end, though, and after two decades in the media business I decided I'd had enough. I'd done all I wanted to do in PR and media and was ready for a new career and fresh challenge.

I'd always wanted to be a doctor when I was a kid, but at my age (48), med school isn't really practical. So I decided to go back to school to become an RN. I quit working in the spring and went back to school full time to get my pre-requisites out of the way. I'm in my last semester now, with a 3.8 GPA, and I begin a 12-month accelerated BSN program here in St. Louis in January. I'm excited and scared to death...all at the same time. But I couldn't be happier. I'm finally doing something that, in all honesty, I should have done years ago.

Bottom line: If you're a good, disciplined student and can truly devote yourself to school, there's no reason why you can't be an RN in two years. With a bachelor's degree and your prerequisites out of the way, you can enter an accelerated program and have your BSN in 12-15 months. If it is something you really want to do, go for it! If you're like me, you won't regret one minute of it.

Good luck to you! Don't hesitate to let us know if you have any other questions.

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Thanks for the encouragement. What made you finally decide to make the change? I just can't see myself doing the same thing for another twenty years, and now that I have made a decision to forge ahead, I already feel more optimistic about the future. I picked up unofficial transcripts today, and also found that I can use many pre-reqs if I want. Have decided that I will re-do most, if not all, to raise my gpa. The program here in Tucson is very competitive and I will need a gpa as high as yours! So, from Calif. to MO? That is interesting! Good luck in your program and thanks for responding (even though I posted in the wrong place!)

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Hi there, I would recommend that improve your gpa if you want to get into the BSN program. I live in AZ and will begin my BSN in Jan at ASU. Even though I have 4.0 gpa I still feel the pressure. Gosh, they are so competitive. Have you ever consider the two years nursing program? You can go to one of those two years program, then find a job and let the hospital pay for your Rn-BSN program. Some of my friends choose to go for it. Keep the faith! Good Luck!:up:

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I have been taking my pre-reqs and will be applying to the nursing program in the fall of 2009 here in Tucson. This is a career change for me too after 15 years in the banking industry. I have 2 kids as well, 3 and 1, and am a stay at home mom in order to concentrate on my studies. I know you could do this too. Older students and moms at that, seem to take on the challenges better and are more dedicated. You probably know this anyway, but most of the math and science classes will need to be retaken. They are typically only good for 3-8 years....Good Luck

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Wow, a lot of you sound very familiar to me as well. I have my BA and Masters in different (related...but different) fields and I'm going back this Spring. As far as pre-reqs, just find out the exact ones you need for nursing school and start checking off the list. Because you have your bachelors, your Gen-Eds will be taken care of. Your A&P and Micro should most certainly transfer (if you completed them and passed) and just start moving on with the other cores (Nutrition, Algebra, chemistry and lab, Usually some kind of developmental psych, sociology, and a prereq for us was Patho). I love hearing about other people doing it.

After my 2 degrees, I had all the pre-reqs except micro and patho. I chipped away at those while still working (and with a lil one :)) starting in Fall 07 and Now I'll be starting the Upper division (Jr/Sr Years) of a BSN program.

I'm so excited to see other 2nd career-ers on here! You can do it! We all can!

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Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.

I think most schools require you to have taken A&P 1 and 2, Micro, and the chems within the last 5 years. So you might have to retake those, but the rest of the classes you took with your previous bachelor's should transfer over, like Estudent said above. If you're terrible at math, you can always take a math class to refresh your skills. You really don't need to retake any other classes. Most of the info you need for the program is in A&P and chem.

I absolutely love my ABSN program. It's VERY tough, but so worth it. Good luck to you!!!!

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Hi there, I would recommend that improve your gpa if you want to get into the BSN program. I live in AZ and will begin my BSN in Jan at ASU. Even though I have 4.0 gpa I still feel the pressure. Gosh, they are so competitive. Have you ever consider the two years nursing program? You can go to one of those two years program, then find a job and let the hospital pay for your Rn-BSN program. Some of my friends choose to go for it. Keep the faith! Good Luck!:up:

Hi RP, thanks for the encouragement. This is the part I am confused about...do most colleges offer the 2 year program? Is it actually called an RN program? I am confused! Can you explain how that works? It is definitely an option for me.

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This is so good for me to hear others going through the same thing. Every school is different, I'm sure, but here's what I found out: all pre-reqs will apply, no matter the length of time, but you are responsible for knowing all of the material. Well, I don't even remember taking the classes! I mean, I remember being in the class, but had to question myself: Did I finish? Did I drop? Did I pass? So yes, I will be back. What I did take already, with Bs or Cs (different priorities in my 20s) was A&P I, Nutrition, Micro and Algebra. I feel I definitely will take A&P and Micro again. Should I also repeat Nutrition and Algebra? I would love feedback on this.

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I think your best bet would be to go and talk to someone in admissions before you decide to retake classes. I know for my program the only time limits they have are for the Anatomy and physiology courses. I don't think you would have to take Algebra again but you should check with the admissions office. And you are never too old to go after what you want. Good luck!

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Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.

I wouldn't worry about retaking nutrition or algebra. You'll get what you need to know in the program. Good luck, I hope you figure everything out!!!

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