Mid-Career Move to Nursing

Devon Rex, ADN, BSN · Mar 28, 2018

Hello laguy8,

I was 37 when I started going to college again. I was in working as a Supervisor in the Accounting Operations unit of a local government when the economy went sour. They offered a voluntary layoff package, so I took it and went to nursing school. I pretty much had to start from scratch, but I did it. Not only that, I moved on to my BSN as soon as I finished my ASN (my choice) at age 46.

I never regretted making the change. Time is going to go by no matter what you do... might as well aim for your dreams and make them true!

Rn2b2020 · Mar 30, 2018

I am almost 40 and working towards a career change to nursing. My graduate and undergraduate degrees are in the social sciences. I'm currently in my last semester of prerequisites and If all goes well, I'll be attending an evening/weekend ADN program at the local community college.

The advising office at the community college was very helpful. They evaluated my transcripts and told me which courses to take. Fittingly, sociology is a prerequisite course.

Good luck in your journey!

Mty69 · Mar 30, 2018

Hi RN 2b,

How is your nursing program going? I'm 48 and studying nursing as a second career also. I'm in my last semester of Pre-req's and will be beginning the BSN program in August 2018.

ThatBigGuy · Mar 30, 2018

Looks for second degree BSN programs. They will give you credit for some/most/all of the general core curriculum you have with your first degree (history, sociology, English, etc). You'll have to complete the nursing program pre-reqs before entry into the program, usually 1 year full time, but each program differs. Once you complete the pre-reqs, you'll apply for the BSN program.

If you apply for an ASN program, it will take the same amount of time to complete, but you will only retain an ASN rather than a BSN. You'll have to try an ASN-to-BSN program and hope your sociology degree classes transfer in.

Your best bet is to apply to all the second degree BSN programs you can find. I did this, and received my BSN in three years total (1 year pre-reqs, two years BSN program). You end up with the BSN, and don't have to worry about dealing with a bridge program.

GapYrs · Mar 30, 2018

I'm on the same road. Previous degree, BA, work in allied health and on my road to become a nurse, second career. I'm paying out of pocket unless scholarships are granted so I'm applying on LVN and ADN level while still working on pre-reqs. I will have to bridge and bridge and bridge but I'm praying I land at a facility that at least reimburse. I literally have only 3 classes away from applying for BSN level, preferably, WGU, but then there is still the money factor.

joneswm · Apr 3, 2018

I am 49 years old, I already have a BA, and I worked in banking for years. I applied to ADN program, because the tuition is much cheaper and I'm paying out of pocket, but I believe it is completely worth it. I was accepted into Triton College Fall 2018 program, and I am currently working at a hospital. I see it as an investment in my career in healthcare. Changing careers is scary, but I feel good about choosing nursing.

Merrie82, RN · Apr 5, 2018

I am in the process of changing careers ad well. I'm 35. I have a BA in History and Poli Sci. I have never actually worked in a field related to my degree though...several years as a restaurant manager, and 6 years in social services including my current job as a crisis worker. I am doing this per diem while I am in school. I am attending a community college because I am paying out of pocket and it's like 1/3 the cost. I am taking my last class other than clinicals this summer, then I have to wait until spring 2019 to start clinical classes (nursing 1, 2, 3, 4) due to a long wait list for these. I am excited and impatient to start these. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ I know I still have a ways to go...but I don't regret it so far

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Apr 5, 2018

OP: Can I make one suggestion? Don't change career fields based on the results of a test- go out there and find out what the work of nursing is really like. Meet nurses, talk to them and if at all possible, shadow one or two for a shift. THEN think about your path forward.

Rn2b2020 · Apr 6, 2018

Very excited about this transition. I have a weird situation because right now I have my full time"day job," a part-time adjunct position in a teacher preparation program, AND finishing up those last prereqs for nursing school his semester. The evening/weekend ADN program I'm interested in only offers spring start dates, so I'll be applying this summer for spring enrollment.

Prereqs are going pretty well. I avoided math as much as possible in my youth, so algebra was rough but I managed a B somehow. A's in everything else so far.

Definitely did a lot of homework and spent time with nurses before making this decision, and I feel confident about it. Never considered nursing before, until I gained direct experience with their work. I had a pretty unique position in a public sector agency where I was administratively responsible for about 300 staff, some of whom were RNs. I didn't stay with that job because the work environment was extremely toxic, but the gift I took with me was the decision to pursue a new career.

Rb72390 · Apr 11, 2018

OP: Can I make one suggestion? Don't change career fields based on the results of a test- go out there and find out what the work of nursing is really like. Meet nurses, talk to them and if at all possible, shadow one or two for a shift. THEN think about your path forward.

As a second to this, those tests actually have no scientific basis at all. It's a shame that employers still use them to some extent.

laguy8 · Apr 24, 2018

Thank you for your input/insight. I am definitely doing my due diligence to make sure it's the right fit. Planning to volunteer at a hospital in the next few months and shadow a nurse for a shift or two to see their day to day. I've also spoken to a few friends that are nurses as well as someone that transitioned from advertising to nursing as well.