Want to start a second career in Nursing but have many questions

[flaco]

I am not the first and I won't be the last to bring up this topic, however fresh answers would certainly be appreciated.

I am 38 with no prior college coursework, that is to say, I have none of the pre-req's in the bank. Nursing school options are many, however the cost effective schools come with a 2-5 year waiting list and that is AFTER all the pre-req's are completed. Private schools offer (almost) immediate entrance however they come with a price tag of $40k-$120k depending on the program. ASN/BSN.

What are my long term goals?

I would like to "retire" as a traveling nurse. I do not know what area I want to be in, however pediatrics (NICU/PICU) are on the top of my list. (Admittedly, I do not know about traveling programs & if that is an option, but that remains secondary at this point) My daughter is 8 and this gives me 10 years for school & local practice prior to my target date of hitting the road. I do not have a lot of money and I do not like the thought of my daughter and me living in poverty for the next few years just so I can realize my career goals. That said, we are living in poverty now, so I suppose status quo for a few more years won't hurt.

What program/degree is right for me?

The long and short of that one is that I have NO IDEA WHAT-SO-EVER. The problem with talking to several (school) admissions "counselors" is that they have filled my head with more confusion than fact(s).

Am I ultimately wasting my time? (I have a prior narcotics conviction 18+ years ago & expunged):

I have had many conversations with deans, HR managers, and even the State Board. I am confident that my past indiscretions will not preclude me from being licensed, however that is not a foregone conclusion and therefore a risk that I am wasting time and money on an education that I will not be able to put in practice.

So, what are your stories? Do you have experience or insight that would be an asset for me? (or others) Did you complete a program only to realize later that there would have been a better, more cost effective, quicker, &/or less stressful way to reach your goals?

Thanks & I look forward to your thoughts, stories, and opinions.

[newway]

I am in a similar boat, but with the advantage of having a nurse educator as a wife LOL.

First I would get my pre req. at a local community college. They should transfer were ever you decide to go. Lowering the cost if you should decide to go the private route.

Some programs don't have a wait list but rather put you on a point scale to decide (I.E. core gpa, cumulative gpa, and entrance exam) so do good on your pre req. it puts you in a better position to get in.

Second apply to more than one program. It improves your chances of being accepted into one. my wife even tells that to her students. Even the cost of out of district community college is often less than private.

For the privet vs. community college that is something you have to weigh in. figure out the cost of the loan vs. years left to work. No easy answer.

On the last part I simply don't know. I would think the fact that it was expunged would mean they couldn't see it in a background check, so to answer no to that question would be ok. But I am just guessing on that one. Or maybe answer no with the explanation "prior conviction expunged". And make them question you further.

[mmgirlsmom]

I started my nursing school pre-reqs in May of 2008 at the age of 38 with only 3 college credits. I did check the community college but because of the waiting list and the schedule it was not the best route for me. It was also going to take me about 3 years to get an ADN. I decided to attend a private university that offers a weekend and evening program, yes it is more expensive and I have had to take some student loans. I am scheduled to finished my pre-reqs the summer of 2010 and hopefully start the nursing program in the fall of 2010. I attend a private university but they still have a waiting/acceptance list for the program each Fall, they only take a limited number of students so there is no guarantee I will get in next fall and might have to wait, which seems to be the case with most schools recently.

You have to do what works best for you in your situation. Some can attend community college, but for me b/c I work full time the weekend and evening college works best for me and I will graduate with my BSN.

I don't think there is one way that works for everyone it really depends on what other things you have going on in your life. If it is something you really want you will/can make it work. Being older I have much more self dicipline and really enjoy going to school and learning. The classes can be tough but are well worth it. Because the program I attend is weekend/evening most of my classmates are my age and either switching careers or going from a medical assistant and want to be and RN.

You have to do what is best for you and your life, there is no perfect plan sometimes we just have to make it work.

Good luck, don't let your age deter you. Not sure about the past conviction but I would find out before I invested my time and money to only find out no one will hire you.

[CrunchyMama, ASN, RN]

Move to my area, lol. There's no way I would pay that much for school! No way! When all is said and done I'll have paid about $15,000. Good luck with your decision!

