Encouraging advice welcomed

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Dec 7, 2009

Hi coco72,

You need to find out what is available in your area. with a previous degree, you could do an accelerated program which would take about 18 months or so (depends on the school). You will still have science pre-requisites like AP and Micro but no social sciences because of your previous degree.

We have a school in Denver (Regis) that has a program to allow you to get your degree going to school nights and weekends (because you are already working in the healthcare field). Something like that might work for you too.

Start to look around this site and see what others have to say, its a fantastic resource and a good place to start.

Good luck!!

coko72 · Dec 8, 2009

Thanks a lot Sand_ Dollar I really appreciate the feed back. I really want to be sucessful in anything that I do. I applied to Baptist I have to take the HOBET exam hopefully I do good on that. I think this board is going to be very useful to me.

tambralyn · Dec 8, 2009

While I certainly do not mean to discourage you in any way, I want to paint you a realistic portrait of nursing school, given that you are a single mother. I don't know how old your children are, but the truth is that it doesn't really matter: our kids need us no matter how old they are.

So, I first want to say, that I applaud you for being persistant in pursuing your first and true desire.

I am also a second career nurse. I had a BA in Economics and French and had worked in marketing and office mgmt and realized at 34 that I just really didn't belong in the "business world". I considered some accelerated BSN programs in the St. Louis area, but decided to do an ADN program and bridge into an RN-to-BSN instead. I did this for several reasons. First, I lived fairly far south of St. Louis and did not want to commute so far to school, so I applied to a local nursing school instead. Also, even though I was still enrolled full-time, I knew that nearly half of my ADN and BSN credits were already taken care of in previous degree, so I didn't have to take as heavy a load as some of my classmates or spend a year or two doing prereqs. Any classes I was missing I was able to take at the same time as my nursing courses.

So yes, I was attending classes full-time during the day, working and being a mother. Well, trying to be successful at all three, anyway. And I had an advantage in that I am married. My husband travels a lot for work, so much of the time I am a single mother, but I did have some help. Early into my second year, I had to give up full-time hours at the hospital where I was working as a nursing assistant because I simply did not have enough time to study and be a Mom and work full time (even after that I worked 24 hrs/week, every weekend). Something had to give. Happily, I made it through the ADN program and I am now an RN working in a hospital, and pursuing my RN-to-BSN.

Wow, this is more long-winded than I intended, and I'm still not finished. :specs: Now, regarding the accelerated programs... Nearly everyone I have spoken to, including past and current accelerated students and my school advisor, has told me that it is practically impossible to do an accelerated program and work, at all. Even part-time is too much for these students. They really eat, breathe, and sleep nursing school. In the ADN program I pulled an outrageous number of all-nighters trying to get clinical paperwork done after working a shift at the hospital. I can't imagine trying to cram all of the information it will have taken me three years to acquire into one year and still have managed to work and be a parent to my daughter.

If you take all of this information into consideration, combined with an all-too-real recession that has touched even the supposed "nursing shortage", I would encourage you to take a route similar to mine (tailoring it to your needs, of course). A nights and weekend program ADN is another option. It will take longer, yes. And it will be hard. And you will spend a lot of time thinking maybe you should have, you could be making more money sooner. But take a quick look in the New Grad boards. New grads all over the country are having a really difficult time finding jobs. I am grateful to have at least a part-time nursing position, even though it's in an area I would never have otherwise considered, and they keep cancelling my hours due to "low census". At least I do have a job, period, right now. Even though it will take a little longer, maybe, just maybe, the market will have improved by the time you graduate and you will be able to find a position you want as opposed to settling or spending months into years job-hunting.

I don't mean for this to be discouraging, by any means. Nursing is wonderful, and I absolutely love it. I have never loved any work as much as I love what I do now. And I'm not even in my ideal workplace. I can't wait until I make it there! I just hope to impart a realistic view of what nursing school can be, and what the job market is right now. It's okay to take your time, and maybe have some more time for your kids while you're in school.

coko72 · Dec 8, 2009

] I really have already experienced being away from my kids while I was working on my other degree and working nights. Most of my classes I took online. It is very hard trying to juggle it all. It makes me want to scream most of the time. I am currently working at night and my two oldest kids are helping me with my youngest by keeping her at night. I have family members, but I sometimes feel like I'm in it by myself. I know that I am up for a real challenge. Heck I make $20.00 now, and I'm in a supervisor position. I will consider taking things slow because I don't want to fail. Thanks for all of your advice I really appreciate it. What is ADN please advise.

tambralyn · Dec 8, 2009

Sorry about the acronym... ADN = Associate Degree in Nursing

It's tough any time someone decides to make a change like this as an adult, especially as a single mother. I commend you, and all of your hard work. You're fortunate your older kids can and are willing to help out with the younger one. Good luck with whichever route you choose to follow.

betty67 · Dec 8, 2009

I am 42 and a single mother of 3 children as well. My oldest is almost 11 and my youngest is 18months. That being said,choosing to go back to school at this stage of the game is difficult at times. I feel like I want to scream a lot too. What I feel like screaming is can't I just get a break! But I do not regret in any way going back to school. I know that this won't be forever, it is well worth it to me to become a nurse. It is what I have wanted for a long time. I just got accepted into my schools nursing program. I start in january! It took me a long time to get to this point. YOU CAN DO IT!! It will be hard and frustrating at times I am sure, but I know in my heart that this is what I want and I know that I will get there how ever long that it takes!

My best advice to you is to approach this choosing the school that has a program that will work best for you and your kids. I am only working part time right now and I will go to an on call schedule once I start in january. Money is tight but this is all doable for me. I chose my school because day classes work better for me with the older kids being in school and the baby being in daycare. I have a job working in senior home care that can work with my schedule. Sometimes I don't get a lot of hours but anything helps to make ends meet. I am in an ADN program and I will be done in 2yrs. after that I will try to continue on for my BSN.............Good luck to you!

coko72 · Dec 8, 2009

I know that it is going to be hard but I keep thinking about the saying easy come easy go. I'm willing to work hard to get what I want. You can do it to. We have to encourage and uplift one another. Keep me posted. Thanks!!!!! :yeah: