Lori127, RN

Thank you so much for this! Refreshing and inspiring to read as a new grad.

Well, I just can't thank you all enough for taking the time to give me some advice! Sometimes when trying to figure out the best way to get started and the correct path, I start to feel like I'm just spinning my wheels and can't get them unstuck! So, having this source to turn to is outstanding. On mzchas advice, I found the threads where CRNA is discussed, and I can see that I definitely have a lot to think about there. So, I'm going to go into school with a very open mind and see what naturally feels like a good fit for me. I love that there are so many excellent options out there! So here's what's specifically snagging me at this time: Do you have to know the exact nursing school you will eventually apply to and take their specific prereqs? Is this what you all have done or the only real way to go? Am I crazy and gambling a little too much if I just start taking classes at the CC that I feel "most likely" will apply? I'd love opinions/feedback on how you all have addsessed this. Thanks again!!

Hi dcaradon, thank you for taking the time to respond. Collecting enough information to make these decisions is so daunting and your suggestions really helped! Oddly enough, I'm also considering a CRNA program as my end goal. I've had several people suggest this field to me and it sounds like a great move. To help me in my decision, can I ask what appealed to you about it most? Also, is it difficult to find a bridge gap program? Or is this very common?

Hello everyone, I'm so grateful to have found this website! The information that I've gained so far has been invaluable in the decision making process to change careers to nursing at the age of 31. However, I'd love to get a dialogue going on some things that I am currently struggling with; and any advice would be immensely appreciated! I'll try to keep my background as short as I can: As I'd said, I'm 31 years of age. I have a BS in a non-medical field. I'm currently living in Northern VA, just outside of DC. I'm in a position where I don't know for sure where I'll be living a year from now, because my boyfriend and I are talking marriage. He may or may not need to move for his job within the next year; if he does move I'll be joining him when I can. This all plays into my questions: I really want to at least get the ball rolling by taking some pre-requisite classes, but I'm stuck on how to proceed. Would the most appropriate goal be for me to go for the Bachelor's in Nursing? Or does it not matter that I get another Bachelor's since I've already obtained one? In that line of thought, I'd just be selecting a program which would get me to an RN the quickest I suppose? I'm in a position where I have to be working full time right now, or else I'd be apt to go for an accelerated Bachelor's of nursing program. The other issue I'm having is- If I don't know which nursing school I'll be attending yet, is it possible to even select some pre-reqs to take at a community college? Because wouldn't pre-reqs differ from school to school? Or would I be pretty safe to just take say the lowest A&P, and know that would definitely help my end goal no matter which path I choose? I've likely already fulfilled the English, Math, and some other more general requirements, so any advice on more science related courses that you'd recommend would be great. Any other tips you'd have for someone looking to get started? Thank you so much! :)