[2ndGoRound]

I am going to finish up prereqs at OLOL in the spring and I have been planning to apply to either the Nursing program or the Radiologic Tecnology program. My question is, I have the prereqs for both so would it be possible to apply to both? And if so, how would that look...would it be frowned upon?

[Dream_Nurse2b]

I would say, that it may be frowned upon, b/c they may think ,okay this student is not going to be focused in any program, b/c you don't know what you want to do. I know you want to have options ,and a failsafe just in case , but IMHO, you need to make a choice. Which is nearer and dearer to your heart should be first and foremost, and then which will give you the most opportunity.

[2ndGoRound]

Thanks Dream Nurse, that's kind of what I was thinking too...that it would be frowned upon. I start volunteering in a couple of weeks and I am hoping that it will help me to make a final decision (I have until March). Thanks for the input, I appreciate it!

[crescentcitygrrl]

IMHO, if you do not want to be a nurse, you will not succeed in the program, because it is very difficult and designed to weed out those who are just in it for a job. My two cents...

[2ndGoRound]

Crescentcitygrrl, my problem is not that I don't want to be a nurse, my problem, I suppose, is lack of knowledge and hands on experience. Based on what I know about the two career paths and what I have observed, I can see myself in both positions. There are (personal) pros and cons to each. I am hoping that my volunteering will be enough to sway me in one direction. I already have one B.S. degree, a laid back, part time, good paying job, a husband and a 1 year old...believe me, I am not in it just for a job. With the position I am in, I need to take this decision very seriously.

[hs2005]

It is great that you are going to be volunteering. You will have a better idea once you start doing that. I was trying to decide on a career in allied health a while back and I volunteered while taking classes part time. Nursing was never even a consideration, but as I got to interact with the patients and the nurses and learn more about all of the opportunities in nursing, I knew it was for me. I am in nursing school now and know that I made the right decision.

I don't know where you are doing your volunteering, but try to see if they will let you shadow some of the people in different departments as well as get some experience with patient interaction. I think that will help point you in the right direction.

[2ndGoRound]

hs2005, thanks so much! I agree with you completely that the volunteering will give me a whole new perspective on things. I am going to volunteer at OLOL and so far it seems to be just what I need. The lady in charge seems to be very accomodating and allows you to "float" to pretty much any area in the hospital that you are interested in. I am excited, I think it will be good for me.