Help, completely confused (pre-nursing, entry-level jobs, etc)

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 11, 2016

I took two sciences together, along with 3 other classes one semester. It's really not a big deal. Actually, a lot of my micro and A&P II overlapped. Personally, I think it's a mistake to take them one by one. It doesn't prepare you at all for nursing school.

I was fortunate that I didn't have to work. I could not have imagined working while in the program. Some of my classmates worked part time. Do you have to leave your current job? You said you make good money. Keep that while at least doing your prereqs. Depending on how well you handle them will determine whether or not you get into the program. I would not quit that job at least until you have a seat in a program. Getting on cam be very difficult as it's very competitive.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · May 11, 2016

If you have the time then take all of them ASAP. I don't know what else to tell you. Did you already quit your job? Just keep working and take the pre reqs.

Zooey72 · May 11, 2016

I just got in, and it took me 1 year of pre-reqs. Not sure whey they would tell you 2. I do think taking one science class at at time is a good idea. I wanted the best grade I could get, and in order to do that I wanted to be able to focus. Keep in mind the science classes you are going to be taking have a lab component as well. My profs attempted to be nice when they could and classroom and lab tried not to schedule tests too close to each other, but it did happen some times. Taking 2 difficult tests close together can be stressful; but you could have 4 tests in the span of just a couple of days if you took 2 science classes.

That is just me though. I know a few people who doubled up and they did fine. Because I could focus on just the one class I did do better, but they both got into the program as well (I got 2 A's and a B+, one girl got 2 B's and a C and got in).

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · May 11, 2016

I am 40yo (next month)

Young, in other words. Or at least younger than I was when I went down this path.

have a bachelor's degree in a non-science field, top honors.

So you're a good student... that will help. Many of the people with whom you'll be competing are not.

I do well for myself and would be taking a pay-cut to be an RN

It's your life but I would caution you against taking a pay cut to be a nurse unless there's something else to be materially gained like job security, a pension, benefits, close to home, etc.

Be wary of entering the field for reasons of personal fulfillment, being of service, helping people, etc. It's a tough business (with the emphasis on *business*) and those things can be ephemeral or nonexistent.

(could possibly go up in pay if I do an NP)

Everybody wants to be an NP or CRNA.

I have bills, a home, a single mom with a child, etc, so I'm not a 20-something living with parents and can afford to volunteer for 2 straight years like I once could

Get your budget worked out and figure out child care. Multitasking through nursing school is challenging and some programs are more tolerant than others. Be clear about the one(s) to which you're hoping to gain admission.

they don't suggest taking more than one science together

Bollocks, I say. Math, science, and engineering students do it routinely so why not anybody else?

the classes are only offered certain semesters

And this is a common issue. Perhaps classes are available at different area schools. For example, in this area we have 4 different community colleges and three different universities so with some planning and good fortune, you may be able to knock 'em out more quickly. Also check into online classes. Some schools will accept these and they can be a way to overcome the quirks of the academic calendar. Also look into the CLEP potential for prerequisites. Also, don't eschew intersession or short-term classes... they are intense but you can finish a 3-4 unit class in 6 weeks.

1. Does pre-nursing really need to take that long?

Does it 'need' to? Not necessarily. In my case, I was able to complete my prerequisites in 1 semester plus 1 intersession. It just depends which classes you need and which are available.

I mean, I'm 40. lol

Irrelevant.

2. If I do complete pre-nursing as slowly as she suggests (1 science class every semester for 2 years), what do you do with the rest of your time to bring in an income and further your nursing career

Work as much as you can and earn as much as you can. How you do that depends entirely on your skills, experience, aptitude, and characteristics. I kid you not when I say that I've known someone who worked as a stripper to get through nursing school. Others continue their current vocations. Others become CNAs (which I do not suggest). Some land jobs as ED techs, unit clerks, or tele techs. It just depends on what is available to you.

because a non-medical job wouldn't look kindly on your pursuing a nursing degree

Bollocks again! Most people that I know did not have any prior experience in health care before landing their first nursing job.

you don't have the credentials to work in the medical field even as a nurse assistant, EMT, etc

No, not unless you get the credentials. CNA is a 4 week class around here. EMT is a one-semester class. MA is a 20-week program. Tech jobs are often OJT.

