Unhappy with Liberal Arts Degree

[startingoveragain]

I am in a pickle. I graduated from college in 1995 with a degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Psychology and minor in Health Sciences. I am very unhappy because I was rushed out of nursing into something I did not want to do by my over bearing THEN husband. I want to become a nurse so badly and I am so depressed that I am no longer working in the hospitals that I cry. I am slowly getting back on my feet (I'm the mother of 4 including a six month old), I have the support of my wonderful parents while I go through this messy situation. I want to know is there any way for me to go back to school other than starting OVER to earn the degree I so desperately want? Any advice on what I could do to A- get back into health care (I AM A CNA) and B- become a LPN or RN? I can't afford FOUR more years of college. Any help would be great. Thank you.

[norcalRNstudent]

Hang in there, and be greatful to have supportive parents, and to be rid of a loser husband.

With a BA already, many schools offer either a 1 yr to 18 month accelerated BSN, or a 2-3 year accelerated MSN, with no prior nursing experience needed. If those aren't an option in your area, look into local community colleges- take prereqs as you can, and work towards your goal. I have a BA, and just finished my ADN, and you know what? I make the same $$ as a nurse with her BSN, the ADN program just fit my lifestyle better right now. Also keep in mind that in ADN programs, many are more supportive of single moms, older students, students who work, etc... because many of the students in these programs are second-career. I think the median age of my class was 30+, with our youngest 25, and oldest 56.

Put your mind to it, and you can figure out a way.

[justme1972]

You don't have to start over...you can get an accelerated BSN program to be a nurse.

It basically counts your gen-ed as fulfilled, and you will probably have pre-reqs for the nursing major such as Chemistry, Statistics and Anatomy and Physiology.

It is much easier to get your second degree BSN from the school you got your original undergrad from, providing they have a nursing department.

[abundantjoy07, RN]

I would suggest you earn your Associates degree in Nursing (ADN). ADN programs are 2 years and less expensive than the traditional four year degree. You can either become an LVN/LPN or an RN with your ADN. Call around for local technical and community colleges and see what their schedules are and tuition prices. See what they can offer you and make your decision based on that. Good Luck to you! :icon_hug: