[RN2bforthebabies]

First of all my name is Angelica and I am 22 years old. I am not a RN but I want to be one really bad, and one day work in the NICU! It really is a passion for me. Last year I started school, I am currently pursuing my Associates in Health Administration, I am doing this online because it is what works for me at the moment. I am a stay at home mom of a 2 year old girl who is my life!
I have a lot of questions for anybody here who can help me. Is this degree going to help me at all? What would I need to do after graduating from school to become a RN? How hard is it to become a RN? I am willing to do anything, I ask this question because I have heard that you have to be good at math to be a RN, and I am not good at it so that REALLY worries me! I know that I cannot become a RN online, the problem right now is that I can't go to "regular" school at the moment because I can't afford day care, and have nobody who can help me taking care of my daughter, plus we are having very bad car problems! Hopefully we will do better financially!

Do you have any information that can help me at all? I really need to know something, I want to be a RN and work with all of this babies that need so much help in the NICU, it is truly a dream for me, that will hopefully come true one day!
Thanks in Advance and thanks for all of you who are able to help so many babies, you guys do an amazing job, you guys are angels for all of these babies!

[Jolie]

Angelica, your passion comes thru the screen loud and clear! May I ask how you became so interested in neonatal nursing? Did your daughter spend time in the NICU? If so, she must have had wonderful nurses who left a tremendous impression on you!

Now, on to your questions: First of all, education is NEVER wasted! I don't know that an Associates Degree in Health Administration will help you in pursuing your ultimate goal of becoming a NICU nurse, but it will give you a sound knowledge base of the healthcare system, and a unique perspective on how that system influences nursing care.

Nursing school is an all-consuming endeavor. Some students are able to complete their education while caring for families, holding jobs, etc., but all will say that it isn't easy, and most will admit that something was lost in the process (family time suffered, grades were not the best, etc.) I would strongly encourage you to begin researching nursing programs, taking pre-requisites one or two courses at a time, and plan to enter nursing school when your daughter is in school full-time herself. She won't be little for long, and unless you have no other option (financially), I would strongly encourage you to reserve this time for her.

Good luck as you pursue your plans!

[RN2bforthebabies]

JOLIE- Thank you very much for all of your advice! My daughter was not in the NICU, thank God she was and still is very healthy! I had a healthy pregnancy, but ended up having an emergency C-section because her heart beat was too low.
I always wanted to help others, and I would love to give my all to those little ones who need so much care! I just know that I can do this, I wish to do this very bad.... I just have so many questions, like I said I am willing to do whatever I have to do! I know the time will come when I can go to school and get my RN degree, hopefully it won't be long! Thanks for your answer!

[sddlnscp]

Hi Angelica! I too dream of one day working in a NICU, which is why I am in nursing school. I agree with Jolie and suggest that you start taking pre-reqs as they are many and take a while to get through. You can usually complete them online, so that should help. Start with talking to the nursing school you plan to attend, find out exactly what pre-reqs you need (I have found that all schools vary on their requirements) and how long the waiting list is to get into the school. Some areas have wait-lists as long as 3-5 years, so you could apply now, work on pre-reqs, and then maybe enter when your daughter is older and your financial situation is better. I took all of my pre-reqs through CCCOnline, but I have also heard of people taking them through edukan (you can search both of these and find information on them), just check with your school first to make sure the credits will transfer.

Best of luck and enjoy your little one while she is little. I am one of those people going to nursing school, holding a full-time job, and I have a 20-month daughter and a 4-year old son as well as a wonderful hubby. It is far from easy, but determination can get you there. Just keep your chin up, keep your goals in mind and, most of all, cherish every moment you can with your precious little one.

Let me know if you have any more questions, I would be happy to give you information on the online classes I took as well as any questions you may have about nursing school to the point I'm at so far (about 8 months into my first year of an ADN program).

[JessicaMarie]

hello my name is jessica and i'm writing because i too want to work in the nicu i haven't yet started college but i'm starting in the fall for my nursing degree ... when i was sixteen i had a daughter who was born at 24 weeks and stayed in the nicu for three months i was touched by the work of the nurses who made me feel so at home when i was there because i was there quite often... i might not be able to answer your questions on the nursing aspect but i can answer as many questions as i can for you about being a nicu parent

[midwestcitycp]

Angelica,
I have been a NICU nurse for 33 yrs and still love my work. I do some Nurse advocate programs at my place of employment and recently found a great website, discovernursing.com It might answer some of those questions.