Aspiring Nurse

BellasMommyOBRN · Oct 21, 2008

is your daughter's name isabella by any chance? :) start taking pre-req classes for the nursing program that is at your local community college. try to do well in the science courses as they tend to be most important to some programs. i would also suggest maybe 1 or 2 classes for your first semester just to get your feet wet.

it's probably going to be a difficult journey (as it is for most of us) but do like me....remind yourself that it's for your little angel. you want to give her not only the things she needs, but a role model to show her what hard work can bring to the table

good luck!!

Lajimolala, BSN, RN, NP · Oct 21, 2008

The best thing to do is to make an appointment with a counselor. While there, ask them what nursing programs are offered and by who? Ask about other ADN or BSN programs offered locally and ask what the prerequesites are. Keep in mind though, that I found that counselors have limited knowledge about other schools' program--what they know is pretty general, so even when you have some questions answered, it's very important to do your own research and make sure you are on top of this. When I was speaking to a counselor at my local cc, she was unaware that the BSN program at the state university changed their policy and was only taking Fall applicants only. I just took her word for it that they take Spring applicants, and a year and a half later (after completeing nearly all prereqs), I was told I had to wait to another six months before I can apply for the following Fall. Sucks.

But anyway, hope this helps and good luck!

Allterrainnurse · Oct 21, 2008

You can check in the community college what are the pre-requirements courses, and then take 2 or 3 courses per semester. The community college might offer different options (online courses, flex time courses, etc). The flex time courses only lasts 2 months or less. You can take one "easy" class and a harder one in one semester. There are many options for you.

peytonsmom · Oct 21, 2008

Definetly look around at several schools before you choose one. I went back to the school I completed my AA degree at back in '02 and found that they wouldn't even accept half of their OWN classes towards the nursing program when another local CC would take them. I also checked into a 4 year university and found that in my area I could finish my BSN before I could get my ADN at the local CC's since their programs are so full.

So long story short, definetly shop around for schools, look at their tuition costs, but also what kind of GPA you need, what classes will transfer from your previous college, and what kind of wait list you're looking at.

I'll be 26 in December and am finishing up my first semester back at school. I work FT, have a 3 year old son and a 26 year old husband that counts as a 2nd child most days. :) So easy it is not, but its worth it so I work my tush off. I was a little unnerved to see that I was one of the "older" students in some of my general ed classes (seriously, how did I end up in the classes w/ all the 18 & 19 year olds?? lol) but the classes that are on the core prereq sheet for nursing like A&P, Micro etc I found a lot of people my age and even a bit older so I don't quite feel SO out of the loop.

The nice thing about going back to school as a mom is that you have a lot of motivation to do well. You're being a role model for your daughter that you CAN do anything you want if you put your mind to it and that you should always follow your dreams. I hope that when my son is older he'll realize how hard his mom worked to make her dreams come true and will do the same in his life.

IaCountryGirl · Oct 21, 2008

I would first suggest starting by comparing all the schools. IF you decide to continue your degree beyond ADN, you want to make sure that classes you take transfer. Example....the CC here transfer to Universities and private schools but the other small schools (not sure what you call them, Hamilton is one of them) does not. I am taking classes with a girl who had to retake all the anatomy and stuff because the CC would not accept the other schools courses.

Next you will need to apply to the school you want and do all the admissions/enrollment stuff. Speak to an advisor if you really need help. Then decide if you want to go full time or part time.

I highly recommend taking extra classes that aren't required but will help you. Pharmacology is not required at my school but I am taking it this year anyway because medication is something comes with the territory of nursing.

To eliminate traveling to the school everyday, I take what I can online then take one class that I can't at the school. But online learning is not for everyone.

mama_d, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2008

My state's board of nursing has a very user-friendly list of all approved nursing programs in the state; I found it invaluable when trying to decide where to go back to school for my RN (I'm currently a LPN). I started out by making a list of all the schools within reasonable driving distance, then ones which were within doable but not reasonable driving distance, then checking out all their websites. Since I plan on going on for my BSN at a specific school already (they have an outreach program at my facility) it helped narrow it down as to where credits would and would not transfer from.

Once you know where you want to go, make up a semester-by-semester plan for what courses you want to take when, keeping in mind which courses are only offered in the fall/every 2 years/whatever. I also made a list of what courses I needed that were offered online so that I could have semesters where I took one or two online classes with one or two onsite classes to increase flexibility.

Keep the counselor for the nursing program up to date on what you're doing, they are the ones in the best position to help you ensure that you're on track.