Urgent... Nursing vs accounting degree?

[nybsn]

Ok im about to be 32, married, have a 2 yr old, and work full time at a hospital. I have an AA degree in liberal arts/speech that includes most nursing prereqs. I did A&P 1 and 2, psych intro, sociology intro, math statistics, psych lifespan development to name a few.

I think all im missing is chemistry, micro, nutrition, and pathphysiology.

Heres the deal...I had tried a pre nursing medicine/math class 2 years ago and was failing miserably in it. I had to drop it before it was too late. So i go discouraged about nursing and finished my AA in liberal arts/speech pathology.

After taking 3 speech classes now i decided this is not for me. Its like learning another language. So i dropped the 3rd class back in september. Since then i been thinking either finishing up a BS in accounting or nursing.

Accounting because everyone knows me for being good with budgeting, saving money, and calculating paychecks/taxes. I figure if i get certified in medical billing/coding and get a BS in accounting, i could be onto something good career-wise. I wouldn't do public accounting, i would stick to private. Work life balance is important to me but i hear that is more possible with nursing as opposed to accounting.

Nursing because it makes sense with my background. I have 9 yrs experience in patient care as an EMT and now as a patient care technician. I work with RNs and i been through all the blood, poop, vomit, working holidays/nights. I like the hospital setting and i like being stimulated both physically and mentally, sometimes im charting and sometimes im doing hands on stuff, i like the variety, its fun and goes by quick.

Tuition isnt a big concern for me because im part of a union. They pay 6 credits for public colleges and $300 per credit for private colleges. I have no debt right now because i earned my AA thru public college. However, i would have to go private for nursing unfortunately due to the waitlists for public BSN programs :/

Here's my real concerns:

1. I work full time and have a family. That means i would have to do BSN part time (even if few classes are online) or dont do it at all. I know of one part time program in Manhattan but if they dont take me i guess im screwed, because it seems like every other BSN program offering only full time expects you to be either unemployed or living at home with mom and dad. BS in accounting i can do part time AND online as well.

2. Time. Im 32. I would spend 2017 finishing my prerequisites and possibly entering a BSN in fall or spring 2018. Part time, i would finish maybe spring 2021 at the latest? I will be 36. I hear nursing school is hard too. Being that i have a wife and kid, would it be a bad idea even if on a part time level? BS in accounting can be done before 2021.

3. Science classes and medicine math. Like i said. I failed/withdrew a prenursing class for medicine math, that has me doubting myself again. But what if i could succeed this time? Then there's science classes. Im not crazy about them, i can pass them but through gritted teeth. I passed A&P 1 with C+ and part 2 with a B. I don't know if thats a good sign or bad sign for nursing.

Sorry for going on and on but had to get that out. What do you guys suggest? Next spring im signed up for 1 nursing prereq (Microbiology) and 2 accounting/business classes (accounting principles part 1, and micro economics). I havent paid for any of them yet but based on the replies i get here, i will either drop one or the other depending what major i choose.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

You let one class hold you back? That seems extreme. Especially considering that if not nursing, you want to go into accounting.

No one can tell you what to do with your future. You have to figure out what you want.

I will say that if you don't like science, and want/need to work full time during nursing school, it might not be the correct choice for you. But again, only you know that.

Good luck.

[nybsn]

Well, it was a medication class (not part of the actual program, but a prerequisite) which is a critical part of a nurse's job. So I figured if I'm not passing the quizzes in it, then I probably wouldn't be a good nurse. I studied it as much as I could so I don't understand. We were given a measly 45 minutes to take each quiz and I was taking my time with it, maybe that had something to do with it? I don't know. I have been thinking about giving this program another shot though.

So you're saying full time work is a no no for nursing school. What if the nursing school offers part-time? Would you still not recommend it?

[quarterlifemess, ADN, RN]

"Accounting because everyone knows me for being good with budgeting, saving money, and calculating paychecks/taxes." This is the same as saying you like helping people and thus want to be a nurse. All are very basic qualities that should not be the sole basis of a career decision.

