31-yr-Old Needs Advice on Career Change to Nursing

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I hope that I'm posting in the right place. I could use advice more than I ever have. If anyone can help me out, I would appreciate it more than I could say.

I'm 31 years old, and single, and am working at an investment bank in New York city, in a job in the marketing department. I don't care about the job. I got it through a connection with a friend of my father's. I started six months ago. I had been living in New Mexico, studying in a graduate program on Eastern classics. I moved back to NY when the program was finished. I felt like it was the right thing to do. I missed my parents.

On my second day at work, my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Nothing had ever been more devastating. That was on the 31st of October. She died three months later, the first week of February. The nurses who cared for her made me think of all of the nurses I'd ever known, and admired.

Her passing has made me reassess everything. I no longer want to be at my job in the city. It only feels like a waste of time. Becoming a nurse is what I'd like to learn about doing now. I've read about accelerated BSN degrees, and Associate's programs. Having had no experience in nursing, I don't feel sure about how I would best go about becoming one.

Let's say, hypothetically, I've done thorough enough groundwork to give me the sense, and the confidence, that nursing is what I want to do. What, then, would be the steps I should take in earning a BSN? (I would like to leave my job in the city as soon as I get the chance. It gives me time for nearly nothing in my life.)

With the free time that I do have, I will be seeing if the hospital near me has volunteer opportunities, or nurse-shadowing opportunities, to do on Saturdays or Sundays.

I realize that I would probably have to take prerequisite courses in the sciences before I could get into a BSN, or ASN, program. I really hope to start moving with pursuing this soon. I just need to get an idea of what the best course of action someone like me would, or should, take. Next to further reading, correspondence, volunteering, and informational interviewing, would it be prudent, once I am sure of it, to leave my job and begin the prerequisite classes at the local community college in Fall 2008, if not Winter 2009, and work part-time locally?

Maybe an easier way for me to ask this question, and spare the story above, is: what would the fastest way for a 31-yr-old single guy with no dependents and no previous background in nursing or the sciences, but with a bachelor's degree in the humanities, be to become an RN?

I look forward to hearing from anyone here who could give me advice on what I should do. Thanks so much...

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I am sorry to hear about your Mom's passing. I went to nursing school right out of high school, so I don't know the fastest way to do it, but good luck to you.....

I know an ADN takes 2 years....

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

maybe an easier way for me to ask this question, and spare the story above, is: what would the fastest way for a 31-yr-old single guy with no dependents and no previous background in nursing or the sciences, but with a bachelor's degree in the humanities, be to become an rn?

first of all, i am very sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. my condolences.

have you looked into accelerated bsn programs? they're pretty intense, but also a relatively fast track.

wish you the best!

jess

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Specializes in Triage, MedSurg, MomBaby, Peds, HH.

First let me say I'm sorry for your loss.

The very first thing that came to mind for you is this really innovative program Yale has going. It's for those with a Bachelor's in an unrelated discipline...like you.

In three years, you have your nursing degree BUT it's not just another Bachelor's degree for you; it's a Master's. The best thing is that the prereqs are built right in.

Here's the link if you're interested:

http://nursing.yale.edu/Academics/GEPN/

Another option would be an accelerated BSN (I think NYU has one) but I think you'd still spend about a year and a half doing the prerequisites beforehand and it would be another Bachelor's.

Yale's not that far from New York so you could be near your family. It's something I would consider if I were in your circumstances.

My very best wishes to you.

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Hi there, first of all, I'm so sorry about your mom. I can't imagine how hard that has been. I wanted to respond, because I'm in a similar situation as you....

The first thing you should do (IMO) is check with the area schools that you would like to attend. Usually they have most of their info online that you can at least look at. Typically there are informational sessions that you can attend and they will answer all/most of your questions.

Secondly, once you decide which school fits you the best, you can make an appt with an admissions counselor and they can help you figure out which courses you will need for the program you decide on.

It's so different for each school, that it's really hard to say. But I would start there.

I have been volunteering for 2 years now and it's been great experience. I don't have any real "patient" contact... but I have learned so much since I started. I feel really comfortable when I'm at the hospital, I know the nurses and aides, I know where things go, what they are called, what they look like, etc... and I HEAR just about everything that goes on while I'm there. It's been really great... if you have the ability to volunteer, I would really recommend it. It is great experience, and you feel good about doing something too.

