Could Single Dad Get in...

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Hello to all,

I am a 44 yr old single dad, (well almost - divorce is forthcoming) and I started thinking about going to nursing school for a couple of reasons, 1st to give my 2 girls a better future and second I have thought about a healthcare career for a long time.

Why now? Because it is now solely up to me to make sure my girls have a brighter future than I did. So, I have been researching, cost of schools, job outlook, pre-req's, which I am worried about a couple of them, such as chemistry and calculus, this may be difficult.

I read the pre-req's have to be done before I can even apply? I live in central FL where there are numerous A.S & BNS programs and I was thinking of trying to get my A.S so I could work and support my children while going back and getting my BNS(or is it BSN). I would love to become an RN and specialize in oncology.

My second option would be to become a Surgical Tech, but I just read that position is being fazed out by RN's.

I haved talked with my mom in Richmond, IN and she offered to help with the kids if I wanted to move and attend school up there. Fhat would mean I could possibly attend full time, but there are only a handful of RN programs and they are about 45 minutes away.

So, I guess my question is, if I was only a C student in my sophomore year of math and science before getting my GED and entering the military, should I be worried about the pre-req's? Also, if it just isn't meant to be, any suggestions on the Surgical Tech?

Sorry the post is a bit long, just terribly worried about my childrens future.

newsingledad Jeff

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Specializes in LTC, Rural, OB.

So at this point, honestly, just look at all the nursing and surgical tech programs that you are thinking about and look at the pre-requisites. If it is something you really want to do, definitely go for it. The best way to figure it out is to start taking some classes at a local community college part-time. My mom did that before her and my dad divorced, of course 20 years ago, and was able to get into a nursing program.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Maybe just start off with a couple of prerequisites and see how it goes.You have to have them completed before you can apply.

Good luck.

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I take it that the classes you previously took were a long time ago, so they probably won't count either way. I would go ahead and start taking some prereqs but make sure that they will be accepted by the school you want to go to before you plunk down the money and go through it, especially since you may be moving to another state. Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Welcome to AN - Thank you very much for your military service.

I think you have been misinformed about the future of surgical technology. Actually, the opposite is true. The surgical suite is becoming more and more technologically oriented. Each new piece of equipment needs someone to operate it. There are technical specialties today that we hadn't even dreamed of 10 years ago.

Also -- I apologize if this annoys anyone, but the fact is, some surgical specialties, such as orthopedics, are actually more suited to people with greater upper body strength. I only know of one female orthopedic surgeon, and she works with her own male surgical tech.

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BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing :-)

I don't think you need to be as worried about the pre-req's as you think you are. Most people find that with age and maturity, a lot of these classes come a little easier. I couldn't pinpoint exactly what it is, but even for me at 32, classes are going 10x better than they did 10 years ago, and I have so much more on plate now than I did then (a job, a 2 year old, a 3 year old...).

Also, like other people suggested, you could start out slow with just a few classes and see how it goes. Because you never know until you try! One other suggestion I have... meet with someone from each school you are interested in; or if they have regularly scheduled information sessions, attend those. They might go over a lot of information you could find online, but you'll probably learn something you didn't know as well. And you have an opportunity to ask any questions that might sway which direction you choose to go in.

Also, are you eligible for the GI Bill? Look into grants for single parents too. You might find that you can get enough financial help that you can attend school full time without having to move. Maybe not, but it's worth looking into!

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I would go with taking the prereq first like A & P, Micro until you come to a decision whether you want to be an RN or Surg Tech. Plus i am sure both classes are applicable to both majors anyways. I went to a community college which was very convenient for many reason.

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Like others have said, start taking your prereqs at a community college. You need to do well (ideally straight A's) in those classes to be accepted to nursing school, so you'll be able to see if it's a good fit for you.

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Specializes in ICU.

Hi Jeff. I live in Indiana. I know there is a brand new Ivy Tech in Richmond. Are you sure it does not have the nursing program? I live just north of Anderson and ours does and has a brand new clinical center in it. Your other option would be to do your prereqs at Ivy Tech in Richmond and possibly transfer them to IUPUI in Indy or Ball State in Muncie. I think they would be about the same distance for you. I am single mom currently going through a divorce also and am attending Ivy Tech full time. They have worked around my schedule to be able to be done before my son gets off of school. It's been great. I know once I start nursing school that will end but I have a support system of friends to help me. It may be better to come up here and have your mom help you especially when getting acclimated back into the school environment. Some of the campuses also offer the surgical tech program. If you want to PM me go ahead and I can check with a good friend of mine who is teaching at the Richmond campus. He could probably give me more info on what you need.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, newsingleDad:

There are a number of single parents working on their LPN and RN prerequisites at the local community college I'm attending. Your age and gender are not an issue.

Some single parents take one class per semester, others three to four classes per semester.

What I've been told is that older adults (I'm 50) tend to over shoot on the classes they take per semester; then, they don't get to spend the necessary study time, and don't do as well in their classes. A lot of programs require high GPA's, so for better or worse, each grade point matters.

If the syllabi are free where you are planning to go, ask if you can get a syllabus (even a previous semester one) for each class you plan to take. Then you can plan out how much study time might be required to get an "A" in that particular class.

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/how-get-any-846733.html is a very helpful article.

Thank you.

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BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing :-)

I don't think you need to be as worried about the pre-req's as you think you are. Most people find that with age and maturity, a lot of these classes come a little easier. I couldn't pinpoint exactly what it is, but even for me at 32, classes are going 10x better than they did 10 years ago, and I have so much more on plate now than I did then (a job, a 2 year old, a 3 year old...).

Yes, yes, this!!! I got my degree first time around "LETS JUST GRADUATE" and then decided to go back to school some years later for nursing and I rocked my pre-reqs. I never thought of myself as a science and math person but turns out, I kind of am! LOL So I say go for it. I agree with starting with the pre-reqs. Go just take 1 class. See how you like it. Go from there!! Good luck :)

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I'm also having a much easier time as an older student. My gap isn't as big- I'm 26- but I'm finding it's much easier to understand the concepts, not to mention feel motivated than it was when I was 18/19/20 and just starting school. IME the older students tend to be overachievers and do just fine, to the point of annoying the younger ones which I once was and now the roles have reversed.

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