Nursing as a second Career?? HELP??

[healthfreak]

Hi, I am a 25 yr old who has her BS in Sociology and want to go back to school for nursing, I know its the right field for me. I wish I would have gone to school for it from the beginning, oh well. I guess its never too late. My questions are many, but basically, for those nurses reading this, is it looked down on in the nursing profession or is it a bad idea to only go for my Associates in Nursing to become a RN? I don't want to go back to school for 4 years, and want to go to a 2 year nursing program, but bc I already have a soc. degree, I hope that will help. Are there any of you out there with your ASN and not your BSN? what are your thoughts? Plus, is there anyone who went back to school after working and chose nursing as a second career, if so, was it hard and are you glad you did it? Please help, I'm confused, but know that Nursing is for me, I just know it.

[2ndCareerRN]

Please help, I'm confused, but know that Nursing is for me, I just know it.

First of all, welcome to the board.

You seem to know what it is you want to do, which is nursing. A BSN is not that important, unless you have aspirations of graduate school, or want to move into management. Which in your case may be moot, you already have a bachelors degree, just not in nursing.

Many people have a ADN, and not a BSN. There are also many nurses who have gone through a diploma program to become an RN, none of them are any better or worse at training you to be a nurse. It is what you do after becoming a nurse that defines you, and your abilities.

I returned to school about 24 years after I was requested to leave my high school and given the opportunity to serve my country (long story). I found going back to school one of the best experiences of my life. I found out I knew quite a bit already, having been in the medical field as an EMT since I retired from my first job, so it was not very hard for me. But, it was not a cakewalk either. My only complaint with nursing to this point is the reluctance of nurse managers to hire men into L&D (labor and delivery). If I look hard enough I am sure I will be able to find a L&D position, but for now I am quite happy in the Emergency Dept.

The best thing you could do is go to the colleges and universities in your area and talk to them about the different programs. Whatever you do, I wish you luck.

bob

[healthfreak]

Thank you for your information. I've found some schools in my area that offer the ASN degree program. I wasn't sure if it was any better once i was in the field not to have a BSN. Thank you for answering my question. I really appreciate it.