Need advice on nursing school/prgram for second career middle aged woman!!!

HM2VikingRN, RN · Jul 12, 2007

Dear all,
I am 43 years old and wanting to get into a nursing program. I was sick of getting paid so little with my ex-job and sick of treated badly by my manager in the past.
About a couple of months ago my father got really sick and I had to take care of him. He was in and out of ER and hospital for a month. Now he is in the nursing facility. He needs a oxigen tank with him so he could not come home.
It was my awenkeng experience in the hospital and nursing home to take care of my father. I really liked being in the hospital. I am not really sure how I feel to nurse patient but at least I liked being in the hospital. I talked to many CNAs, LVN, and RNs about the nursing school.
So here is my questions. I want to start as soon as possible the LVN or RN but it seems that LVN I could start right away and will be done with it in a year but it costs so much. I found out Casa Loma College, Los Angeles ($24K per program).
I have already BA and MS but I took college bio, college chem, math, etc., long time ago. And I am very scared to start a new career.
If I get my RN around when I am 46 am I still be able to get a job easily?
Or should I just start a private LVN program coming this July 30th?
Please give your thoughts and advice. I will greatly appreciate!!
Thank you so much in advance.

I would apply for an accelerated RN program. I am 46 and I am just about finished with school and I know that there are jobs available. Follow your muse!

kcalohagirl · Jul 12, 2007

Hi there! Best of luck to you! I also did nursing as a second career, although I am a few years younger than you. I just have a couple thoughts, take them or leave them. I went through a BSN program.

I also had a BA from before, and had taken some of the science courses that were needed for nursing. Some programs requre that your sciences (Bio, Chem, Anatomy, Physiology) have been taken within a certain number of years of your application to the nursing program. I had only taken Bio, which I retook as a review (I hadn't been in school in a while) and then followed up with Chem, Anatomy, and Phys, in that order, taking one science class per semester. I had other prerequisites to fill as well, such as Ethics, Statistics, Human Development, Child Development, Nutrition, and I can't remember what all else. I took about 3 classes per semester/summer and continued to work.

I encourage you to look at a program that would allow you to be an RN. There are ADN and BSN programs both. ADN programs offered through community colleges can be quite affordable. I know that many hospitals in my area have phased LPNs out of the system entirely, and I think you might have a wider variety of opportunities as an RN.

That being said, I would encourage you to look at a BSN program, though not necessarily an accellerated one (the accelerated programs generally get you through training in 12-15 months) I have spoken to some co-workers who went through accelerated programs who felt that they did not get as much clinical time and were not as comfortable with clinical aspects of practice as their peers who went through at a slower pace.

Having a BSN opens up more doors as far as moving into management, etc. That may not be everyone's cup of tea. Some of the best bedside nurses I work with in my current job are ADNs.

Best of luck to you. I don't know if I provided anything helpful or if I just muddied the waters, but I wish you the best.

Just to give you my timeline, it took me 2 summers and the fall and spring semester between them to finish my prereqs, and nursing school was an additional 2 years after that. It seemed like a long road then, but believe me, it was worth it! (And I can think of at least 5 people in my nursing class of 50 who were over 40 when we started)

peace07 · Jul 12, 2007

Hi,

Thank you so much for your reply. Your advice and exsperience gave me some hope. I was afraid to take a time to go through BSN but maybe I should take my time to go through it. I knew my goal is getting BSN eventurally. So again, thank you for your throughful input.

peace07

kcalohagirl · Jul 12, 2007

No problem. *grin* As you spend time on this board, I'm sure you'll find some great resources, and maybe even hear from some other people who have been in the same boat as you. It's a wonderful venue!

deeDawntee, RN · Jul 12, 2007

Hello,

I also got my RN later in life. Don't worry, you will be in good company, there were a lot of older students in my class and I never felt that I wasn't able to keep up. Your life experience and other schooling will serve you well. I got my ADN and am currently slowly working towards a BSN. Your credits should apply, since you have degrees, otherwise I believe there is usually a time limit, at least in the schools around where I live. Honest to God, it is never too late, my sister-in-law got her LPN just before her 60th birthday and is working towards her RN. She was cherished in her class!!!

I would recommend getting your (2 yr) RN right away, if you can get into a program, I know there are usually waiting lists etc.

You need to change your attitude. Be proud of who you are and what you've accomplished in life. You don't have to feel that you don't belong. I also decided that I wanted to be a nurse when I had spent time with my Mother at the end of her life. Follow your heart and keep your head held high!!!!

:rolleyes: :yeah: You can do it!!!!

Natkat, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 12, 2007

I'm 46 and will graduate nursing school when I'm 47. I plan to continue on for my BSN and MSN. So I'll be in my 50's when I graduate. At least I'll have a degree and I'll still be in my 50's anyway.

mauxtav8r · Jul 12, 2007

Way to go!!! Nursing at "our" age is terrific.

I, too, had a bachelor's from earlier in life and after looking around, I found that RN and BSN programs would have me out at the same time. Sounds from your original post that time may be a factor? in which case, the LPN/LVN might go quicker, I'm not sure.

Trouble is, in my area, LPNs don't make ANY more money than BSN *students*. So, you might consider stepping into a BSN program for the future possibilities (especially considering your prior academic history) and getting a student nurse job if income is an issue.

Best of luck.

L&D_2b · Jul 12, 2007

I'm not sure if this was already mentioned or not, but if you already have a BS degree, why not look into an accelerated BSN program? They usually only take a year or a year and a half and you will not only have your RN license, but also your BSN. Some universities call them accelerated BSN programs, others call them a second degree BSN program.

You could do a program search at http://www.discovernursing.com.

Good luck,

Marci

L&D_2b · Jul 12, 2007

I just re-read your initial post and if you can start an LPN program at the end of the month and can afford the high $, I would go that route. Most RN programs have a year or two (sometimes more) wait. You could be working as a nurse well before you would even get accepted somewhere else. And LPN to RN bridge programs usually have no or little waitlist, so you could bridge over and be done with your RN before you know it.

However, I would still look into that accelerated BSN program I told you about. There just might be one startng soon that you could get into. If so, that is your best route.

Good luck,

Marci

oldiebutgoodie, RN · Jul 12, 2007

I started a BSN program at the ripe old age of 50. Got along great with my classmates, and was voted to be speaker at our pinning ceremony. Got a job with NO PROBLEM at all, and when I decided that job did not work out, I got another job with NO PROBLEM.

So, the jobs are there, and age should not be a consideration.

Oldiebutgoodie

Joe NightingMale, MSN, RN · Jul 12, 2007

:welcome:My brother-in-law and I are both in our mid-30's and both going into nursing, but by very different routes:

My brother-in-law is just completing a year-long LPN program at an Indiana community college. He too has a BS (biology) and thought the classes were easy. He tested well enough so that he skipped the waiting list. He's going to do an online RN program so he can start working as an LPN, and may eventually get an MSN. He figured that with a family and a mortgage it was the best choice for him.

I also have a biology degree (MS) but I don't have a mortgage or family, so I went into a direct-entry MSN program. I'm just starting and should be done in about 2 years. Since I have an interest in doing counseling, research, or teaching (all require MSN) I decided to go straight for it.

I know relatively little about regular BSN programs. I know the accelerated BSN programs have competitive admissions and long lists of prerequisites (actually considerably more than my MSN program).

In your situation I think the LPN route might be better...though I would second the suggestion to see the Discover Nursing website. There are many opportunities for nursing education at all levels for all different kinds of people.