What would it take to get an RN license at this point in my life?

Question

Thanks for taking interest in my question. I

'm currently 42 and have worked for the same company for 20 years in Pharmaceutical marketing. By the time I'm 50 (maybe sooner) I'm going to want to change careers and work more directly with patients. I have a BS in Biology/Microbiology and a Master of Science in Bacteriology/Public Health.

I know I'll make less money but it will mark a new phase in my career. Just curious about what it will take to get from where I am to where I want to be.

As additional detail, I want the flexibility of shifts that nursing offers and the absence of business travel - I have a disabled son who will require more of my time during the days after he turns 21 and is no longer in the school system.

Answer 1

Since you already hold a bachelor's degree, what you want to look for is what is often called an "accelerated BSN" program. It's designed specifically for people who hold a BA / BS in another field. You just take the nursing core courses, which usually will take two years, and you earn your BSN.

There's a very heterogenous group of students in nursing programs these days. Many "non-traditional" students including people who previously had a different career, men, minorities, etc. If you think nursing is a career you will enjoy, then go for it! It's never too late. When I graduated, the oldest person turned 60 right before we were done.

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

I'd go for the associate's degree in nursing--takes around 2 years full-time study. You will have met all pre-reqs HOWEVER they will be stupid at the college and say when you have not taken a course within x years that it no longer counts. SOMETIMES you can get them to pull their heads out of that "requirement," other times you can't. (I mean retaking English, not objecting to retaking a 20-year-old SCIENCE course where there have been real advancements.)

I'd recommend checking into the local CCs and seeing if they have a nursing program and what their requirements are. Start nibbling away at any and all pre- and co-requisite courses so you can concentrate on nursing.

If you have a choice, a ladder program is a good choice in case you become injured--you could still end up with an LVN/LPN degree. Wish I had done that (my back quit before I finished the RN).

Alternatively, if this doesn't pan out for any reason, see if there is a PA--Physician Assistant--program out there you could attend. There are different amounts of time that can take and you will get a lot of patient contact, though it is NOT nursing care that you do. Just sounds like a reasonable alternative for you.

You may need to apply to a nursing program NOW even if you don't want to go for a year or more because MANY of them use a waiting list and you can sit on the list two years before you can enroll. You need to find all these ins and outs out NOW so you don't get held up by other people's failure to plan correctly. (We have a nursing SHORTAGE, keeping people waiting is ridiculous. Too often if they'd offer NIGHT courses and such, they could get rid of the waiting list, but the full-time instructors don't like to do nights and the admin accommodates that position.)

Good luck!

Answer 3

As Jill has already suggested, your best choice would be to try to get into an accelerated BSN program. With your previous degrees you certainly have the prerequisites for the programs. Additionally, as you have the MPH/Bacteriology, a BSN would allow you to work in the public health arena as a nurse epidemiologist or other form of public health nursing. These jobs are not available if you attend an associate degree program. Also, many hospitals would want your expertise as an infection control nurse, on any shift, or nurse epidemiologist.

There are many options for a person with your background.

Answer 4

Some of your college credits may transfer to a nursing program. Without any credits, it generally takes 4 years to become an RN. Some hospitals require a master's in nursing. Once you get your degree, you then must pass the state board exam. Nursing schools are highly competitive these days.

Answer 5

Simply put, it is never too late to become an RN. I know of a man who in his 40's became a nurse, and is a really good one to boot. If you want to do it, DO IT!

Chris
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