Becoming a nurse

jencmccutcheon88 · Mar 31, 2014

I forgot to mention I was interested in going for my Associate degree :)

jencmccutcheon88 · Mar 31, 2014

Hi All! I have always wanted to become a rn( interested in associate degree). But the reality is I have 4 boys under the age of 6, a husband who is at work 6 days a week and I don't really have any support system other then my husband. I plan on talking with someone at the college soon but was hoping to post my thoughts and questions here first.

1.) How hard are the Prerequisites? - I wouldn't say I'm super smart, it would be horrible going into this when I could be out of my league.

2.) How many of those classes can be done online?

3.) What exactly happens in nursing school. Meaning is it more hands on work, book work or a mixture between the both?

I would really appreciate some answers and advice. Thanks so much!

allnurses Guide · Mar 31, 2014

Honestly, you have 4 boys under the age of 6 and your husband works 6 days a week so I think you should focus on them and leave nursing aside for now. Maybe when your boys are all in school, you could rethink this.

I didn't go to school until I was 38 and my youngest started 1st grade. It was still hard as the college was 70 miles away. Looking back at how much I was gone from their lives when I started working full-time, I regret not being available to them.

If I could go back and change that, I would. I see now where some things that happened to them did so because both parents were working too much.

Enjoy your boys and worry about nursing later.

jencmccutcheon88 · Mar 31, 2014

I %100 agree with you! My number 1 priority is my husband and children. I apologize I should have made it more clearly of what I was hoping to do. Like I said I don't really have a support system and help with the kids, I don't agree with putting them in day care either. I did however talk to a friend who is a rn that is trying to convenience me to do the Prerequisites now and nursing school later. I suppose I have a little time in the afternoon and night to do some work but have no idea if that's enough. And if it's a lot tougher then I expect is it worth trying it now?

ceebeejay · Mar 31, 2014

All those questions about prereqs are really only something the schools you are looking into can answer. I did my prereqs with kids. Some of them meant I was out one night a week and many of them I did on line. It did take 4 years to complete them! So, there's that. Usually, microbiology and anatomy and physiology will be classes you have to physically be there for the lecture and the labs. That's two to three nights or days a week each class.

jencmccutcheon88 · Mar 31, 2014

ceebeejay it took you 4 years just to complete the prereqs? Just making sure I understand you right. If so, it is because you had a family to look after?

FutureNurseK · Mar 31, 2014

Well I have a 3 and 4 yr old and no husband and work full-time 40hrs per week and have been taking my bsn pre reqs going on 3 YRS and plan on starting the program next August..is there any reason u don't want ur kids in daycare..mine go Mon thru Fri and if it wasn't for that I would struggle a great deal..now how badly do u want to be a nurse? I only take 2 courses per semester work and love the time spent with my babies

dsb_fam · Mar 31, 2014

Hi, I would like to say YOU CAN DO THIS! Your kids are little, so take this time to do pre-reqs. Most of your pre-reqs can be completed online and class work can happen at night or naptime. First step is to pick a few colleges and ask for their pre-reqs. Remember it is better to take one class and get an 'A', than to bust through several and receive a subpar GPA. Take your time and go for a stellar GPA and learn the material.

allnurses Guide · Mar 31, 2014

You can take some pre-reqs but I'd take them one at a time. I had my mom living with us at the time so she could pick the kids up after school. I was usually home by 3:30 p.m.

I'm not a fan of daycare either. To each their own.

GemTwist · Mar 31, 2014

I started a 10qtr ADN nursing program with a 3month old and 2 year old. I am a full time stay at home mom while my husband works full time and we also have very little of a support system. (My dad comes down once per week for 6 hours so I can do some studying) and that is it. No daycare or friend childcare swaps. It has been very difficult. Evening classes were my friend for pre-reqs. Since I am in the extended 10qtr program and not the 6qtr program my nursing courses are in the late afternoon/evening. Luckily, my husband is the manager where he works and can work his schedule around mine. It would be very difficult if he couldn't. I cry every qtr and feel like quiting because this program is so overwhelming. Many schools have different methods of teaching and I would research that. I feel like my school is a bootcamp. The content is not the hardest part, it is just the amount of work they pile on us. So I watch the boys all day while my husband is at work to avoid daycare. This leaves me only night time to do homework and study. I would wait to begin prereqs until you can go straight into nursing school after since there is a time limit on those prereqs. It has DEFINITELY put stress on our family and relationship.

MsAng · Apr 1, 2014

Nursing school is tough for anyone. Period. I started my pre-req's when my youngest started kindergarten. I did the BSN track and took most of my pre-req's online. When I started the nursing program, it was required full time with no online work, but my kids were older at that point so it worked out well for my family. If you choose to do your pre-req's now and the nursing program later, be careful about the timing. In the program at my university, the biology classes you take "expire" after so many years.... meaning, I would have to retake the biology courses in order to get into the nursing program if more than 6 or 7 years have passed since taking the biology courses. Good luck to you! I'm sure you'll find a way. :)