1. Loads of people who have families complete full-time BSN programs. Even single parents. Things are different/'tight' for a few years but it's better than dragging it out.

2. Time will pass regards of what you do. You will be 36 whether you are a practicing accountant or just passing the NCLEX.

3. The science prereqs are the basis for nursing school and practice. If you already dropped the med math class, why not just self-study and retake the class? You already know what to expect. If you know you will be timed for 45 minutes, then time yourself while you practice.

What does your wife think?

Personally, I start nursing school next fall. Previously, after a lot of major changes, I settled as a marketing major. I had taken the easy way out because everyone expected me to be some type of business major. I was miserable and unmotivated and it showed on my transcript. I took some time off and had a self-intervention about the trajectory of my life. I did not consult with anyone (including a long-term boyfriend) when I made the decision to become a nurse although I have many nurses in my family. It was a decision that had to be made on my own, based on my circumstances and life goals.

[FutureNurseInfo]

From your long post I only got one thing: you have no clear and strong desire to be a nurse. It seems like you could either do accounting or nursing, but you may not be successful based on your own perception and the fact that the sciences are "not crazy about". Also, you are taking both pre-nursing courses as well as accounting ones. I am asking, why? Why don't you pick one path and follow it? Honestly, I feel like nobody can tell you what the right path for you to take, unless you know it yourself. It is like parents telling their kid to go for business, while the kid wants to be a nurse. So, the kid goes to school for business, graduates, gets a job and hates it, and then blames the parents for it. Like I said, figure out what your heart desires more: accounting or nursing.

[nybsn]

I think you misread. I have not been taking any accounting classes previously. I have an AA degree with prereqs that fit comfortably into most majors including nursing.

What i said was that I signed up for my first 2 accounting classes for spring 2017 but i also signed up for 1 nursing prereq that i havent took yet as well.

If i decide nursing i will drop the 2 accounting classes or vice versa. Theyre not paid for yet and i have until january 10th.

I had to sign up for them now because the class times i selected are convenient for me. I dont want to sign up late and be stuck with a evening class because i work evenings.

With that said... So what perspective should i be looking at this from? I mean how exactly does one determine whether your heart is in either major or not? I already know there are aspects that i like about both and one of them (nursing) im more personally familiar with than the other. I work with RNs, i see what they go through, im used to blood, poop, vomit, helping and caring for others, and all that comes with this type of environment. But is that enough? Im not sure.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

We cannot make this decision for you. You have to have a sit down with yourself and maybe other people but you have to make the decision for yourself. It seems like either decision would make you happy. Your age doesn't matter, there were older women in my LVN program & some of them went on to get their RN.

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

My first undergrad is in business (finance). Keep in mind that the math application problems in accounting are far more difficult and complex than dosage calculations or any math problems in nursing. Business majors typically need to take 1 calculus and 2 statistics courses.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

Well, it was a medication class (not part of the actual program, but a prerequisite) which is a critical part of a nurse's job. So I figured if I'm not passing the quizzes in it, then I probably wouldn't be a good nurse. I studied it as much as I could so I don't understand. We were given a measly 45 minutes to take each quiz and I was taking my time with it, maybe that had something to do with it? I don't know. I have been thinking about giving this program another shot though.

So you're saying full time work is a no no for nursing school. What if the nursing school offers part-time? Would you still not recommend it?

I think that's a pretty big assumption - it could be that it just wasn't a good fit with the teacher. If you want to be a nurse, take a few more pre-requisites and see how you like them.

People do work and attend nursing school, so it can be done. You just have to work hard.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

My opinion may go against the grain...however, the OP is in NYC. The situation is dismal for new grad RNs in NYC due to recent hospital closures, mergers, and too many new nurses being pumped into the local employment market.

The accounting career pathway, however, looks enticing.