birdy95

My story is very similar to yours. I have kept a job for the security and had a small child. After 20 years in this (boring) career and my daughter getting to middle school, I started taking my prerequisites and have now finished them. I will take the HESI entrance exam for my school in January and then apply to nursing school next year! I also found a community college partnership that will allow me to get my Associates in Nursing and BSN at the same time. I will finish when I am 45 and look forward to a second 20 year career! I am so excited and have never been happier. One class at a time will build your confidence. Us older students tend to do better, now that we have some life experience ?

Thank you for sharing your experience @justwanttohelp12. This is good advice. The schools all try to convince you that their program is going to give you the best chance of a good job and it can be hard to prioritize taking longer vs taking out more loans vs getting CNA experience, etc.

Also, ASU has a new direct entry MSN that you many be interested in. (UofA has one in Phoenix as well).

I am in the same situation in Arizona. I was determined to do an accelerated BSN, but the cost and difficulty to enter have made me rethink. I am now aiming for the Maricopa Community Colleges' Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) which allows you to do your Associates in Nursing in their clinical program on the ground while you do your BSN online with partner universities. NAU's finishes so you get both degrees the same semester - so never have to apply for jobs without a BSN. If you are willing to relocate, it is a very affordable BSN and the cc's NCLEX pass rates are the highest in the state.

I know when I have big changes in my life it can be difficult for me to know if my "gut instinct" that is telling me to run is really because I am making the wrong decision or because I am afraid. Give yourself time to sort through the thoughts that lead to the crying and really envisioning what happens if you quit and what happens if you don't. You have gotten so far and are smart - you will find the right thing! I am changing careers in my 40's - you can always keep moving toward what you want, even if you take safe options for now.

I was a single mom for a long time and I am so grateful I had a M-F 8 to 5 job that allowed me to drop my daughter off at school and then rush to the after school care after work to get her. I always wanted to return to nursing school and so am doing prerequisites and hoping to apply next year so that I will start nursing school when she starts high school and will be more independent. I think it is worth waiting.

Congratulations! If my plan works out, I will be 44 when I graduate (in 3 years).

@CamMc Thank you for sharing this here! I agree, this would be a great option. I am going to look at it right now!

@AngUnderwood I just have one at home who is in middle school (a couple older step-children that are pretty independent now - one from a prior marriage and one from current husband). Even though my daughter is not that little anymore, I am already struggling with mommy guilty when I am studying evenings and weekends instead of taking her for bike rides, etc. But I think setting this example for her is so important. I was a single mom for 6 years until last year, and could not have dreamed of going back to school full time without my husband, so I feel really lucky to have that support. @Ventara That's awesome that we will apply at the same time! (And graduate together :). I started watching these threads in 2018 and 2021 seemed so far away, but now I am thinking about the TEAS next spring already and getting really excited.

At Phoenix College, at least for BIO201 and 202 all labs and exams are online (exams require their software with webcam). The chem class says you order a lab kit to do at home as well.

I am planning to apply for the 2021 cohort because I am still working on pre-reqs and only doing one at a time to make sure my gpa is high, while working and kids, blah blah. Anyhow, I am watching this thread to see others' experience with the application process. From looking at threads for prior years, it looks like it is getting more competitive! Thanks for starting this thread.

I have been following this thread as I decided where to do my prereqs, so just wanted to share my experience. I am just finishing BIO201 online at Phoenix College and am registered for BIO202 and CHM130 in summer/fall. The class has been hard, but I am going into the last few weeks with a strong A. I have averaged about 12 hours per week watching lectures, watching other related videos on youtube and doing assignments and tests. The advisor I emailed at PC was also super helpful to make sure my prereq plan would let me apply to maricopa, ASU and UofA programs.

Thank you so much for sharing this story! It is inspiring. I am currently working on my prerequisites for nursing school and, if I get in to the school I want, will graduate at 44. But I am thrilled to even have the possibility to do the work I have always wanted to for 20+ years after that! Good luck to you as you continue in your nursing career.

Would you mind sharing how your experience was? I am having a hard time deciding whether to do my prereqs at Rio Salado or Phoenix College. Thank you!

How did it go at Phoenix College online? I am signing up for BIO 201 there in the Spring. I also have to do it online because I work F/T and have a daughter. Thanks in advance!