Mid-Life Career Change to Nursing

[Mike1982]

Hello,

I'm a 32 year old male and I work in digital advertising in Silicon Valley. I've achieved success in my career, however; I don't find my career to be gratifying. I'd like to make a switch to nursing because I want to help people and I want the flexibility of geographic placement. (working in digital advertising, it's difficult to leave silicon valley).

My question is what level of education is needed considering I've already acquired an MBA? Do I have to start from scratch and pursue a bachelors degree? I believe I've read that some schools offer accelerated programs but every time I search for information, I'm covered in results from 'for-profit' universities.

Longer term, I'd like to pursue a nurse practitioner role but I understand that I should probably start as an RN. I'm looking into some volunteer opportunities so that I can begin to get exposed to the industry. Any feedback or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[lifelonglearner23]

Great question, which means you are giving this lots of thought and asking folks what their experiences are prior to making your decision. I have a bachelor's degree in management and MBA; and had a very successful career as well. Then I decided I wanted to fulfill my calling.

I researched what options were available to me and the costs associated with each option. I decided on a BSN accelerated program, but still had to redo all my prereqs prior to being accepted. Nursing school for me was a full time gig, but it was very rewarding. I start my first full-time RN job at a teaching hospital next month! Only time will tell where I will "end up" because life is a journey and for now I'm enjoying each phase.

By the way, patient care is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I remember a very good friend of mine telling me "I can't believe they pay me to do this." She was an RN for 40 years! After my first clinical day I had the same feeling. Yes, there is lots of yucky stuff, but when a patient says thanks they mean it and you know it! That is the best feeling in the world. And it is often the smallest of gestures.

It takes determination to get to nursing school, to get through nursing school and to be a nurse. But the rewards are unimaginable.

Best of luck on your journey.

[Raviepoo]

I want to caution you against going to LPN/LVN school. As an MBA you will have an enormous socioeconomic chasm to transverse in order to survive and it won't put you any closer to your ultimate goals. An educated person should consider nothing less than an accelerated BSN program or MAYBE an associates degree program that can be completed in 2 years, followed by a quick, online BSN. (They exist.) Once upon a time it was possible to get a hospital job as an LPN and have the hospital pay for your future training. That route no longer exists. Many hospitals in my area have made the BSN degree the entry level qualification for floor nurses.

Trust me. I took the wrong route based on bad advice. Maybe, some day I will be able to work as a floor nurse in a hospital. My ultimate goal is much, much farther off.

[maddogatc]

There are degree programs that allow you to obtain your take the NCLEX with an ADN. Many of those programs are associated with community colleges and are accredited. I retired from being an Air Traffic Controller at age 53 with several advanced degrees, including a PhD, but because my degrees were more than 10 years old, I needed to take all the pre-requisites again, except for my Freshman English courses and the course related to HIV/AIDS. I did take CLEP tests for several of the course requirements, but not all courses have CLEP exams available. I took courses through three different Universities and Community Colleges, about 1/2 of the courses were online, and finished up all the pre-reqs in about 6 months. It just depends upon how much free time you have to go to school.

The one nice thing about having a Bachelor's, or more, is that you may be accepted into many MSN programs once you have your RN license and a bit of experience. I am currently working on my MSN in Clinical Informatics, and I am about halfway through the program after only two years as an RN. I guess the best course of action for you to take is the one that is most available to you in your area. I don't want to put a damper on your aspirations, and it sounds like a cliché, but Nursing is a calling, not jut a job or profession. Not everyone, even many of those who are currently working as Nurses, should be Nurses.

I hope this helped. Thanks.

[lleecooper]

I would recommend you look for a pre-licensure MSN program, such as the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) program available at Georgia Regents University, and now at Queens in Charlotte (possibly also other places). It is an accelerated pre-licensure MSN program for people with a bachelor's (or higher) in a non-nursing field. The CNL is a separate credentialing, but this program prepares you for that as well as the NCLEX. That is what I did after a previous career in communications and it has served me well. I do not know of anyone who has had a hard time finding a job after completing this program and obtaining licensure.

