Question for those career changers

[jcmoore07]

I am looking at starting my prerequisites for nursing and wanted a little advice. I have 4 science courses to take for the schools (both accelerated programs) I'm looking at applying to, and I am currently employed full time. The application date for the school I would like to go to is in January, and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to complete all of these courses by that date (a requirement of the school), and I don't want to rush it and do poorly in the courses. So, I've considered keeping my full time job and taking 1 - 2 courses per semester and applying for the following year (Summer 2012). But, I also thought that I could dive in head first and get my CNA license, find a job as a nursing asst or tech and try to take my prereqs and see if I would have more time to work on school work. I am almost 32, and would like to get into nursing as quickly as possible, but I do want to learn the material well. I wanted to see if anyone had the same dilemna and/or had any advice from experience. Thanks a lot.

[titans767]

I am 34 and just starting my pre-reqs i finished my cna class in march and got a great job on an alzheimer unit which is already giving me a tremendous about of knowledge and satisfaction. I am going to take my time to get my pre-reqs finished i am looking at possibly spring but more than likely fall 2012.That is my plans so i hope it all works out that way.I thought i would share my story to let you know you are not alone.:)

[Bob_N_VA]

I was in a similar position last year, having made the decision to go back to school and the term started this last Jan. I had 3 courses to make up, A&P 1&2 and Micro. I ended up taking the first A&P in the summer and the second in the fall along with Micro. That was a bit to keep up with. One guy in my summer class was taking both (short semester) because he was accepted into med school in the fall.

I did well enough in the A&P courses and passed micro. I wasn't as focused on the grades as I was just getting through the courses. I did want to get going with the nursing school as quickly as possible so in the end it all worked out for me. I have a full time day job still (the classes are nights/weekends) though I would have loved to quit and gone to school full time. Given the current economy, I just didn't see that as an option.

If you can schedule all four between now and the end of the year, I would say to go for it. It will get you in the mindset for nursing school which is not going to be a cakewalk. If not, then you should have plenty of time to work on the pre-reqs. You're pretty young so you should have plenty of time either way.

[jcmoore07]

Thank you guys, for telling me your stories. I hope everything works out great for both of you. It is nice to know that other people are in the same boat. It is tough right now, with the economy, to consider changing careers and quitting jobs. But, hopefully in the long run, I will be satisfied with my decision.