Katwallace

I've just started looking into being a nurse and every school I've looked into says that the pre reqs take 3 years to complete, then you do the two years in nursing school just to get your associates degree. I don't understand how I can go to school for 5 years and wind up with only an associates. And the 3 years pre reqs alone will give me more credits than a standard associates degree would. Am I looking into a wrong program? Everyone told me that pre reqs were like 5 classes and then you can get into the program. I have no college done at all at this point so I guess that's the problem. It just seems like I could be on my way to my masters in a different feild in that amount of time! I'm currently a real estate agent and absolutely love what I do, but I've also always had a passion for nursing and with how the economy is now it's taking a lot of work to get a little business so I thought nursing might be a better solution. But in 5 years time the economy will have turned and I feel like I might have wasted all the time and stress in school and be in a ton of debt when I could be more successful at that point in real estate. Im confused! Does anyone know of a quicker route to get into the nursing program? or a school that doesn't require so many pre reqs? Just a side note: This isn't just about money, I really love both things, and as a kid I always wanted to do both, but I now have two kids and spending time with them is the most important thing to me. My plan was that I could be a nurse and do the Baylor Plan (weekends only) and still do some with the real estate during the week. I just want to be sure I'm doing what's best for my family but with all that schooling I'm beginning to wonder if I would have any time with my kids after. Thanks for any help!!