[JenMorales]

First, you have to understand that it's different for everyone and you are right by doing some investigation. There are a couple of things I can recommend. First, without looking at cost, check out the different programs thoroughly and then rank them by the one you would most like to attend down to the least. The programs you look at will depend on whether you want an ADN or a BSN. If you are looking at ADN and will eventually go to BSN, find out where the credits of that school will transfer. Check on what kind of simlabs the school has. How many different hospitals do they use for clinicals. If it's a private school, find out if they will accept credits from the local community college.

Now you're armed with your dream program. Look at the costs and determine how much in loans you would have to take out. To do this, fill out a FAFSA and it will tell you what you're eligible for and what your contribution is going to be. Now you have to decide if you'll be able to pay back loans with your goal. If you can, go for it! If not, go to the community college that can transfer credits to your dream program and take your pre-req's, this will save you a tremendous amount on cost. Once you finish your pre-req's re-evaluate and go for it!

I'm attending a private college that offers the pre-reqs with my nursing program. It's expensive, but I took the loans and know I can pay them back when I graduate. Fortunately, I have the help of my boyfriend for living expenses and help with childcare, but if he wasn't around I'd still find a way. I have a job with flexible hours (I'm a home caregiver) and they know I'm going to school and change my hours as needed. Set up a support system to help you with childcare and maybe get a roommate to help with expenses. Many times there are other students in the same boat, talk to people at the schools.

As for your prior legal issue, it was 18 years ago and expunged. I wouldn't worry about it as long as you have had nothing else since. Talk to the state licensing board and find out their policies on it. If it's ok with them, you should be clear. Good luck!

[didi768]

What this country needs is to go back to the olden days where the HOSPITALS themselves train to become RN's. Especially for those of us who are already LPN's. I remember years and years ago, my mom delivered babies and she was a CNA! And that training was probably done right there at the hospital.

If there is such a nursing shortage...hospitals need to step it up and bag all this classroom crap that we will forget anyway! On the job training ROCKS. And speaking of training...I quit all the jobs I get as an LPN, because there "is" no darn training. Once a DON hires you, you are on your own most places!! No wonder there is a shortage!!!!

[elkpark]

What this country needs is to go back to the olden days where the HOSPITALS themselves train to become RN's. Especially for those of us who are already LPN's. I remember years and years ago, my mom delivered babies and she was a CNA! And that training was probably done right there at the hospital.

If there is such a nursing shortage...hospitals need to step it up and bag all this classroom crap that we will forget anyway! On the job training ROCKS. And speaking of training...I quit all the jobs I get as an LPN, because there "is" no darn training. Once a DON hires you, you are on your own most places!! No wonder there is a shortage!!!!

First, there is no shortage.

You are "on your own" in most places because, as a licensed nurse, you are presumed to be competent to perform the standard duties within the scope of practice of your license. That's kinda the point of having the license -- it's (supposed to be) the proof that you have that knowledge and those skills.

"Classroom crap"?????? Even when I attended my hospital-based diploma program to become an RN long ago, we had plenty of "classroom crap." That's what registered nursing is all about, knowledge and how to apply it in any clinical situation, not learning tasks "on the job."

[metfan]

Everybody is different but here is what I did and it worked for me. I was 38 in 2006. I decided to go to a local 10 month LPN program. I worked as a dog groomer while in school. It was tough but when I graduated and passed the NCLEX, I started working at a local LTC facility making pretty decent money. A month after I graduated I started my pre-req's for my RN. I took just one or two classes at a time. I am now in my 4th semester of nursing school and will graduate in May. However, keep in mind that my community college does not have a wait list if you get decent grades. I did not have to wait at all after I finished my pre-req's. They somehow work on a point system. If you get an A you get 4 points, B=3 points etc. This has worked for me. I am also getting valuable life experience as an LPN while in RN school. Also, do not forget scholarships. I have received so many that I don't think I had to pay for any college out of pocket. I am nothing special but I apply for just about everything I qualify for. Colleen

[paacollins]

I agree that clinical time and on-the-job training is the best way to learn but without "classroom crap" you aren't going understand what they are trying to teach you in clinical. It's way smarter to learn and understand blood gases during "classroom crap" than having someone take time out from saving a life in the ED to explain them to you then.