Hi everyone! I’m 25F and seriously considering changing career paths into nursing, but I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the different routes and would really appreciate advice, especially from people in California. I come with 0 Medical background.
I currently have no medical/nursing background or science prerequisites. I’m a licensed esthetician and have always been interested in skincare/dermatology, but I’m also interested in pediatrics, pulmonary, women’s health/gynecology and aesthetics. Long term, I would love to become an NP, although I’m open-minded about what specialty I’d eventually choose.
I currently have a stable corporate job with great benefits, but I don’t see myself wanting to stay in this industry long term. I’m also almost finished with an AA in Communications and had planned on continuing toward my bachelor’s, but now I’m questioning putting more time/money into Communications when nursing is something I’m much more interested in.
One of my biggest things is that I’d really prefer to avoid the traditional community college route if possible. Navigating separate prerequisites, applying to impacted programs, waiting for acceptance, etc. is overwhelming to me. I’d rather attend a structured private/career-style program where I can follow a set curriculum from beginning to end, even if it costs more.
A friend recommended I start as an LVN, so I’m currently comparing:
LVN → work as LVN → LVN-to-RN/ADN → RN → BSN → eventually NP
vs.
Private ADN → RN → work as RN → RN-to-BSN → eventually NP
The direct ADN route sounds more appealing because I could potentially skip LVN, but I’m worried about spending a lot on a private ADN and later finding out my degree/credits aren’t accepted by reputable RN-to-BSN programs. On the other hand, I’m wondering if LVN first would give me an easier introduction to nursing and allow me to start working sooner.
I’m also struggling with confidence in myself academically. I’ve never been a great test taker, and hearing how difficult the sciences, nursing exams and NCLEX are scares me. Part of me worries I’ll spend all this money and then find out I’m not capable of doing it. I’m willing to work hard, but I’d love to hear from anyone who entered nursing school feeling similarly and still succeeded.
And I know this probably sounds silly, but I also keep thinking I’m already 25 and starting from zero. When I think about how long it could take to eventually become an NP, I worry that I’m starting too late.
I’d really appreciate advice on:
• LVN → RN or direct ADN → RN if you were starting from scratch in California?
• Has anyone done a private ADN without completing a bunch of prerequisites separately at community college first?
• Were you able to move from a private ADN into a reputable RN-to-BSN program afterward?
• Any Southern California private nursing programs you’d recommend or avoid?
• How long did your route take and approximately how much did you spend?
• If you started as an LVN, are you happy you did or do you wish you’d gone straight for RN?
• Anyone who started nursing at 25+ or considered themselves a bad test taker — how did it turn out for you?
I’d also love to hear from RNs/NPs in pediatrics, pulmonary, women’s health, dermatology or aesthetics about how you found your specialty.
I’m not looking for the fastest sketchy shortcut. I just want a legitimate path where I can become an RN, start working, continue to my BSN and eventually pursue NP without limiting my options later.
Any advice or things you wish you knew before starting would be really appreciated. 🤍
