Switching career to RN

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Specializes in RN.

Hello All,

I am a software engineer and want to switch to healthcare. My long term goal is to become an RN. For now, as a single working mother, I have to keep my job. So I want your advice on what online degree I can take now so that I can later use a bridge program to become an RN (ADN or BSN)? Would you advice CNA or Medical Assistant or Phlebotomist or or anything that I can pursue now online so that I can use any online bridge program to become an RN later? Please advice.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
1 hour ago, Prija said:

Would you advice CNA or Medical Assistant or Phlebotomist or or anything that I can pursue now online so that I can use any online bridge program to become an RN later?

I am of the classroom/clinical State Boards with a pen & paper generation, so I have difficulty advising you on an online route, Prija.

HOWEVER, I am a firm believer in grassroots endeavors. To learn from the basics to the secondary gives us a much less parochial perspective.

I feel and believe that one reason I had a successful nursing career was due to working as an EMT, then a CNA, LPN, and finally, RN.

Good luck in your endeavor, Prija!

 

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Specializes in oncology.

Prija,

Didn't you just drop out of a ABSN program? Also, any "hands on" certificate would require, errr, a hands on program...not online.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

You can't become an RN, CNA or any such thing without hands-on practice/work if you have no prior experience. Sorry.

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Specializes in RN.

ABSN does not work for everyone. My ask is online + evenings or weekend classes for clinicals in-person works as I can make arrangements for my kids to be cared. Just asking any options available in the bay area, CA as I need to keep my job to support me and kids hence asking around for options if anyone can share. Any option that can be completed fastest to then bridge to an RN (ADN or BSN). If there is none, I understand, but wanted to explore and see.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I hope someone in the Bay Area can chime in to help.

Good luck.

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Specializes in RN.

Appreciate your support @SmilingBluEyes

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Specializes in ER.

Talk to a college guidance counselor. They specialize in knowing this type of information. 

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14 hours ago, Prija said:

ABSN does not work for everyone. My ask is online + evenings or weekend classes for clinicals in-person works as I can make arrangements for my kids to be cared. Just asking any options available in the bay area, CA as I need to keep my job to support me and kids hence asking around for options if anyone can share. Any option that can be completed fastest to then bridge to an RN (ADN or BSN). If there is none, I understand, but wanted to explore and see.

Nope. All of those require hands on experience and clinicals. Could you not do clinicals for the ABSN on the weekends too? I'm concerned that you want to rush to become an RN and not put in the time and effort it takes to be one. You're not the first person to be a single parent, have children, need to work, so forth and so on, yet put in the time and effort it takes to be an RN. There are no basic online classes to be a nurse with guaranteed weekend clinical hours. If you want to do weekend clinicals, find a preceptor that does weekend hours. However, it's up to the school.

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Why would you want to switch to health care if you're a software engineer?? You can work from home and are now making way more $ than you ever will as a nurse!?!

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Specializes in RN.

@2BS Nurse good question. I have a friend who is a nurse and wants to switch to software. At some point you realize what you want to do.

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Specializes in RN.

@NurseBlaq I am not by any means saying that I am first one for being a single mom. please be a little more kind. I just asked for advice. If you cannot give suggestions, you really do not have to respond to my question. Every one has their own struggles. Just because my situation is not unique does not make it easy for me as I am the one dealing with it. Let's help each other out in this forum if possible. I am just trying to explore and see if there is any possibility and this forum helps with those clarifications for people have gone through similar stuff.

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