LabRat3

Second career for me too. I'm 29 and got my degree in biology back in 2008 and I've been working in a clinical laboratory since then. I'm starting in August and I'll be leaving my job right before then. It's terrifying but exciting at the same time! I'm married but no kids so it's a little easier on me. I'm not sure of your specific program requirements but I wasn't required to have volunteer hours. My college accepted me within a week, most likely due to my first degree and experience. Best of luck to you!

I prefer pen and paper. Allows me to draw pictures or diagrams quickly and then I go back and type them out. This study reaffirms my belief that I retain the info better this way: Ditch the laptop and pick up a pen, class. Researchers say it’s better for note taking. - The Washington Post Not everybody learns the same way though!

I am not able to send messages since I haven't posted enough and you may not be able to either. You can send me a message on Kik if you want. My name on there is ladylifts22.

I'm scared too! I am quitting my nice, cushy full-time job to go to nursing school and I am terrified just about that. I may be starting in January. I'm hoping I can work while in school. I was a pretty good student and I have almost a 4.0 in science and math but I know nursing classes are different so I am anxious to see what it will be like in that respect. I'm 29 and this will be a second career (already, lol). I'm hoping my biology degree will help me out a lot and the job I work now is in a clinical lab so I have some foundation laid. My best friend is a nurse and she is my best resource. Good luck to you!

I feel the same as you. I'm excited now but probably not so much when I'm drowning in books and also trying to work and have somewhat of a social life. Send me a message if you'd like to meet up on the 27th!

congrats! my orientation is on October 27th. I may not start in the spring due to some life circumstances but definitely by next fall. they accepted 40 of my credits from my bachelors degree so I don't think I will have to take as many courses as I thought. I'm anxious to start though!

I agree with dorkypanda, the classes you need for pre-med are more "advanced" than what is required for nursing. I took all the pre-med pre-reqs and made it through. It's not easy, especially organic chem and calculus. For example, the A&P course required for pre-med was a 400 level class titled "mammalian A&P." At the university I went to, a chemistry minor was pretty much built into the biology degree. I had to take one extra chem course and I took biochemistry. I loved biochem and considered going for Ph.D in biochemistry but decided I was sick of school and wanted to work (oh, how fun it was to be 22 lol). Don't underestimate the CRNA. Just because you're technically a nurse doesn't mean it won't be difficult. Yea, you may not get the same respect from patients but the schooling won't be any easier just because it's nursing. And also, CRNA programs usually require AT LEAST 1-2 years of ER/ICU experience before you can even apply. You'll also have to take the GRE because it is a master's degree. You can look at it this way...if you keep going and get your BSN, you can always fall back on that. Plus, you can work for a couple years and then go to med school and that could make your med school application look better. Just be prepared to take some hardcore science, math and physics. It's not easy but it's not impossible. My dad's cousin was a nurse for ~10 years before she went to medical school! Good luck!

Thank you for the advice! I've ordered an A&P review book along with the A&P coloring book ( I may as well have fun while I'm studying). I wouldn't have thought about the electrolytes so thanks for pointing that out. I'm definitely going to have to review pharmacology too.

So, I've been accepted to an ADN/BSN program and I may be starting in Spring 2015. I have B.S. in biology but I graduated with that in 2008. My current job is in a clinical laboratory so I use medical terminology, basic math, some micro and cell biology on a daily basis. I'm hoping to go right into the nursing courses and get credit for pre-reqs I've already taken such as chemistry, A&P, micro, etc. I've recently taken pathophysiology, pharmacology and nutrition and got all A's. For all of you that are current nursing students, what concepts/subjects do you recommend I start "studying" for? I think A&P is the most obvious one along with pharmacology and micro. Anything else I should start preparing for? Thanks!

Awesome! Let me know how it goes for you. Maybe we'll be in class together sometime!

I applied on Tuesday this week and was accepted on Thursday of this week. It was a lot faster than I expected. I had already sent my transcripts to them back in July though. They extended the deadline for spring semester to September 19th. Are you planning on applying as well?

So, I was accepted this week to Christ Hospital College of Nursing and I'm pretty sure I'll get accepted to Good Sam College of Nursing as well since I already have my bachelor's degree in Biology (chem minor). Is anyone here currently attending either of these programs? I'd like to know what your experience has been like. I'm looking at the BSN programs for both. I'm also hoping I could get credit for my general education classes as well as science classes for my degree and fast track right to the nursing classes. Does anyone know if this is possible? I've contacted both colleges but have not heard back yet. Also, is the critical care RN residency program at Christ still active? I saw on their website they are not accepting applications at this time. I've also considered applying to University of Cincinnati's accelerated BSN-MSN program but they're making it a royal pain in the @$$ for various reasons. Any advice/comments are appreciated. Thanks! :)