Need help in the worst way

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Hi guys! Totally new to this site and the field of nursing. I'm currently 28 and have no family or many ppl around to help so hopefully someone here can.

I ended up dropping out of HS so I didn't get my dipolma,however I only have math left to pass and I'll have my ged. Always wanted to work in mental health field,but not sure how...now I've realized I want to do nursing! The ultimate goal is to be a mental health NP! So Either this November 16 or Jan 17,I plan to enroll into school. My dilemma...

someone one suggested going get a general studies degree to get my core classes out of the way,but I'm thinking that makes no sense?

Also if the goal is to be a NP,does it even make sense to get my ASN? Just go for the BSN? I was thinking of doing ASN to gain some experience while getting my BSN. I'm sorry if it sounds "dumb" or something,but I really don't have much help from others. I appreciate any feedback. :-)

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Well you definitely need that GED, so get on that right away!

you could then enroll to a local community college and get your general eds finished. Either enroll undeclared and take the classes the program needs or you can enroll pre-nursing. Not sure it makes all that much difference.

You could get your CNA and gain experience by working in the health field that way. That's what I am doing - I'm also 1 month old new to the health field and I've been working at a long term care facility. It's been a great experience so far.

A BSN is the way to go for the nursing field. I don't think it's impossible to get a job having your ASN but I've heard it's more difficult. You'd be competing for jobs with people who do have their bsn.

Good of luck to you! Hopefully this is somewhat helpful. :)

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First things first, complete your GED. Next you'll need to find a school and figure out what the Pre-reqs are. Then take it from there

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Specializes in Emergency.

Nothing happens without that GED.

So, a buddy of mine dropped out of hs, knocked around doing dead end jobs for a while, then in his mid 20's decided enough was enough. He got his ged, then college, then law school, now an extremely successful attorney. Go for it.

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Cool! Thanks everyone for replying. I currently work in a mental hospital as a tech so I'm somewhat in the door.

Appreciate all the feedback.

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I agree get that GED. Then talk to your local schools. DO research into the schools. Not all schools are the same and some will deceive you and end up costing you a lot of $$$$ with little return.

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Really? Can you explain?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

First of all - your plan is entirely do-able. I know 2 Chief Nursing Officers that were both HS dropouts due to difficult personal circumstances ... they began with GEDs. Both have MSNs - one also has a DNSc. Anything is possible.

PP is advising you to choose a traditional nursing program rather than a commercial (investor-owned) school. Commercial school have glitzy marketing programs (Lots of TV Commercials)and have very high tuition rates. They have been known to use "bait and switch" to lure students with promises of quick success, easy money, etc... tying them up in private loans very quickly. Many commercial schools are not eligible to participate in Federal Student Loans because they are deemed "high risk" by the Department of Education criteria.

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Thank you! I'm embarrassed to tell ppl about me having a GED,but seems like I'm not alone! I'll definitely research schools!

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Thank you! I'm embarrassed to tell ppl about me having a GED,but seems like I'm not alone! I'll definitely research schools!

Don't be embarassed. I have a GED and just got accepted into nursing school.

It doesn't matter how you get your education, what matters is you have it. And that opens alot of doors for you.

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I don't have much familial support either and my living situation is very rocky. I'm 2 months away from finding out if I got in to my schools ASN program. Long term goal is be a pediatric nurse practitioner but getting an associate's in nursing is the fastest way to get into the workforce and be able to work in the field while advancing in it. It depends where you live as well...I personally know three girls who all got on with hospitals as new grads within a month of passing NCLEX and they all have an associate's. My area truly has a nursing shortage so it doesnt have the time to be picky over who has what degree. It just needs nurses. I don't think it's dumb at all to obtain an ASN and then work your way up higher. Some people like myself don't have the time to go to a traditional 4 year university and they need money now to establish themselves so that they CAN climb up that ladder. Good for you, get your GED first and then go from there. I am amazed at how quickly time is passing through this journey. It flies.

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