Thinking about cross training to nursing

After reading my question again, I realized that some of you may take offense to what may appear as me making light of your profession. Please believe me when I say nothing could be further from the truth! This is something I have thought about for quite some time and just now started researching in earnest. I know this is not an easy profession. Some of you are probably thinking, "what is this guy thinking about?!? Is he crazy?" Perhaps. I'm tired of working for government contractors who rely on the government to feed their kids (i.e., yes, I was on furlough this week :)). I researched some nursing credentials and thought, "maybe I'll go LPN to RN to BSN". "Maybe I'll go straight for BSN." I honestly don't know how realistic those options are. I also have to consider that I have a family to house and feed while doing this transition, so I assume I will do as much at night as I can. Again, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Richard

If this is something you are truly interested in, it would probably be best to go straight for the BSN if you have the GPA from your prev degrees to be competitive. IF you have a higher than 3.5 GPA (some areas are more competitive then others so your GPA may be ok to be lower, or may need to be higher), then you have a good shot at getting into a BSN program. Most hospitals (where the money is at) prefer BSN RNs.Through all your degrees check your classes against the pre reqs for the universities you are interested in. In general, most will want A&P1 and 2, micro, patho, chem, ENG 101 and 102, Stats, another math course, and then the rest vary by program. If you have any of these classes done with As and Bs then you have a good start. Also, sit down with an advisor at each of the colleges you are interested in to find out the specifics for applying to their program and what the usual GPA cutoff seems to be. ALso have all your transcripts ready beforehand so the advisor can see what classes you have completed that can be used for a BSRN.

It is not uncommon to have a midlife career change toward medical. I have seen many "older" pre-nursing/nursing students because they didn't get the call to nursing until later. If this is want you want, hen go for it.

ALso a BSN will open up more doors for your. You can get into nursing management, imformatics, research, go for your MSN after to become an NP or other advanced practice nurse.

Since you already have a BS, look at schools in your area that offer an accelerated BSN (2nd degree BSN)and look at the pre-req. classes needed that you haven't already completed. They are for people that already have a BS in non-nursing major. They are usually 15-18 months (after all pre-req. classes completed).

Direct MSN to Nursing Informatics? Or do you want to do bedside nursing? RN/BSN. Do you want to be a provider like a doc? NP. Or do you want to do anesthesia for surgeries? CRNA.

Lots of options

Wow. So many great comments! I have the basics covered pretty well to include ENG, Math, Stats, etc. I had one BIO class but I don't imagine that will be enough. Likely there will be more science classes required (Anat, Bio, Chem, etc.). GPA won't be a problem - No less than a B on any class (Mostly As). I will most definitely sit down with an advisor first. The large part of me wants the change so I can channel my natural compassion and do something that means a lot more to folks (not to mention, getting away from gov't funding). I will research the Nursing Informatics suggestion, although it sounds a lot like what I'm already doing. I would love to eventually become an NP.

How much of this can I do while moonlighting? I imagine the classes I can do online or at night, but the practical stuff will probably be harder to do like that.

Thank you VERY much for the comments.

I actually just found a program with a local community college that offers an ADN/ASN specifically for night time students. Takes a little longer, but if I do that and then pass the exam, I will be an RN. I say this because all of the accelerated BSN (2d degree) programs I've seen require that you already be an RN. Interesting ....

Thanks again.

Those BSN 2nd degree are most likely the RN (ASN) to BSN programs. Those are for RN's with an associates degree to get there bachelor's degree in nursing.That is not what the other post were talking about. They were talking about programs that are for people that have a bachelor's degree in something else besides nursing and are trying to become an RN. Accelerated BSN programs.

Here are a few accelerated BSN programs in your state

USA College of Nursing - Accelerated BSN/MSN

Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing @ Samford University

Traditional BSN Accelerated Alternative - College of Nursing & Allied Health | Accelerated Alternative | University of North Alabama