Getting into Nursing after 10 years of thinking about it!

[hnonnac]

Hi All,

I am 29 and have decided to go into nursing after 10 years of being too afraid to go for it! I'm still afraid but I'm wanting to do something good with my life and I want a challenging career where I can't get bored. I still don't know for sure if I will really love it, but its worth a shot.

So here is where I stand... I graduated high school in 97' and have only taken some GE college courses...none relating to nursing. I am starting the pre-requisites slowly, but it seems the pre-req's are going to take around 2 or 3 years before I even start nursing school! I have to do Elementary Algebra since I haven't taken Math in 12 years, and that is just so I can get into Chemistry, but before that I have to take a general biology class, then Microbiology, then A & P, and I think even English, Sociology and Humanities. I'm already overwhelmed that it's going to take forever since people keep saying to only take one science prereq at a time.

I am worried about how I will do nursing school and work at the same time. I know I will need to work at least 1 or 2 days a week, but I don't think I could handle more than that AND school at the same time. I envy those people who can handle it all.

I'm nervous because I have a lot of bills and would be taking out a lot of money in loans to make up the difference from not working full time anymore in my Marketing job (I don't have a husband or boyfriend to fall back on). Any advice??

[naners0978]

I came from a liberal arts background. The last science I took was as a sophomore in high school in 1994! But, I surprised myself. I study a lot and set allotted hours to do so. If you dedicate yourself, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish. As for pre-reqs, everyone is different in what they can handle. I started back at school in Aug 2007 and am entering into my last semester of pre-reqs this spring, with hopes to be accepted into an accelerated program for fall. I have two little ones (ages 2 and 1), so if I can do it, anyone can!! :) Good luck!

[hnonnac]

Thanks for the encouragement. I am so dreading this experience, but am sure it will be worth it once I am done. I look at people like you who have kids and think to myself, yes I can do this....and I don't even have kids. Kudos to you!