Switching to nursing as second career

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 2, 2018

Hi!
I'm a nontraditional undergrad student (25) finishing up my English degree this fall. I used to work in marketing and am interested in switching to a nursing career.

Nothing wrong with that--I didn't enter nursing until my 30s.

I see myself continuing my education in nursing once I start -- I'm hoping to ultimately go into advanced practice nursing or become an FNP.
There seem to be so many entrances to the nursing profession, I'm not sure where to start.
Do I get trained as an LPN and start working while taking the other classes I need to apply for nursing programs? Or do I take a job I have experience in (marketing/customer experience) and get a higher salary to save up? Do I go for an ABSN? Or Direct-entry MSN?

There are a few factors to consider here.

1. Your ultimate goal, which appears to be APRN or FNP. Being a LVN/LPN is not necessary to achieve either of those goals. In addition, you don't need to be a LPN even to become a RN period. Unless you have a pressing financial and/or personal need to start working as a nurse, you can skip the LPN.

2. Finances. ABSN and direct-entry MSN programs are not cheap. If you don't have the funds on hand, you'll have to take out loans...and I'll be honest: nursing is not the cash cow that people think it is. It pays less than you think, it's not as easy to get a job as you think. Some new grads get jobs right away, but typically it takes a few months for a new grad to land that first position. Some new grads have even taken more than a year. Who knows how long it'll take you? The point being, while you're looking for that first job, you can only defer your student loans for so long.

Other ways to become a RN are a traditional BSN program, an ADN program (which is about 2 years) or a diploma program (probably about 2 years). All of these let you get licensed as a RN and can be more cost-effective than a ABSN/direct-entry MSN. They will also let you progress to the next level of education (FYI, if you decide to get the ADN/Diploma, you can often skip the BSN and go right into an RN-MSN program).

3. Time. Are you looking to reach APRN/FNP as fast as possible? Or do you want to try out nursing first and see what you think about it? Nursing in real life is far different than nursing as seen on TV or the idolized vision of nursing that some people have.

If you want to go APRN/FNP as fast as possible, then it'd make more sense to the ABSN or direct-entry MSN. If you want to start off and see what nursing is like, go for a regular BSN or even ADN or diploma program.

If you do choose to work as a LPN, it will provide you with experience working as a nurse. Doing this will let you try out nursing with the least cost/time investment in your education. You may find that you enjoy nursing very much and want to go ahead with the RN/APRN/FNP. Or you may find your illusions were very much different from the reality and decide nursing isn't for you.

Or you might find yourself being perfectly happy as a LPN...and there's nothing wrong with that either. No where does it say that LPNs must become RNs--being a LPN can be a very satisifying end in itself.

At a local teaching hospital, they are doing an LPN training program. Would it be helpful to have experience as an LPN when applying for nursing programs?

Prelicensure RN programs are far more interested in the grades on your pre-req courses than whether you have LPN experience.

Something to note: My boyfriend and I just moved to Hanover, NH (pretty rural) for his grad school. Options for affordable/nearby nursing programs in my area is very limited. I can take the pre-reqs I need at a community college for a decent price, but beyond pre-reqs...I'm kinda out of luck. I looked into Emory's distance ABSN program, which looks interesting...but also kinda risky.
We will be leaving NH in a little under 2 years, so I could just go to nursing school once he graduates.

Since pre-licensure RN nursing programs require clinical hours, there are few prelicensure RN programs that are distance/online. Those that do exist would require you to complete your clinical hours locally, and they may or may not offer assistance in setting up clinical placements for you.

IMO, I'd do the prereqs now--and FYI, completing them is going to take a lot longer than you think it will--and wait until you relocate to start a nursing program.

Sorry for the jumble of questions! I'm eager to switch gears. :)
Thanks for any advice!

No worries, that's what we're here for :)