Really Need Advice

[JoiTydings]

I am 50 years old. I've almost completed my pre recs needed for nursing school. Friday a school called me and asked if I could get all my pre recs done that I could start nursing school for BSN in August (already havea 4 year degree). The problem is the school is 50 minutes away, it is a very good school. BSN would only take me 2 years I would like to receive my doctorate. My son is also attending a diffierent university that he is staying at for pre med he would like to become a doctor. I have owned a med spa for 7 years and having my BS and then my doctorate I would be able to further my career but more importantly help my clients with problems I know what they have but I'm unable to diagnose or prescribe. I go to many medical seminars all over the United States several times a year learning from Top Doctors. I really enjoy the field of medicine. if I did the one year BSN accelerated program in my area I would not be able to work for at least a year leaving my med spa with out me being there at all. My husband works there also and I have very reliable staff. I'm worried I would not get into accelerated because of age and they don't even start till next year making me further behind. Schools are hard to get into. What are your thoughts?

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

I have owned a med spa for 7 years and having my BS and then my doctorate I would be able to further my career but more importantly help my clients with problems I know what they have but I'm unable to diagnose or prescribe.

I really enjoy the field of medicine.

What are your thoughts?

First off, what do you mean by wanting to get your doctorate? In nursing there are traditional PhD programs but they aren't really meant for clinical practice. Do you mean becoming a Nurse Practitioner? Most of those programs are at the Master's level but there are more and more DNP programs out there. This would be your path if you wanted to help diagnosing and treating patients. There are a few (just a few) NP programs that take the student straight into practice; usually easiest if you already have a science background.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

if I did the one year BSN accelerated program in my area I would not be able to work for at least a year leaving my med spa with out me being there at all. My husband works there also and I have very reliable staff. I'm worried I would not get into accelerated because of age and they don't even start till next year making me further behind. Schools are hard to get into. What are your thoughts?

I'm not going to advise whether to go accelerated vs. regular BSN. What you may consider though is that working during any nursing program is very difficult. Most can only manage part time work. Running a business usually requires more than fulltime hours. You might be better off going ahead and taking a year off from work and getting school done.

[rnhope2b]

I'm 55 and starting into a nursing program in the fall. I know how you feel. Go with your gut feeling. Your not too old, in fact you are BETTER then the rest of the competition. Look at what you have accomplished!! I too am going the distance with school as my campus is almost an hour away. Make the sacrifice and others will support you. Trust your instincts. Sounds like they have already been validated.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

Your aspirations are admirable and doable. However, I don't think you realize how little nursing school prepares you for the real world of patient care and that going to seminars given by physicians in no way prepares you as a clinician/primary care provider.

Nursing programs are demanding. Accelerated programs are more demanding. Any BSN program that doesn't take you 4 years is considered accelerated. You then need to pass the NCLEX licensing exam to become a nurse.

A doctorate in nursing does not automatically lead to being a Nurse Practitioner. There are 2 pathways to become a practitioner/provider. There is the MSN route and the DNP route. Both followed by a licensing exam before practice can begin as an APRN provider. There is a movement however in the Nurse Practitioner world to require the DNP by 2015 but that has not become a requirement as of today. Some states has enacted some legislation, and it is strongly encouraged, but it has not become absolute at this present time.

Becoming a Nurse practitioner is not a guarantee of independent practice. Some states allow complete independent practice of the APRN....other states do not allow APRN's true independent practice and must be in a collaborative relationship with MD oversight. Your need to check your states practice regulations.

To answer your question any shcool that offers a BSN in less than 4 years and you must have a bachelors in another field is considered an accelerated BSN.

Good luck in school!