SwimsWithSharks

Thank you for the replies. (Sorry to take so long to reply back.) JENSMOM, NALON, BARCODE, and I_SLAPPED: Yeah, that "nursing shortage" myth is just that - a myth. At least, it is in Indiana. Thank you for the alternative suggestions about what I could do with my ADN. I just know I've got to get out of LTC before I go crazy... BTDT: I agree. When I first graduated, it seemed like that was the thing to aspire to. But eight hours constantly on my feet in LTC is long enough. The idea of working 12 hours straight - even if it's only 3 days a week - has lost its allure. NURSE156: Thank you. Yes, there comes a time (an age) when we have to consider whether taking on more debt (to get a BSN) is really worth it, compared to how much longer we will work. SALLY: Texas wouldn't be a bad place to live. It's a long way from family, though... WINDSURFER: Uh... thanks for your opinion. I guess.... ANNA S: Now THERE'S something that I wish I'd seen before starting down this particular path. PINAY: Yes, I believe you are correct. Whether there's a nursing shortage or a nursing glut, depends on where you live.

Nursing is a second career for me - one that I took up because at the start of the recession, jobs in my old profession - engineering - just weren't available in my area. Got my ADN, and have worked for a few LTC places since, because hospitals here simply won't hire RN's with only an AD. There may be a nursing shortage nationwide, but locally, there's a glut. Have thought about going for my BSN, but honestly, I'm already in my upper 50's, and already getting burned out on nursing. I would have never worked to get my ADN, if I knew this was what awaited me. I don't really expect any magic answers, but thanks for letting me vent.

What would I tell my pre-nursing self? DON'T DO IT. RUN AWAY. Or if you MUST do it, don't enter the workplace with just an ASN. Stay in school until you have the BSN at least.