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.
I'm a much better student at age 40. For my first degree I had a 2.8 GPA and slacked off a lot. This time I have a 4.0. It's a lot different when you and your whole family are making sacrifices for you to go to school.
You won't need calculus, usually Algebra 2 will be the highest math. But for a BSN you will need statistics and statistics research eventually. I was working on my pre-reqs for nursing and then got accepted to the surgical tech program. Did that for a year while working as a CNA on Mother/Baby. 2 years after I graduated I am working as an OB Scrub Tech and LOVE what I do, but realized that I want more involvement with the patient so went back to school and now I'm about to start my nursing program classes in May and by Dec 2015 hopefully have my BSN. Look up schools and try to talk to counselors who can guide you in the right direction. Good luck!
It would be great to have the resource of Mom available to help with kids. It's a HUGE commitment of time, energy and at least for me, money. I'm older too, just turned 50, and although I am doing really well in my ADN program right now, it's kicking my ass all over the place. Good luck to you! Follow your dreams!
Heathermaizey, can't pm you. Still too new i guess. Can yoj try and pm me. Won't be getting to richmond till mid or late november.
As for the rest, glad to read i may not need calculus till bsn. Next classes don't start till spring so this should give me enough time to start some prereqs hopefully. Plus, i read it can onlh help to volunteer at a local hospital. Anxious and worried about getting in to college after so long. But my daughters futures depend on it. Fingers crossed.
When you go to school as an adult you bring your life experiences with you, and it does make it easier. It is a good idea to take classes part-time to get use to the environment, and see how you do in school. A college success class is a good idea also so you can take a couple of weeks to look at your study skills, and to take a career tests which gives you a primary and secondary career.
I would take a look at the job market for nurses in Indiana. If a lot of students are finding jobs out of school in Indiana, I would strongly consider going to Indiana. Florida is overloaded with nurses right now.
I also went to nursing school later in life ( I was 38). I went to IVY Tech for my ADN and came out with a 3.7 GPA and I worked full time as a PCA at a local hospital. If you want it bad enough you will do great. Good luck to you.
Hey heather, don't know if it's against the rules or if i even should, but I can't pass up on your offer to help. wintertonj gmail if you would like. I still can't pm but do have a few questions since I will probably be going to Ivy Tech Richmond.
Itsnever to late. Im 47 years old, and i was just accepted to the Spring 2014nursing program at my local community college. Like you, I was also veryworried about the pre-reqs that i needed to complete before i could apply tothe program. I graduated High School in 1984 so i was very scared to takealgebra, A&P, Micro, as well as other classes that i had to take. My adviceto you would be to just take 1 or 2 classes at the beginning and try to do asbest you can in those classes, then as you feel more comfortable you can takemore classes. All nursing programs are very competitive so A's are a must ifyou want a good chance to get in. The lowest GPA to be accepted into my classwas 3.60. Good luck to you and your family.
Well, it's possible. I was a single mom, and teacher, and managed through work, scholarship, a load of loans, and a lot of luck, to finish my BSN.
Look around and see if there are weekend or bridge programs that cater to working adults. I drove 45 minutes each way, every day, and sometimes more for clinical sites. Yay books on tape, and Mp3's of pharm lectures.
BTW, I failed Chemistry 3 times in high school and my first undergrad before RN school (10 years after my bachelors in JOURNALISM, if that gives you an idea of my innate ability in math and science.) I'll be honest- it bent my brain in unholy directions, and my closet doors have chunks out of them from throwing that book, but I got the A i had to have. Same when it came time for statistics- and I never went above high school algebra before this, failing geometry twice.
Also, dig into your area's hospital system's RN programs and agreements with local colleges. Here in Texas, the company I work for- which is also in Indiana- has a very helpful program. Basically if you work for them in any capacity, and you get at least C's in your pre-reqs, you have a very good shot at a seat. It is administered through an agreement with an established college's nursing program. And they reimburse the tuition- only has to be repaid if you stay less than a year at any of their hospitals. If it is health care related, there is little to NO eligibility wait for tuition assistance if approved.
Im sure there will be differences in your area, but I wish I had dug a little more at the outset- I wouldn't have had to ruin my closet doors to get a seat in RN school :) Might be worth some nosing around.
I'm a single mom to a 7 year old and I just applied to my BSN program for spring semester. It can be done. I wasn't a straight A student in high school and even had to retake some college classes to improve my GPA, but I know it will have been worth all the effort. Good luck!
Honestly I did worse than c student in high school but did really well in college, and I'm now on the deans list. So don't base your future success totally on your past experiences. Motivation plays a huge part in what you can excel at.
It took me almost four years to complete the pre reqs because I have kids. Then another few years to get into a school and then another few more to finish, its not a quick process. Lots of other better paying careers that can be done faster.
Good luck to you! Follow your dreams!
CDEWannaBe
456 Posts
I'm a much better student at age 40. For my first degree I had a 2.8 GPA and slacked off a lot. This time I have a 4.0. It's a lot different when you and your whole family are making sacrifices for you to go to school.