Please help me choose a direction in nursing

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Hi There,

I need some advice from those of you who have been in the field of nursing and know what it entails. I am a 31-year-old female; newly engaged. I am i the process of changing careers from business to healthcare. I know that there are a multitute of areas in the medical field that you can enter into, but I do know that nursing is the career for me. I am JUST starting my pre-requisites this semester, taking Chemistry and Human Anatomy. After that I will need three additional pre-requisite classes out of the way before I can enter into some sort of nursing program. Issue? Well, I was looking into an accelerated BSN Program, since I already have my bachelor's degree. I know that this program will be intense and that I will not be able to work or do much of anything until it has been completed. It will basically be eat, sleep, workout and classes. I did very well in school for my bachelors, but now that I am older and have been out of school for eight years, I am hesitant about my ability to excel in a program this intense. I am also thinking ahead to the future, starting a family, and how this will fold into my plans. So, I am conflicted. I know in my heart that nursing is the career for me and I want out of business 100%. So that decision has already been made; however, I am not sure of the most appropriate path to take. Initially, I thought that I could just get a Medical Assisting Job or get my Associates Degree so I can atleast enter the field quicker and get my bachelor's degree later, if I wish. BUT I am not sure if that is wishful thinking and if I will have the time or desire to go back to school after I have a child. I have been told that being an LVN can limit you vs. being an RN. There are so many routes that I can take, but I just don't know which one is the right path for me. Does anyone have any experience with the issue I am dealing with or can possibly share your personal stories so I may have a clearer path in mind? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Jacqueline

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Specializes in Medical Surgical & Nursing Manaagement.

Do your research before entering into an Associates Degree Nursing Program. My institution as well as many others in my area are not hiring AS RNs. I've read that NYS is doing away with allowing AS prepared nurses to sit for the NCLEX. I, too, went to nursing school as a change of career and was probably one of the oldest in my graduating class, but I surprised many graduating top in my class, delivering the graduation speech and receiving the Nursing Dept Excellence Award. Go ahead..........jump in you can do it!!!!

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Most people apply to all of the nearby nursing programs and go with the program that accepts them or that accepts them first. This kind of an approach is pretty much necessitated by the competitive nature of nursing school admissions due to overcrowding of applicants. It is desirable to start at the BSN level but you can always go to an RN to BSN program if you start out with an ASN. If an entry level MSN program is feasible, you might want to do that and kill several birds with your first stone. Depends on what is available to you as choices when the time comes to choose. Good luck.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Agree with Caliotter.

Finish your pre-reqs getting the higest GPA you can in them and then apply to as many nursing schools as you can.

Cast a wide net as it is very competive to get into a nursing school

It took me 3 years of applying to schools to finally get in, I applied to both ASN and BSN programs.

I got into a ASN program and graduated and while it is true in my area it is BSN preferred for jobs, as long as the economy stays this way it will be as there are 100 applicants for every job, the employers can be picky, however

I have had 2 interivews and several firends have gotten hired.

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Specializes in Emergency.

If you already have a bachelors degree I would suggest saving time and money by going to an associates program. You will end up an RN and you will also get a lot more clinical experience. Then you can do an RN to MSN program for those with a bachelors in other subjects. This is what I did and now I have a masters in Nursing (Pediatric NP) and didnt have to spend the time or money to get another bachelors degree in the process.

Good Luck in your studies, whichever path you decide on.

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Thank you all for your responses! Very helpful to me!

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If you already have a bachelors degree I would suggest saving time and money by going to an associates program. You will end up an RN and you will also get a lot more clinical experience. Then you can do an RN to MSN program for those with a bachelors in other subjects. This is what I did and now I have a masters in Nursing (Pediatric NP) and didnt have to spend the time or money to get another bachelors degree in the process.

Good Luck in your studies, whichever path you decide on.

I would love to hear how an ADN has more clinical hours than a BSN. In my school there is zero difference, nada.

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Others have given good advice...I'm in a similar situation, switching from journalism to nursing. I'm starting a traditional BSN program this fall. It took me just over a year to complete my pre-reqs. If your bio clock is ticking...you will have to consider that. Depending on what your family/support system is like, is it possible to start trying for a family now while you're in your pre-reqs? By the time you do finish and get accepted into a program, you could be a few more years down the line depending on how competitive the programs are in your area.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
I would love to hear how an ADN has more clinical hours than a BSN. In my school there is zero difference, nada.

Generally, not every school, but generally community colleges tend to have more clinical hours than BSN programs. In my program we had 600+ clinical hours plus all of the hours in the lab

All school still have to meet the clinical hours laid out by that states board of nursing. Most nursing programs are 2 yrs and the BSN programs have more community nursing and leadership and managment classes while ASN programs are not as heavy in those areas they usually have more lab and clinical hours.

When I got into my ASN program my manager was thrilled as she said the ASN nurses are usually better prepared skills wise once the hit the floor, and this is a hospital with a BSN program

One of my nursing school instructors went to one of the BSN programs in my area and said that they did not get as much clinical and lab time as this particular ASN program offered, she also said that after working 6 months it did not matter who had more clinical hours because of the expereince

In the end we all sit for the same NCLEX,

Again not every school is the same, and they are all competitve programs to get in to

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Specializes in Critical Care, Neuro, Cardiac, Step Down.

My advice, do the Accelerated BSN. A lot of work absolutely but you'll be out just as quick as with an ADN plus be more marketable. I feel your pain!! My fiancee and I are pursuing our MSN together while wedding planning, AHHH. Best of luck with all!!

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Specializes in ICU-MICU & SICU.

I believe it to be in your best interest to apply and go wherever you get in. Your first priority is to be a practicing nurse, the fancy degree doesn't matter. You can later focus on the degree you want. Although you have an excellent pathway available to you. Either an accelerated BSN or MSN program. I personally got my Associates then my BSN. Don't dismiss ASN programs because most schools now have like a 1 year fast track to your BSN. It took 4 semesters to get my BSN.

I would apply to both BSN and MSN programs. In the accelerated MSN program you do not have to complete them to get your RN license. I know many nurses who get to take their NCLEX examination to get their license halfway through the program. Nursing School is very competitive and it's hard to get in so go where you get in.

Also, a note, I see you're a transitioning from a non-health related field. Many including myself had no clue what I was getting into when I choose nursing. I love nursing but was in total shock when I got out of school into the "real world" of nursing. I would suggest going to your closest hospital and ask to shadow a RN for a couple days. Just make sure it's what you want to do because there is a lot of hard work along the way for you. Especially if you don't like it when you have finished your degree.

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I am a Long Term Care LPN. LPN jobs are limited, I agree, but if you get into a long term care facility, you will pretty much be doing the same work as an RN, so why not get your RN and get paid fairly for what you do. I have found that my "scope of practice" tends to be more dependent on the facility's policy than anything else. At my facility LPN's do everything except hang blood. The experience is wonderful, and jobs for LPN's are very much limited outside of LTC. It may seem like a long road ahead of you, but go for your RN, and good luck.

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