kwest1990

SSB, Thanks for the reply and the helpful info! I also stumbled upon healthcare in a sense, having gone to film school for four years, and then becoming a caregiver for my grandfather who was on Hospice at home. So aside from little previous experience, I feel very strongly that this is the path I would like to take. I too want a solid program. And given my personal interest for rigorous academia - I will most likely only be applying to "good" programs. You bring up a good point in terms of finding a program that will "meet my needs", and I think this is what I'm finding most challenging about the process. It will help a lot, I think, If I can go and visit some of these programs and speak one on one with someone about my path and needs in this case. In my case I don't want to go into research (at least at this moment I don't)- but I would ideally like to become a traveling nurse as there are numerous elements to this job which would fulfill various aspects of myself. I'm not really sure if there are programs that are better suited for something like this though. I had originally thought Johns Hopkins would be a great fit too - but I have heard many mixed feelings about the surrounding area and Baltimore as city, as well as their BSN program vs. their MSN. In the end, all of this definitely warrants a visit to the school in person at some point. And as for the rest of the admissions process I think I am in a pretty solid place. Aside from what programs are looking for academically (from my previous university experience), I plan on doing well in my pre reqs (I just signed up for the online Nutrition course through Johns Hopkins!), and I just started working as a CNA for a private home care company. By the time I apply to schools next year, I should have over a year of healthcare experience under my belt. I also hope to shadow/volunteer at Hospitals as much as possible. So I am just curious - was it challenging for you to make this change of direction in your life? Because I am finding it quite overwhelming at times. Do you already know what speciality you would like to eventually work in? And are you planning to continue on and get your masters? Again - I appreciate the thoughts on all of this! Best, KW

Hi there, I am also on this path, except I won't be applying to schools until next year. I've just come to the conclusion that I do in fact want to get my BSN, and I am starting pre reqs now. I've been trying to do as much research on schools as I can but I'm finding it very challenging. Of course each university toots its own horn quite wonderfully, and then there is a whole spectrum of thought as to pros and cons when you start looking around online. I'm located in Boston and would preferably like to go someplace else even though we have some great schools here. How did you decide upon the schools on your list? I'm also looking seriously as Johns Hopkins although I'm not sure I want to be in Baltimore.. And I know that University of Washington is supposed to have a great program but I've also found some discouraging posts on here about it. I guess it would just be very helpful to have some sort of a dialogue about this stuff - for someone like me, who is almost entirely new to the medical field (I just completed a four year degree in a field very distant from medicine!), this process is tremendously daunting. Cheers, KW