Starting my Pre-reqs in Oregon.

[Heidi_Tink]

Hi everyone,

I'm a single mom, my boys are 13 and 8 I am planning on starting school at a community college at the end of the month and I am starting to feel really scared. I am 29 years old never went to high school and got my GED right before I had my oldest son at 16. I have always had a dream to become a nurse and now that my kids are a little older I thought it was an ok time to start. I work full time right now at a chiropractic office and will have to go down to part time and I am hoping that student loans can help off set the loss of income. I am just curious to hear other people's stories and see if there are any other single moms out there that have done this and succeeded. Are nursing schools part time or only full time? I am just wondering if I will still be able to work part time at the job I have now or will I have to find something else that is at night? How hard is it to get jobs in Oregon once you have graduated? I also have a dui on my records from 5 years ago and some thing from when I was a teenager as well is that going to make it to hard for me. Any advice or hearing your stories will help me thanks!!!:)

[PNW0212]

Congratulations on setting a goal! You are absolutely NOT too old, 29 is nothing! There are people who start nursing who may be well into their 50's or 60's. I am not a mother, but I'll give you the best info I can.

First off, I would sit down and speak with your advisor. If you call the school, tell them what program you want to do, they will assign you a counselor. Talk with the counselor about any and all questions you have, including your DUI and anything like that. I'm sure you'll be fine, as long as you have never been negligent or abusive with anyone. Violence is what turns most nursing programs away.

Get your CNA license. If you don't know what that is, look it up and a CNA's job description. It's a tough job with pretty low pay, but is excellent experience before nursing and many nursing programs like to see CNA experience on applications (such as at a nursing home.)

Student loans will help a bunch, just try and work as much as you can while in school and still being a good momma :-)

There a a few schools that offer full or part time nursing. Many ADN (associate degree in nursing) at community colleges give that option. Full time is 2 years, part time 3 years. In case you're unsure, with an ADN degree, you still get your RN at the end. A BSN (bachelor in nursing) is also 2 years, but with a bachelors degree you are able to manage, get paid better, and be more likely to get a job at a hospital. There is an RN to BSN "bridge" program which would allow those who get an ADN to finish and get a BSN.

I'm not sure about the job market for nurses in Oregon, but I'm just north in Washington and the job market is pretty good, especially for those who have their BSN. There are many hospitals and nursing care facilities, always in need of nurses.

You can do it if you are motivated and determined! I knew a mother who was a full time nursing student at Washington State University in the BSN program, has 4 kids and worked part time. She drank lots of coffee. :-) Hard work pays off, it is definitely worth it! Good luck!