Nursing - my future 2nd career

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Hi everyone,

I currently hold a B.A. in English and Journalism and have decided to make the switch to Nursing for a variety of reasons. I have applied to EKU ADN program here in Kentucky (the accelerated option I believe to be too demanding b/c I don't have the reqs completed yet and I want to raise my GPA b4 doing BSN) I am a 24 y.o. single mom who was hitting a wall career-wise. I pretty much have 2 options with my current degree: teach or...hmmm yeah teach. lol At the center of all I love to do is help people. I have worked in skincare and cosmetics since I was 19 and finally figured out that's where I belong. I'm great at what I do and even have my own freelance makeup company, but it's not enough both career -wise and financially.

My mom has been involved in the medical field for about 20 years now (most of my life- she is a CMA, CNA and former medical transcriptionist). She is the one who inspired me to take a 2nd/3rd/4th look at nursing. I realized that it's not all about starting IVs and giving babies shots lol - you build relationships with people, u impact their everyday lives and you get new experiences every day! Also there is critical thinking involved and the ability to make quick and educated decisions on behalf of someone else.

I would love to work in a derm office, in bariatrics or in plastic surgery. The past years I have been working in services that enhance your appearance and now I'm so excited to better understand the technical things that go behind it and explore more about our bodies.

I totally seem like the most unlikely candidate, but I am dedicated to helping, learning and being the best Nurse I can be. Just wanted to post an intro and get some thoughts/ideas/suggestions from anyone who has made nursing their 2nd/3rd career and why?

Thanks

C

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I dont have advice or suggestions. I just wanted to let you know I am right there with you. I have a BA degree in English. My intention was to continue on with my Master's and teach Special education. I have a soft spot for people with intellectual and physical disabilities and my desire to work with them hasnt changed, but I realized I don't want to be a teacher, I want to be a nurse. It was my first plan anyway, but I got scared it would be too hard, so I changed majors. I really, really regret it.

I listened to too many friends telling me how hard it was, how gross it was, how underappreciated I would be, etc.

Its the same way with teaching. Jobs are scarce for teachers, coworkers backstab, theres mounds of paperwork. Responsibibily is much higher as a nurse, but I am ready for the challenge. In my area, jobs are not scarce for Nurses, so it really has to be regional.

I applied to 3 schools, but I didnt do my research before hand, and I didnt know there were prereqs. I assumed since I already had a degree, it would help me get in, but apparently the 3 schools I applied to all require A&P, which I never took. So I likely will not get in this year.

My back up plan was to apply as a Occupational Therapy Assistant program, which I will likely get into, do that and see if I like it..if I still want to be a nurse, I can try to apply for nursing the following year, and my prereqs will have been met plus Ill already be enrolled in the school I want to go to.

I have a plan C. My last plan is to take the CNA course here, and work as a CNA all year, while taking the 2 or 3 prereq classes I need throughout the year, and apply for nursing school next year. My husband says that this plan should actually be plan B and plan B should be plan C.

I wish you the best of luck. I am very stressed and nervous because I feel like I wasted a lot of time going to school for the wrong thing. I am 35 now, with kids and I feel like I am getting too old for starting all over again :(

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You probably won't be accepted into a program until you have the prereqs done. I'm takingprereqs at community college before planning to apply to an accelerated BSN program. Just make sure the classes will transfer. The community college is great because a lot of the classes are online or in the evening. Most of my classmates are future nurses and doctors.

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My dad was the most unlikely candidate that I know to go into nursing (pig headed, a woman in the kitchen kind of guy, doesn't take orders well, avoided human interactions). But my stepmom is an RN and she kept bugging him to become an RN. He did it, hated it, stayed at his job as a computer programmer. Flash forward to the bomb of the economy and going into nursing was no longer a choice, but the only option for him. He pretty much had to change his entire world view, his attitude, and realize that a kid half his age is going to tell him what to do. Since he went into the profession about 15 years after getting his BSN, he basically had to relearn everything on the job. Those were some tough times for him but he managed to suck it up and learn what he had to and more. I never could see him being a nurse before but when I talk to him now about my own path into nursing, I see how much he really loves it and I can't imagine anything else for him.

For as long as you are in generally good health, I don't think there's such a thing as too old to go into nursing. I have students in my prereq classes in their 50s. My dad was in his late 40s when he started. I have parents of friends who are also in their 50s and just graduated from RN programs.

You just have to persevere and keep at it.

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I dont have advice or suggestions. I just wanted to let you know I am right there with you. I have a BA degree in English. My intention was to continue on with my Master's and teach Special education. I have a soft spot for people with intellectual and physical disabilities and my desire to work with them hasnt changed, but I realized I don't want to be a teacher, I want to be a nurse. It was my first plan anyway, but I got scared it would be too hard, so I changed majors. I really, really regret it.

