40 something wondering which program?

[Maisie]

I am nearing 50 and am trying to decide between entering a ADN or a BSN program. How long does it take a nurse with a BSN degree to advance to position open only to those with the BSN degree? I see no point in spending additional years going for a higher degree when it could take many of experence to progress to a higher level once I am a nurse.

I really want to know should I in my late 40's spend the additional money for advanced degrees?

[MereSanity]

I went through 5 years in a different field. Now, at 34 I am returning to school and will be getting (hopefully) my LPN next year, then work toward my ADN. It is SO right for me. I can accomplish this in steps, be working in a year (with an LPN) and complete what I need to on my own timetable. I will NOT be going for a BSN though. I have enough school already. Good luck.

[NurseFirst]

...decided to go into nursing at 53. Cleaned up my pre-reqs in a year (including going to summer school for 2 summers) and applied to my local community college. To me, the ADN was the fastest and cheapest way to go--especially since they have a class starting every quarter. Getting into a BSN program didn't seem worth it, since I already have 2 bachelors (although a friend of mine started in a new program which is accelerated BSN and will be done about the same time I am--but he doesn't have summers off.). The other issue with BSN or "master's entry" programs is that they all start in the fall, and usually have their applications due the previous fall--meaning it would take me at least a year between the time I finished my pre-reqs to the time I could get into the program.

Good luck to you!

NurseFirst

[NurseDiva04]

This will be my 2nd career. I spent over 20 years in Information Technology. I am 44. When I evaluated ADN and BSN, the accelerated BSN seemed better for me. Of course it is more expensive, however, after spending 11.5 months attending nursing classes and clinicals, I will obtain my BSN. I had to take pre-reqs for both the ADN & BSN because my science courses were over 20 yrs old. Then, the ADN program would be 2 yrs long. I probably could have worked during the 2 yrs, however, the Accl. BSN program means I can not work and in 11.5 months, I can work. I decided to bite the bullet and do the 11.5 months. I have 8 months left!!! Yea!

[Euskadi1946]

I also have a degree. Will this degree in Computer Science take the place of a BSN.

Wow Maisie, you can go into Nursing Informantics with a computer science degree, look into it. I hear they make really good money setting up nursing software for hospitals and clinics. If there are any nurses in nursing informatics, please speak up!!!!

[Maggie in NC]

Maisie, I'm 41, have a BSBA, and an MBA and 11 years of executive management experience with a billion dollar corporation. I'm now going into nursing. I decided to do the ASN with a capstone directly into a BSN once completed. It gives me my RN and $ but also guarantees I'll finish my BSN. With a BSN and an MBA, I'm hoping for a staff position but, I know I'll have to pay my dues. YOU CAN DO IT! Good luck to you!

Thanks for the insight. I was looking at some of the posting in the NP section. There is a surplus of NPs and not many job openings for PAs. People who complete their degree often find themselves working as floor nurses waiting for openings. In addition there is malpractice insurance and a heavy loan repayment for the MSN degree.

I am not interested in management so that pretty much makes up my mind as far as the route I should go. Nearing 50 and spending so many years in school (it's a requirement for Information Technology people) I don't want to spend the rest of my years in school.

[caiaccarino]

I too am 47 y/o, studying for RN degree. Chose to go to the local community college for the ADN program so I could get back to working full time sooner. For hubby and I, 2 years was all we could handle on one income. Working and studying nursing, for me, was not an option. Being older, and the content being very intense, I only work every other weekend to pay for groceries. My program strongly recommends that you not work since passing with a "C" means achieving a 77 gpa, not the standard 70. The grading scale is really tough. The tuition was also a deciding factor. Local universities for a BSN start at 15,000 a year compared to $58 a credit at the community college. I already paid for one BS degree, didn't want to pay that kind of money again.

Cindy