Pursue Nursing Now or as a 2nd Career

rednotebook · Dec 31, 2014

Hello all,

I'm hoping I could get some advice. I am 22 and just graduated with my BA in psychology with a 3.0 gpa. Originally, my goal was get into occupational therapy and I'm done with all of the prereqs, GRE, and set to apply this Fall 2015.

However, my goal since I was young was to become a nurse. The reason I haven't pursued it or even thought about doing it until now is because I have now realized that I am physically able to carry out the duties of a nurse (I was born with amniotic band syndrome, so I had a preconceived notion that I couldn't do it)

So, right now I am struggling with the decision to apply to OT school in the Fall or spend the spring and summer semesters taking prereqs, volunteering, getting my CNA licence to gear up to applying to nursing school in the fall.

My parents are strongly suggesting that I become an OT first and then transition into nursing because they think

1.) Nursing is too competitive right now. They think I will have a much easier time securing a hospital RN position once I've gained experience as an OT. Are they right? Will experience as an OT in a hospital setting help me? (This reasoning makes sense and is making me consider becoming an OT first and then transitioning to becoming an RN)

2.) I have way too much to accomplish for nursing school applications and I couldn't possible get it all done by Fall 2015. I still have to take the teas, 4 prereqs, becoming CNA certified). I've gotten an "A" in English, Stats, Physio, and Micro and a "C" in chemistry.

3.) Unfortunately, they also don't believe I can be a nurse because of the way my syndrome has affected my hands.