Good luck! Let us know what you decide to do!

Take care!

Jen

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Do a search for either NLNAC or CCNE. These are the accrediting organizations. They will list schools out based upon program types they offer.

An Accelerated BSN will likely be fastest, but be prepared to pay for that effeciency. I know Johns Hopkins in Baltimore has one that is 13 months (and not many pre req's...) but will tally close to 60k. Direct Entry Master's programs are good also because you will end up with a MSN in usually two years or less (after pre req's). Closer to home, University of Pennsylvania (Penn) has several options also. As an above poster said, NYU and Columbia both do also, I believe.

I wish you the best in your new direction and wanting to impact other families the way that you were. You have a lot of reserach to do, but the good news is that there are so many options and you will certainly find one that fits your lifestyle and desires.

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Coming from a similar situation, I can give some recommendations on the course to take. I had a bachelor's in music, with very little science before I went back to school at 34. I would personally look into an associates degree, perhaps at a community college. The MSN direct entry is perhaps nice, but with an advanced degree, you would be perhaps setting yourself up for issues finding work, but with no experience.

I personally am in a regular BSN program, but wish I had taken an ASN course instead, then done the RN-BSN program, which for most colleges is online.

Anyway, long story longer, look into ASN programs.

Richard

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Coming from a similar situation, I can give some recommendations on the course to take. I had a bachelor's in music, with very little science before I went back to school at 34. I would personally look into an associates degree, perhaps at a community college. The MSN direct entry is perhaps nice, but with an advanced degree, you would be perhaps setting yourself up for issues finding work, but with no experience.

I personally am in a regular BSN program, but wish I had taken an ASN course instead, then done the RN-BSN program, which for most colleges is online.

Anyway, long story longer, look into ASN programs.

Richard

Thanks for your input, Richard. It does seem like an ASN program may be a good way to start. Do you know if there are prerequisites to getting into most ASN programs? Why do you wish that you started off in an ASN program as opposed to the BSN?

Thanks again for your insight.

-Ryan

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The nice thing is that you don't have to decide hard and fast right now. There are some pretty universal pre req's-Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology/Patho, Intro Psych, and usually a Chemistry and Developmental Psych.

Once you begin taking those, you will get a better feel for these answers. For example, before beginning I did all my research, attended open houses and decided on the ASN to rn to bsn afterwards. Now, as I finish up my pre req's I have changed my mind and am applying also for the big University BSN program. What has changed? My confidence level, my interest level in certan aspects of nursing (for example- I LOVED Micro and and thinking now that I might be more inclined to the public health/epidemiological aspects), I am very drawn to the urban community health clinics that the University students have the opportunity to do clinicals in.

All that to say, you can always shift a little once you begin. Just begin!

Best wishes!

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Thanks for your input, Richard. It does seem like an ASN program may be a good way to start. Do you know if there are prerequisites to getting into most ASN programs? Why do you wish that you started off in an ASN program as opposed to the BSN?

Thanks again for your insight.

-Ryan

most prereqs are universal, mostly the harder sciences and the gen ed courses. I wish I had started in the ASN, because, already having a bach, I could already be working more than likely, rather than having another full year of classes before I can test.

Richard

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
most prereqs are universal, mostly the harder sciences and the gen ed courses. i wish i had started in the asn, because, already having a bach, i could already be working more than likely, rather than having another full year of classes before i can test.

richard

the problem with adns in my area is the waiting lists for clinicals. there aren't many clinical instructors, and with a good handful of nursing schools in the area who go to the same hospitals, a lack of clinical sites as well. this is what makes our associates programs last quite a while. i suggested the accelerated bsn because there are no waiting for clinicals...everything is completed rather quickly (aside from the pre-reqs of course, but those would have to be taken either way).

i didn't realize that different regions have different resources (duh!) i suppose before the op chooses, he should scope out different schools in his region (and beyond, if he wants that) so he can give himself a timeframe and choose better.

jess

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Thanks again, Richard. That's helpful to know. Best of luck to you in your final year in the BSN.

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