Second degree / career change

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Jul 20, 2018

Before you make such a radical change- have you taken the time to shadow a nurse and find out what we actually DO for a living? Because that is crucial- so many times we get folks here who are making a career change/ taking on mountains of debt/ disrupting their family's life based on what they see on TV or online. Then a year or two into nursing- they are here disgruntled by the grind, complaining that their dreeeeeam isn't what they thought it would be, and looking for yet another career.

Measure twice, cut once I guess is my advice.

Nutritionturnednurse_tn · Jul 20, 2018

Hi there, yes I have shadowed two nurses. A family friend of mine. As well as my best friends mother. One works in an orthopedics office with a typical m-f / 8-5 schedule. The other works shifts in the hospital 2-3 days a week. I am also single and childless so I wouldn't really be disrupting anyone but myself.. as well I have been preparing for this, financially for almost two years. And it's time to make the choice (nursing school / route wise) I know nursing is the field I want to go into. I know it's not all rainbows. It's gritty, hard work. But I feel like it's a career that has so much meaning. I have so much respect for nurses. And I am wanting a change in life, where I may leave work dead exhausted, but atleast I know I'm helping someone. Office/corporate world is a grueling, rat race. That's why they call it the grind. And it's often meaningless work, with zero point, aside from the dollar. I want more than that. Money isn't my calling. People are. I appreciate your advice! And I agree, I think any career a person is considering, they should definitely shadow someone, and do extensive research beforehand!

Oldmahubbard · Jul 21, 2018

Have you checked out an ADN at a nearby Community College? They are usually inexpensive. That is what I did 30 years ago when I was in your shoes.

LPN, no. Do not do it. No jobs except in LTC and your school will count for nothing.

AAZ319 · Jul 22, 2018

Hi there! I am 29 and have a bachelors degree in community health education. I stay home right now with my two toddlers and am wanting a career change as well. Since I have 2 kids, the accelerated program isn't really an option. I decided on an ADN program and will finish with my BSN online while working. I just got in to the nursing program a couple days ago so I'm super excited! People change careers all the time so don't feel weird about it. And seriously who cares?! Do what's best for you! You still have 30+ years of working and shouldn't have to be in a career that you're not happy with when you can easily change. The ADN program for me is only 3 semesters and then the BSN is 3 semesters all online. Good luck!

Chrispy11, ASN, RN · Aug 1, 2018

Have you checked out an ADN at a nearby Community College? They are usually inexpensive. That is what I did 30 years ago when I was in your shoes.
LPN, no. Do not do it. No jobs except in LTC and your school will count for nothing.

Good suggestion. I also agree on the LPN. Nursing homes and assisted living are the only places in my area that hire LPNs. Three years at my local community college for an ADN was cheaper than two local 10 month LPN programs. You can then do the rest online with an RN to BSN program. I have a lot of college credits. I looked into two RN to BSN programs with a set semester price for as many classes as you could cram. Those wanted me to take a crazy number of classes. May be good for some individuals. Not for me. I did not want to take the number of classes they required. Doesn't hurt to call admissions to see get an idea of what you'd need to take. Plus if you're working, employers sometimes pick up portion of your tuition.

Nutritionturnednurse_tn · Aug 7, 2018

I have checked out an adn program, yes! Where I'm located we actually have 3 local cc's that offer the ADN! As well, all 3 of those cc's offer the lpn to adn bridge. The thing is, wait lists. I'm not guaranteed entry immediately even if I'm a perfect applicant. And I'm at the point where I've got to make a change sooner rather than later. And that is why I'm heavily considering lpn. I've done extensive research on the job outlook for LPNs here. Right now when I search indeed there are over 400 job postings. (About 34 for the nutrition field-hind sight really is 20/20 ugh) I really am not above LTC work. In fact I think it could provide great experience for my future. And those folks need caring nurses too. Here they start out around 22-25 an hour, or more for shift differentials. To me, taking a year off to become an lpn, being able to enter the work force again - relatively quickly, making more than i am making now in the insanely money hungry, stressful pharmaceutical world seems like the way to go. What is awesome about my location is the many options for "weekend warrior LPNs" or even night shift. I could work a good chunk while I bridge to rn, either through a local program or excelsior. As I'd also like to pay cash for my bridge vs loans. It just to me sounds like the most practical. As well the school im looking at that offers the lpn program, also offers an lpn to bsn program. Which could be an even better option than the adn. While I'd love to go straight into adn. I feel like i might need to take another route. And while I feel like my time, money and energy have been for nothing for my first bachelors degree. Life's a journey, and not everyone's is the same! Thank you for your thoughts. I think this site is fabulous!! It's nice to hear from others!!

