Nursing as a second career...am I doomed

amoslieber · Nov 30, 2009

I know close to nothing about the career as I am switching myself, but you could easily overcome your low GPA by taking community college courses to raise it. in fact, I am considering getting an RN since it will allow me to become a nurse quicker than going to a one year BSN with a 14 month wait list. Maybe that option would be best for you. You can start taking classes immediately, get into an RN program, and then when you are ready apply to a BSN program. If you get your RN first you can even work while you get your BSN online.

just a thought since that's what I am considering.

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Nov 30, 2009

The degree you currently hold, is it an Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree?

CuriousMe · Nov 30, 2009

I would investigate the local programs your considering, and find out the following information:

--what are the prerequisites they require for their program (I'd make sure to look at community college programs, local BSN programs and accelerated BSN programs to make sure you understand all your choices).

--How many of those are classes you've actually taken? (I'm thinking you didn't need a full year of human anatomy & physiology for a business degree?)

--Find out how the school looks at re-taking classes (some schools average the two grades, some just take the last grade, some let you choose which grade and some only look at the first grade you get)

--Decide which classes you don't have at all and need to take, and which it might help to retake then make a plan to take what you need.

Peace,

CuriousMe

iPink, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2009

I know close to nothing about the career as I am switching myself, but you could easily overcome your low GPA by taking community college courses to raise it. in fact, I am considering getting an RN since it will allow me to become a nurse quicker than going to a one year BSN with a 14 month wait list. Maybe that option would be best for you. You can start taking classes immediately, get into an RN program, and then when you are ready apply to a BSN program. If you get your RN first you can even work while you get your BSN online.
just a thought since that's what I am considering.

You seem a bit confused between an RN and a BSN. Some with a BSN or an ADN who passed their NCLEX-RN is still an RN. RN and BSN are one in the same, as long as they passed their NCLEX exam to be called an RN. BSN is just another degree level. So, with that clarified, I'm assuming you are advising him to go for an ADN program then later to the BSN.

If so, I would disagree. I also spent 3 years on my job right after college before making the decision to switch my career. I'm going for an Accelerated BSN, which is about 15 months. The reason why I advise him to go that route is if he wants to go further into nursing, an ADN would hinder him. Accelerated BSN programs are offered only to students who already hold a non-nursing college degree (which he has). Plus ADN programs last 2 years and some have long waiting lists. So, it can possibly be 3 years to obtain that degree.

Since your college GPA is low, don't hesitate to look at online nursing programs that have lower GPA requirements. Don't give up.

webmansx, ASN, RN · Nov 30, 2009

why are you making the switch to nursing? just wondering... :rolleyes:

Blackheartednurse · Nov 30, 2009

why are you making the switch to nursing? just wondering...

He wrote a whole paragraph about it.He said that despite working with finances he doesnt find it rewarding,It is understandable..People decide to go into nursing for many reasons. I assumed he is burned out by bussiness envinronment and have discovered other interest than finances..Plus he did mentions he volunters for a charity,maybe he had a change of heart..good for him

amoslieber · Nov 30, 2009

You seem a bit confused between an RN and a BSN. Some with a BSN or an ADN who passed their NCLEX-RN is still an RN. RN and BSN are one in the same, as long as they passed their NCLEX exam to be called an RN. BSN is just another degree level. So, with that clarified, I'm assuming you are advising him to go for an ADN program then later to the BSN.
If so, I would disagree. I also spent 3 years on my job right after college before making the decision to switch my career. I'm going for an Accelerated BSN, which is about 15 months. The reason why I advise him to go that route is if he wants to go further into nursing, an ADN would hinder him. Accelerated BSN programs are offered only to students who already hold a non-nursing college degree (which he has). Plus ADN programs last 2 years and some have long waiting lists. So, it can possibly be 3 years to obtain that degree.
Since your college GPA is low, don't hesitate to look at online nursing programs that have lower GPA requirements. Don't give up.

You are correct. I was incorrectly under the impression that the RN was the associate degree and that the BSN was the bachelors degree. However, the community college I am looking at allows you to take the R.N. licensure exam after getting the associates, so I am still a bit confused. In either case I was advising he begin a community college program and then when the GPA met the correct requirements, that he transfer into a BSN with or without completing the community college degree. Its interesting to hear that the ADN will limit long-term potential though. Do you think it would even if he intended to get a BSN afterwords? Again, I am talking from relative ignorance since I have not done either.

cmbrown06 · Nov 30, 2009

I was in the same boat. I have a Bachelors Degree in Health Science.I decided my junior year of college, though, I really wanted to become a nurse but I was too far into the program to stop. I couldn't find a job in my profession and then I moved 4 hours away from home. I began looking at the community colleges and noticed that I only needed 3 more classes in order to get into the nursing program since majority of the classes I took at my previous college transferred. So, Please don't get discouraged nor give up. There are some really great programs out there. Best wishes!

CuriousMe · Nov 30, 2009

You are correct. I was incorrectly under the impression that the RN was the associate degree and that the BSN was the bachelors degree. However, the community college I am looking at allows you to take the R.N. licensure exam after getting the associates, so I am still a bit confused. In either case I was advising he begin a community college program and then when the GPA met the correct requirements, that he transfer into a BSN with or without completing the community college degree. Its interesting to hear that the ADN will limit long-term potential though. Do you think it would even if he intended to get a BSN afterwords? Again, I am talking from relative ignorance since I have not done either.

It would likely be difficult to "transfer" from a community college program to a BSN program. Nursing coursework doesn't always transfer well. The courses just aren't always standardized, so while everyone covers the same material...for the most part....it might be organized differently.

What a lot of folks do though is to take their prereqs at the community college and then apply to whatever programs they're interested in (ADN or BSN).

Most of the RN workforce currently has an ADN. While it's true that many hospitals seem to prefer hiring BSN new grads....I think that's a regional thing, so you should look in the want ads in your area to see what hospitals are looking for by you.

I'm in a BS program and personally, I like the multiple aspects of nursing (school based nursing, hospice nursing, public health, planned parenthood, wound clinics, etc) that we're exposed to in addition to our hospital experience. I think that community nursing aspect is one of the differences between an ADN and BSN.

Bonnie Nurse · Nov 30, 2009

Go for the ADN at the college who will consider your circumstances of the past. Then, get your BSN asap, online, whatever. My institution will hardly interview ADN's, and do not pay them appropriately. You will be able to hopefully retake some courses, as well as take nursing prereq's and make good grades that will cancel those bad grades. Good luck.

Pat1usmc · Nov 30, 2009

You're going to find it hard to be accepted into an accelerated BSN program with that GPA. If this is what you really want to do, why not just apply to a 4 year program? They'll look at your high school grades and SAT scores as well.

I had a previous degree in physics with a 2.8 GPA. I wasn't meeting the requirements for any accelerated program. I'm now enrolled in a 4 year program but with my previous courses, it will only take me 3. If your school does summer courses (in nursing), it could take you even less.

Its a tough decision, I know. But you're much younger than me so it shouldn't effect you too much in the long run.

Good luck.