I listened to too many friends telling me how hard it was, how gross it was, how underappreciated I would be, etc.

Its the same way with teaching. Jobs are scarce for teachers, coworkers backstab, theres mounds of paperwork. Responsibibily is much higher as a nurse, but I am ready for the challenge. In my area, jobs are not scarce for Nurses, so it really has to be regional.

I applied to 3 schools, but I didnt do my research before hand, and I didnt know there were prereqs. I assumed since I already had a degree, it would help me get in, but apparently the 3 schools I applied to all require A&P, which I never took. So I likely will not get in this year.

My back up plan was to apply as a Occupational Therapy Assistant program, which I will likely get into, do that and see if I like it..if I still want to be a nurse, I can try to apply for nursing the following year, and my prereqs will have been met plus Ill already be enrolled in the school I want to go to.

I have a plan C. My last plan is to take the CNA course here, and work as a CNA all year, while taking the 2 or 3 prereq classes I need throughout the year, and apply for nursing school next year. My husband says that this plan should actually be plan B and plan B should be plan C.

I wish you the best of luck. I am very stressed and nervous because I feel like I wasted a lot of time going to school for the wrong thing. I am 35 now, with kids and I feel like I am getting too old for starting all over again :(

thanks for the post! :) It's never too late my mom graduated in 2010 like I did with her B.A. (she was turning 51 later that year). She is now pursuing her BSN FINALLY and I'm telling you even though she is older, she still has the drive and passion. My Mom has really made me appreciate and value nurses and all health care professionals. I know from what I've seen from her what it is like to truly LOVE ur job and ur patients. That is what I am looking forward to. The emotional rewards. There will be bad times and not so great situations but I am hoping that the good outweighs it. See if u can take some prereqs at a smaller school and then reapply :) Let me know how it goes!

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My dad was the most unlikely candidate that I know to go into nursing (pig headed, a woman in the kitchen kind of guy, doesn't take orders well, avoided human interactions). But my stepmom is an RN and she kept bugging him to become an RN. He did it, hated it, stayed at his job as a computer programmer. Flash forward to the bomb of the economy and going into nursing was no longer a choice, but the only option for him. He pretty much had to change his entire world view, his attitude, and realize that a kid half his age is going to tell him what to do. Since he went into the profession about 15 years after getting his BSN, he basically had to relearn everything on the job. Those were some tough times for him but he managed to suck it up and learn what he had to and more. I never could see him being a nurse before but when I talk to him now about my own path into nursing, I see how much he really loves it and I can't imagine anything else for him.

For as long as you are in generally good health, I don't think there's such a thing as too old to go into nursing. I have students in my prereq classes in their 50s. My dad was in his late 40s when he started. I have parents of friends who are also in their 50s and just graduated from RN programs.

You just have to persevere and keep at it.

ur right! You are never too old to learn or do something new! My mom will be a nurse in her mid 50s by the time she finishes! :) But she's my inspiration and some of the great nurses I had during my OB visits and who helped take care of me after the birth of my son.

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I also have a BA in English and am currently teaching 8th grade English/Literature. I like it, but for a plethora of reasons, I have decided to go back to school to become a nurse. Sorry that I have no advice, but sometimes it is nice to know you aren't alone!

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awesome thanks for sharing! ?I'm very excited to begin this new journey. I want to finally feel I have a purpose in my every day work as well as decent pay and benefits to live and take care of my son :). Please keep me updated on ur admissions and classes etc. I'm starting my pre reqs this summer and applying for the Jan 2013 semester

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I am 38 and just starting my pre-reqs to hopefully start nursing school in a year or two. I have a BA in Communications. I've worked in the corporate world and just found it boring and unfulfilling. I don't need to save the world but I would like to have a career where I feel I make a difference in people's lives. I know it will be difficult, mostly financially, but I'm trying to just take 1 thing at a time.

Make sure you look into all of your options. One ABSN program I looked at, I would need 11 pre-reqs. Another, I just needed 5.

Best of luck to you!

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I have a BA in psychology, a Masters in Social Work, and I'm a certified special education teacher. Teaching became my career when I moved from my hometown when I could not find a job as a social worker. I love working with children but not in this setting. I've always wanted to become a nurse but things happened that stood in my way. Now I'm married with a family and am ready to go to nursing school. I completed all of the pre-reqs a few years ago so I applied for Fall semester. Hopefully I will get in. Good luck!

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Good luck Lola34!!!!

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I agree with you. I am 41 with 3 kids and really do not want to start over. This site has helped me to explore many options.

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