Possible career change, wasting my time?

[Kelly728]

I'm probably beating a dead horse in this forum, but I am hoping just writing out my situation will provide me with a bit of clarity (or just make me more confused. Heh.) Warning: This is a novel

I currently work as a grant program administrator in a hospital. I have my M.S. in Health Administration/Health Education and I am a CHES. I've wanted to go into a clinical field since the start of college but due to some (stupidity) on my part I did not complete all the prerequisites. Now at 25 I find myself stuck behind a desk all day working on data collection, grant applications, and budgets. I have zero motivation in my current job and most days I walk out of their completely miserable. I'm usually a happy person but now I can't even say that.

I have been considering Nursing for a while now and finally took the plunge this week to register for some of the prerequisites. I am taking Developmental Psyc in the Winter and Microbio in the Spring at the local CC. I've already completed A&P, Stats, Bio, and Nutrition back in undergrad. My grades in the sciences were decent, but not a 4.0. A- Anatomy, B- in Physio and Intro Bio. I plan on busting my rear to get As in the remaining classes.

The nursing advisor at the CC said I would be ready to apply for the evening ADN program for Fall enrollment. Part of me thinks this is the logical thing to do because I could work full-time during the program and remain in my living situation. Then I would be stuck trying to figure out how to complete RN-BSN later.

The rest of me knows I should apply for BSN programs. My hospital doesn't hire non-BSN RNs but I'll also be quitting my job there, so who knows if they'd hire me back. Going to a BSN program would require taking out another $$$$$ in school loans and moving back in with my parents (Uh, Yikes!). It also means waiting another semester to apply since I'd need to take Chem.

THEN I see all these panic threads about how no new grads are finding nursing positions. Is this just because they are only focusing on one area of health care or am I really just setting myself up for disaster?? I'll be quitting a job, going to school for 2 years, and take the risk on coming out with nothing. Is that even worth it?!??! What if I can't get accepted to the programs I apply for?? I can only apply to 2 because one is WAY to costly and the other in the area requires more recent science courses.

Congrats on reading this far. Incase you were wondering.. Yes, I am even more confused now.

[Marisette, BSN, RN]

sounds like your on your way. Don't quit now, and don't get discouraged, IF this is what you truly want and are very unhappy in your present job situation. You are young and the best time for change is Now. I'm an older nurse, been doing this 25 years, and Yes getting jobs can be challenging in the current job market even to those of us with some experience. Like any career, your "employability" will depend on numerous factors: city and state, experience (even if it's not nursing), Personality (employer may think your just the right fit), Flexebility ( the night shift may not sound bad to you) and so on. When I went into nursing many years ago, it was kinda what women did and the education I could afford, but it was not my passion, so I don't love it. BUT if this is your dream, desire and passion and you have the time, you will find a job and happiness is worth fighting for.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

I changed career in my mid 20's: spouse, mortgage, 2 kids, etc It's certainly doable.

Does your institution have tuition reimbursement?

I'd suggest looking into the BSN programs and see what pre-reqs & co-reqs you may be able to get out of the way ahead of time, just leaving the theory & clinical courses left to take. That way you may prolong your employment while scoring some reimbursement.

[Kelly728]

Unfortunately the only way I would get reimbursement through my current place of employment is if it were an RN-BSN. That is the motivation for paying for the ADN myself and doing the RN-BSN later, counting on them covering most of my tuition. My hesitation on that route is that I work in a grant funded position that could end before I reach that point.

The only pre-reqs I have remaining for the BSN program is developmental psy, microbio, and chem.

[Kelly728]

Well that just threw a wrench in it...

My hospital will pay for the ADN, they just won't hire me as a nurse after. It is so tempting to take advantage of the free education but I'm worried I'll have no hope of gaining employment. I won't be able to work as a CNA (to gain clinical skills) while completing the ADN part-time and working full time. Plus I'll have to remain at my current hospital 6 months after I complete the ADN.