What should I do?

I went back to school to finish my pre-reqs for my RN when I was 44 years old and luckily I could still use the classes I completed when I was younger so I only needed to take physiology. My college has a lottery system and I didn't want to wait another 3 to 4 semesters before I get accepted into the RN program so I applied to the LVN program. I'm happy to say that I've recently graduated from my LVN program and I'm studying for my NCLEX, which I hope to take in August. Phase 2 of my studies is to get into the 3rd semester of the RN program at my college and hopefully, I will start this in Spring of 2008.

My friend's daughter in law already had her Bachelor's degree and she went through a 1 year accelerated program at Samuel Merritt in California. She had to take out a loan for $70,000, only went home on the weekend so my friend had to take care of her children. It was a big sacrafice for everyone involved, but she passed her NCLEX a couple of weeks and is now working at a local hospital as an RN.

My advice to you is to talk to a counselor at your college and weigh all of your options.

My advice to you...is to apply to many nursing programs the ones that have accelerated RN degrees...and a lot of schools offer them...even online....and see where that takes you....talk to advisors...see how long the wait will be...and what you have to do...if the process is longer than expected then try the LPN route...but that is really a step backwards that should be your last option....try even...Associte Programs before trying LPN...just because you already have a degree....

I've wanted to be an RN since I was a little girl. Back in 1986 I was accepted into the UMAss nursing program and due to immaturity and poor decision making, I quit the major and went on to something else. Well I'll be 40 next year and I still REALLY want to be a nurse. I have a bachelor's degree and would love to do an accelerated BSN program, but my college grades were embarrassingly low (I barely graduated...did I mention how immature I was?). I know if I did college now, I'd do awesome.

I was thinking about doing an LPN program and then bridging to an RN. I have 3 young kids and I figured I could then work while getting my RN. But the more I read, the more I think it would be better to just go for the RN. But I don't know where to apply...will accelerated BSN programs give people a chance to prove they can do the work? Should I just start taking pre-req's and see what happens?

Any advice anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. I really want this and I think I'd make a great nurse!

Renee

I just graduated from UConn's Undergrad program. There is a program called MbEIN where you come in with a bachelor's degree in anything, do accelerated course and clinical work for a year, and then sit for your NCLEX. Oh, and then work on a Masters in Nursing. I recommend the program, I was already in the undergrad program after finishing my first BS degree when I learned about it.

www.nursing.uconn.edu

The great nurses that I worked with over the years were the nurses who knew on a very deep level that being a nurse is truely who they are. You sound very definite. It can be very difficult to get into nursing programs....I agree that you should apply to as many programs as possible and never give up. The more obstacles you encounter and then tackle--the better nurse you will be.

Good Luck!!!!

Piper12