Need help, Sumner college jumpstart or career killer?

[tinaefox]

Hi everyone, I'm a 42 year old mid life career change wanna be nurse. I had a successful career in Real Estate for the past 17 years but I've never attended college until this fall term when I began the first of my prerequisite courses at my local CC. I have approximately 3 years of prereq's until I can apply for their nursing program which I know accepts about 10% of it's applicants/year. Once I gain admission, I'll have two years of their nursing program then a third year (with non-competitive) admission to the local health & sciences University for my BSN. I recently realized there's a for profit college (Sumner) in my area where I can get everything done (for significantly more money, I know but I'm ok with that part) and be an RN in two years. It is a nationally accredited school and is approved for their RN program through the OR state board of nursing. They show excellent graduation, NCLEX pass & placement rates. They have "Partnership Agreements" with universities some local/some national where I can get my BSN online.

My 7-10 year goal is to become a travel nurse, at this time I'd love to specialize in L&D or oncology but I'm open to new experiences/paths once in school. I know a nationally accredited for profit school isn't the BEST path, but I'm asking if it can be overcome with hard work, networking and paying for/obtaining specialty certifications on my own after passing the NCLEX.

If I stay the path of CC in my area, I could easily be 8-10 years from my BSN. I am more than willing to relocate for work after my youngest graduates high school (in 7 years) and I'm willing to put in years at an RN position that's not my "ideal" just to gain experience and references. I'm also getting my CNA2 next term to get hospital experience before beginning nursing school, wherever I end up enrolled.

My question for you guys with experience is this, can I work hard enough to overcome a degree from this college? Or am I setting myself up to only be able to secure employment in LTC facilities?

Help?!? Thanks A BUNCH in advance for your assistance!!

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

You will find people that have been successful after graduating from any number of programs. For-profit programs, direct entry programs, CC programs, all have advantages and drawbacks but there have been very few accredited programs that I know of that have been a blanket "career killer". You can be successful in many situations, good luck to you!

[caliotter3]

Obtain the degree, then the license, and you will be in a position to obtain nursing employment somewhere, sometime. How you obtain that degree is up to your discretion and your pocketbook, but in the end, all roads lead to the same NCLEX.

[tinaefox]

Thank you both for taking the time to reply! It makes me feel better to know that if I do chose that option that it will be something that I can work from. I'd read a lot about the issues with attending a for profit schools not having strong enough clinicals, or hiring departments tossing your resume if they didn't like your school, but I hope that by working hard as a CNA2 and making good contacts in the hospital I can make a good enough impression to overcome those obstacles.