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Discussion

Need Direction- Help!

I am 48 years old and very much want to become a nurse. I have a bachelors degree in Communication, graduated in 1990. I am not sure any of my courses would transfer because it was so long ago.

So, I think I need to start from scratch. I do not even know where to start. What degree do I apply for, what schools do I look at, how long will it take. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

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    • Featured Replies

    Hi! What state do you live in?

    I would strongly suggest looking at your local community colleges. Many will offer the ADN - which is a two year program for an associates in nursing. However, many community colleges are now starting to offer a concurrent associates and BSN degree program to meet the expectations and demand of employers.

    Depending on where you live, an ADN may be enough to secure a job after graduation. However, in other areas the minimum requirement will be a BSN, so do some research on the job market in your area (for example, go onto Indeed.com, search for RN jobs in your area and take a look at the minimum educational requirements).

    Having said that, my suggestion would be to shoot for a BSN, especially as you already have a bachelors degree! A BSN will give you more flexibility once you start work in terms of promotion and advancement etc.

    My first port of call would be your local community college. Meet with an advisor (many colleges have a specific advisor for the nursing program due to its popularity) and take a list of questions. If you have a copy of your unofficial transcript, take it with you to see what can or can't be transferred. Get an idea of how many classes you will need to be accepted onto the program. If you work, consider taking online classes to fulfill you pre-reqs.

    Good luck!!!!!!

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    You might also consider becoming an LPN/LVN. Shorter time-frame, fewer pre-requisites, less competition for seats.

    But first, before ANY of the above, have you spent a day shadowing a nurse? As in 'if they don't sit/ pee/ eat then neither do you ' for 12 hours? Because you really need to understand what the work entails before you go upending your current lifestyle in pursuit of something you may not be well-suited for.

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    That's another great suggestion! Shadowing a nurse for a full shift to see what it entails: the smells, the sights, the emotional stress etc..!

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    • Author

    Thank you so much for your advice! I live in GA I do not even know if an ADN option is available. I will have to look into that. I think my next move is to contact the local community college and see if I can get an appointment with an advisor.

    I really appreciate your help!

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    Thank you so much for your advice! I live in GA I do not even know if an ADN option is available. I will have to look into that. I think my next move is to contact the local community college and see if I can get an appointment with an advisor.

    I really appreciate your help!

    The ADN is definitely going to be available. I checked out a random CC:

    Areas of Study

    and they had an ADN......check the CC close to you and get a feel for what they offer. Call the advisement, go in and speak to someone!

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    • Author

    I have not shadowed recently but I volunteered when I was in college and also worked as a surgical assistant for a periodontist for years. I know they are hardly the same thing, but my heart is really calling me to be a nurse. I appreciate the advice. I will look into seeing if I can shadow at a local hospital.

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    • Experts

    I was 45 when I finished my ADN and one of my fellow students was 51 when we graduated. My prior college courses were all taken in 1988, so the only credits that transferred were English, Algebra, Humanities, Political Science and Speech (which were degree requirements for the non-nursing portion of the ADN). I had to re-take Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Psychology, etc., since it had been longer than 5 years from course completion. It was actually a good refresher re-taking those courses and I passed them easily with an A because it all comes back to you when you start studying it.

    I will say, being in my late 40s (I'm now 47), nursing can be very taxing on your body. There are days I come home with an aching back & feet. You rarely get a chance to go pee, so you'd better have a cast-iron bladder...LOL :) However, I truly do love my job. I went back to school with the intent of becoming a nurse practitioner. I completed my BSN while working full time as an RN and now I've applied to a few NP programs. I'm currently an ICU nurse and I absolutely love it.

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