[lleecooper]

Additionally, you would be a good candidate for such a program with graduate level experience, and leadership experience suggested by your MBA.

[folkfaerie]

Why not start with a 2-yr RN (ADN) program? If you move to Texas you can get your BSN through UT, or Texas Tech online in another year. I know many people say go with the BSN from the start, but with an ADN you can get into the field quickly & be working, thus gaining job experience, while getting the BSN. Texas still has plenty of openings for ADNs & even LVNs. I went to school at McLennan Community College in Waco, TX & they have LVN, RN (ADN) & BSN (through Texas Tech).

[NextGen]

I also earned a MBA and worked in IT for 10 years. I volunteered at my hospital in direct patient care for 2 years then worked the last year in direct patient care while in nursing school. By the time I graduated with my ADN, I was comfortable in the hospital atmosphere and had many recommendations from nurses I worked with. Although my hospital is only hiring BSNs, they made an exception for me. I'm currently doing an RN-to-BSN program online.

SUGGESTION #1: Volunteering is a great way to make sure that this is what you want to do before you invest time and money in the education part. Volunteer at the hospital that you want to work at. If you work hard without getting paid for it - it gets noticed fast.

Accelerated programs: These are not for everyone. They move through tremendous amounts of important information quickly. Passing tests does not always equate to understanding material. To be a competent nurse in the long run, you must have a good understanding of the basics of A&P, Microbiology, Organic Chemistry and the core competencies of nursing. You will do most of your learning on your own by reading the books. There is simply no substitute for putting in the time and effort and reading. This career path is about a lot more than just hanging IVs and passing meds. I see a tremendous difference between the nurses who studied and understand the core competencies and those who don't.

This is not a job you can do for money and the learning will continue till the day you retire. Best of luck to you.

[Spartacvs, BSN]

Do not, under any circumstances, start with an LPN.

It is a complete waste of money. You will find that you come out with very limited job opportunities.

The LPN use to be an entry into practice but that is no longer the case.

[Spartacvs, BSN]

Good Afternoon,

I am 51, worked 25 years in the Advertising/Commercial printing industry in NYC.

I have a degree in advertising and printing management.

I went to a 2 year community college, received an ADN and was extremely lucky to have found a job at a a local hospital.

The manager who hired me was actually my first clinical instructor.

I started out on Med/Surg with an 8:1 ratio at nights. 12hr nights btw

My organization, will not under, any circumstances, hire an ADN.

After 1 year I was eligible to receive education benefits and will be done with my BSN through Chamberlain College next week.

They will also pay for my MSN. This is a union shop (1199 SEIU).

Why pay for it if you can get someone else to?

Volunteering will not give you a real sense of the nursing experience and is a waste of time.

HR holds the keys to employment. The HR department doesn't see volunteers.

I volunteered while in school doing IT work for the managers of a few hospitals and when it came down to getting hired as an RN it didn't mean squat. As I have said, HR holds the keys to the kingdom.

You will not be able to 'shadow' a nurse. There is too much liability.

No matter what, a BSN will trump an ADN every time. It will haunt you when you try to make internal transfers as well.

-Spart-

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

Nursing was my second career. I had a BA in English. I opted for a very well respected ADN program in Austin(where I lived at the time.) I had a hospital job before I'd graduated, and I relocated after a year across the country to NY and again got a hospital job with no issue. I interviewed for several other jobs and got offers with them as well. I personally have not seen the "BSN preference" that everyone talks about, and BSNs don't/didn't get any different pay at either of my hospital jobs. I've also gotten no ultimatums about getting a BSN. There are accelerated Masters programs as well if you have your ADN and an unrelated Bachelors. That's what I'm looking at currently.

[mrsgraham521]

I'm so glad I found this post!! I too have a B.S. In Finance, and have started an ADN program.

My question to anyone available is, what if you don't want to work in a hospital, but want to work in an Urgent Care Facility or a Doctors Office? Is the BSN still recommended? Or could I get my ADN/RN & transition it to a BSN online afterwards?

I only ask because it appears that those seeking to work in a hospital, are being told that the BSN is recommended versus an ASN.

Thanks,

Teka ?