I am a board certified nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist in adult psychiatric and mental health nursing. Ask me questions about how to pick nursing as your second career at the basic and advanced levels of practice. And if you are a man interested in a career in nursing, I can give you my insights on that as well if you identify yourself as a male in your question. Attention students: I will not answer homework questions.
Experience At age 45, I decided to switch careers from engineering to psychiatric and mental health nursing. My journey and decision process can serve as an example to others trying to discern their call into a helping profession.
I am working as a psych NP for a community mental health center and also leading a team of case managers and registered nurses who visit our patients in their homes.
Organizations American Psychiatric Nurses Association
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Ohio Nurses Association Gerontological Society of America
Awards and Honors 2006 Janssen Scholar, American Psychiatric Nurses Association
Question Hi John
I have always wanted to be a nurse. I am one college class away from getting my general education associates degree. Will that count toward getting some sort of nursing degree? I am a divorced mother of 4 who now has to finish her education and begin a career at age 51. Thanks! Marie
Answer Hi, Marie!
Thanks for picking me to answer our questions.
You certainly are a brave person. I congratulate you on knowing what you want and going for it.
I suspect that your general education associates degree would indeed count toward getting a nursing degree. Because you will have to do two years of clinicals in either an associate's or bachelor's degree nursing program, I would recommend that you look at a bachelor's degree nursing program in your area. Contact the admissions counselors in the college of nursing and have them evaluate your experiences against their requirements. There may be scholarship monies available for women returning to the workforce, too, so make sure you ask about financial aid and scholarships.
Let me know what you find out! And best of luck for your continued success in your new career...
