Scared to take the first step to go back to school...

[wildblueeyez]

So, I've been toying with the idea of going back to school for my RN. I've been a LPN since 1990 and absolutely LOVE being a nurse. But at age 42, I have to admit that I am kinda afraid to go back to school.

There are no LPN to RN programs here that are part time and I can't afford to quit work to do it full time. Nor do I want to load my weekends with working double shifts to keep the income up. In order to achieve my goal of RN, I would have to go to UPMC Shadyside part time - evenings and every other weekend - for four years.

I'm not thrilled at "starting over" and having to go through all the basics - taking blood pressures, bed baths, etc. but I want to learn more and be able to do more as a nurse. It's not the jump in salary that is motivating me to go back school but the fact that I want to KNOW more. I want to do more.

For anyone else who is trying to decide (or who has decided!) whether or not to go back to school, how do you get "over" this fear?

Financially, without my employer paying for me to go back to school, I'd never be able to go back. I don't have the means to "pay for a few classes" out of pocket and then have my employer reimburse me.

I keep looking at the pre-testing form for Shadyside but I just can't hit the print button.

Any advice?

[U2BCool]

I graduated from LPN school in 1992 and just started my first nursing LPN/RN class. I took a few pre-reqs at a time.

I did not want to start with learning BPs etc. but my transition program expects the LPN to already have that knowledge. I am glad I went back I am learning alot and gaining some different perspectives to the knowledge I already have.

Hospitals seem to be going through the we only want RNs phase in my area, so LPN jobs are hard to find and those available are very low paying.

We have had to make some serious cuts to our budget and I know if I get in a pinch I can get a student loan.

I think the average person in my class is in their late thirties.

[RN/Mom]

My best advice is to take it slowly, at least initially -- maybe one or two classes per semester. Finish your english, math, social science and humanities classes first, and then do your sciences (as many schools require that science credits be completed within five years of application). If there's a subject you particularly enjoy that also counts as a pre-req (e.g., psychology), I'd start with that one first -- it will make it much easier to ease back into school and increase your likelihood of successfully completing the class (which will also boost your confidence in yourself and make you want to tackle your next class, and so on).

If you have a part-time RN program in mind, that's great, but I would also explore other options. Are you sure your employer doesn't already offer programs to help employees advance their educations? Check with your nurse recruitment or HR department to see if they might be affiliated with a local nursing program that might allow you to work (for example) 20 hours per week while attending school 20 hours per week (called a 20/20 program where I live), or if they have scholarships you can apply for, or if they offer loan repayment for new grad RN's. I would also ask co-workers if they've heard of any such programs at other hospitals -- if so, it might be worth applying to a facility that does offer such help.

Making an appointment with a guidance counselor familiar with the nursing program at your chosen college is also a good place to start. They can tell you exactly how to proceed given your time and financial constraints and will map out all of the classes you will need, how to apply for financial aid, etc.

I know it's scary, but I have found that there's a lot of help out there if you take the time to try and find it. Ask around, call around, and explore your options! Good luck! :)