Honest opinion: is this a stupid idea?

no it's not stupid. as long as you can afford it, a lot of people have a change in heart in what they want to do later in life and don't know about it until they read something, see something, or something happens to them.

instead of going back to school, have you considered the military?

they have healthcare jobs where they will pay to train you and help you earn experience. since you have a college degree, you could consider trying for officer's training. if you enlist, you can start out as a Specialist in the Army, or equivalent rank in other branches with your degree.

browse the military's branches websites to see what healthcare jobs they offer. you can work in the military for four to six years depending on your job, and either continue to serve after your first contract, or leave to find a job back in the civilian world.

the military offers continuing education and travel opportunities to service members with the GI Bill to use after you complete your contract honorably and to be assigned to various bases around the world.

the websites will give you an idea if you qualify medically and legally, but only talking to a recruiter will be able to tell you if you are or not. they may be able to grant some waivers on a case by case basis.

a lot of people join the military to learn a new skill, use the education benefits when they're done, want the opportunity to travel, or just to serve there country. each military branch has their own health care type jobs, so start by browsing each one and visit the recruiters to get more info. they will tell you the next steps in the enlistment process or if you want to try for officer's training.


good luck.

I would not call it stupid. Your economics degree may have been a waste of money and time, but if you like children then it's worth the next 18 months to be happier the rest of your life.

Also you could maybe find a job that mixes the two degrees. it's unlikely but possible

it's not stupid, but most accelerated bsn programs have prerequisites

Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2
Microbiology
Lifespan Developmental Psychology
General Chemistry (at least one semester)
Statistics


some have more prerequisites
Nutrition
Organic Chemistry
Pharmacology
Pathophysiology

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so look around
there are many, many schools that have those kinds of programs

Yale calls theirs GEPN - Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing
http://nursing.yale.edu/gepn

the great thing about Yale's program is that is has NO prerequisites

the 'bad' thing is their accelerated program is part of a 3 year program that leads to a Masters degree in nursing

so after the accelerated first year you do NOT get a bachelors in nursing
but you do get a certificate and you get to take the NCLEX and become an RN

from the website:
"The curriculum and Certificate in Nursing satisfy Connecticut General Statute requirements, allowing the student to become eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination–Registered Nurse (NCLEX–RN)."

then you can work part time as you continue on and get your masters in a specialty -- one of which is pediatric nursing
http://nursing.yale.edu/masters-specialties

Hi Antonella

Situations like yours occur more often than you think. Go right ahead and enroll in the BSN program - nobody at the nursing school will be surprised.

Good luck

Your situation describes perfectly one of the reasons so many medical schools have added accelerated RN/BSN programs. Many people find themselves with degrees, but unable to get a job.
Even with a nursing degree, you will probably have to begin working in a rehab facility or on the overnight shift at a hospital. It is difficult to get a good RN job without experience. But, you CAN get a job and the salary is decent. Furthermore, after you become established, you can pursue a specialty, such as a nurse anesthetist, maternity nursing/midwifery, or psychiatric nursing.
Go for the nursing degree. You will never regret it.