Mavo · Aug 21, 2019

Do what works for you and your current state of being. Like you said, "life is a journey, and all of our experiences are different."

Good luck and success!

CamMc · Aug 22, 2019

You could also start out doing a CNA program, the pay will definitely be less, but gets you experience, then whether you do the LPN route or ADN/BSN route you can be working even if it's just part-time so you're not completely without an income. The CNA programs can often be completed in just 4-6 weeks. I'm 33 and making a career change, but I had been in nursing school and gotten my CNA so I'm confident in making the switch, I loved the clinical aspect of nursing school, I just didn't have my head in the game with the studying aspect back then.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 10, 2019

I started out with a BS Biology. I went ADN route instead of ABSN. It was cheaper and I got lots of clinical. There were wait lists at my CC but I got to jump the rope because I had all of my pre-reqs finished because of the degree I already had. I think I had to take human anatomy/physiology because I was pre-vet and an adult psychology class. They let me take them while in the nursing program,

e_monpepper · Sep 12, 2019

Hi everyone,

Just reading the responses, I wanted to ask if anyone can give me tips on how to jump start my nursing career and gain that experience. I am also making a career switch, but not too much of a jump. I have patient experience but through a behavioral health perspective doing research and diagnostics at a Level 1 Trauma Center. I have a bachelors in two other degrees, but not a BSN. Some people have been giving me a mix of advice on starting this career. I have applied to ME-MSN and MEPN programs but have been wait listed every time. I was thinking of gaining more "nursing" exposure through getting a CNA or EMT certification. In your opinions, which would be the most cost effective and competitive choice to make? I was hoping to be in a program by now to better support my kids, but I think I have been doing things wrong.

Robin Verde, ADN, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2019

On 9/12/2019 at 4:31 AM, e_monpepper said:
Hi everyone,
Just reading the responses, I wanted to ask if anyone can give me tips on how to jump start my nursing career and gain that experience. I am also making a career switch, but not too much of a jump. I have patient experience but through a behavioral health perspective doing research and diagnostics at a Level 1 Trauma Center. I have a bachelors in two other degrees, but not a BSN. Some people have been giving me a mix of advice on starting this career. I have applied to ME-MSN and MEPN programs but have been wait listed every time. I was thinking of gaining more "nursing" exposure through getting a CNA or EMT certification. In your opinions, which would be the most cost effective and competitive choice to make? I was hoping to be in a program by now to better support my kids, but I think I have been doing things wrong.

Not sure if this is helpful but, I had 2 degrees in non-nursing fields. When I decided to go into nursing, I had to take all of my nursing related pre-reqs (biology, etc). I thought that if I got my ADN at a CC and then passed the NCLEX I could get a nursing job. Unfortunately, in my area (Philadelphia metro area) it's pretty saturated and there is no shortage. So when I went to a job fair, NOT ONE, employer would take my resume because I didn't have a BSN. After 6 months I enrolled in an online RN to BSN program (the cheapest I could find at the time - UTA). Once I got my degree, I was still having an issue. Due to aforementioned saturation, I was still not able to find a job because most of the jobs wanted 1+ years of experience. I tried to get into nursing residency programs but I was competing with college students that did their clinicals at the places offering the residency programs. It took a while but I finally found something.

So to make a long story even longer, those that I graduated CC with found immediate success by being CNAs in hospitals and then getting hired as nurses at those hospitals right after they passed the NCLEX. I don't suggest you skip the BSN. Not one employer cared that I had BS degrees, they weren't BSs in Nursing and therefore I was passed over. Additionally, in nursing school one of my professors told us about a nurse that had a BS in another field, switched to nursing, got an MSN and a PhD. Her facility then told her that she had to go back to school and get her BSN. It didn't matter that she was a DOCTOR IN NURSING, BSN is the keyword at the moment.

I hope that helped a little.