So what *do* you do?

Whatever suits you. Me, I studied like a crazy man in order to launch as strongly as I could. I took out a second on my house which, combined with severance, financed my way through school.

I did get my CNA certificate as a requirement for matriculation but I absolutely refused to work in that role. I did apply for a couple of tech jobs and clerk jobs but didn't get hired.

MomAndSonInMD · May 12, 2016

I took two sciences together, along with 3 other classes one semester. It's really not a big deal. Actually, a lot of my micro and A&P II overlapped. Personally, I think it's a mistake to take them one by one. It doesn't prepare you at all for nursing school.
I was fortunate that I didn't have to work. I could not have imagined working while in the program. Some of my classmates worked part time. Do you have to leave your current job? You said you make good money. Keep that while at least doing your prereqs. Depending on how well you handle them will determine whether or not you get into the program. I would not quit that job at least until you have a seat in a program. Getting on cam be very difficult as it's very competitive.

I actually left my job because I had hit the glass ceiling (the only place for me to go was to take the owner's job, and he wasn't going anywhere). At the same time I was put on strict bedrest for the entire duration of my pregnancy, so it was a sensible transition out of that role. I choose to stay home with my son his first few years (the only time in my life I haven't worked since I was 14yo and I'm 40 now). My son was born with special needs, so that further solidified my decision to stay home with him to get him to all his OT appts. (sometimes 5 per week). He's at a place now that he could go to pre-school full-time, so now the question is, go back to what I was doing (I was great at it, but bored) or move into what I should have done in the first place (medicine -- my family even told me that's where I belonged when I was 15 but I didn't listen).

So, if I do the pre-nursing part-time, I need something to fill the other time, but what that job would be, I don't know. Then once I'm in the nursing program, I suppose I'll have to stop working again, which really stinks. I'm not worried about it being competitive. I'm a rockstar student. I will go without sleeping and eating to get a perfect score. It's really not healthy, but I can't help it.

MomAndSonInMD · May 12, 2016

If you have the time then take all of them ASAP. I don't know what else to tell you. Did you already quit your job? Just keep working and take the pre reqs.

Yes, I did, but for other reasons.

MomAndSonInMD · May 12, 2016

I just got in, and it took me 1 year of pre-reqs. Not sure whey they would tell you 2. I do think taking one science class at at time is a good idea. I wanted the best grade I could get, and in order to do that I wanted to be able to focus. Keep in mind the science classes you are going to be taking have a lab component as well. My profs attempted to be nice when they could and classroom and lab tried not to schedule tests too close to each other, but it did happen some times. Taking 2 difficult tests close together can be stressful; but you could have 4 tests in the span of just a couple of days if you took 2 science classes.
That is just me though. I know a few people who doubled up and they did fine. Because I could focus on just the one class I did do better, but they both got into the program as well (I got 2 A's and a B+, one girl got 2 B's and a C and got in).

Because I need 4 science classes and she wants no more than 1 science class per semester, so 2 years. :| I can't wait 2 years.

MomAndSonInMD · May 12, 2016

Response in bold because I couldn't figure out how to multi-quote. Sorry. :\

Young, in other words. Or at least younger than I was when I went down this path.
Thank you.
So you're a good student... that will help. Many of the people with whom you'll be competing are not.It's your life but I would caution you against taking a pay cut to be a nurse unless there's something else to be materially gained like job security, a pension, benefits, close to home, etc.
I know. Their loss. lol
That was part of the desire for the NP, to at least be going up in pay a smidge so I didn't feel like I was making a bad decision for me and my son by taking time off work and accruing student loans just to take a paycut because I have a passion.
Be wary of entering the field for reasons of personal fulfillment, being of service, helping people, etc. It's a tough business (with the emphasis on *business*) and those things can be ephemeral or nonexistent.
That has been a concern.
Everybody wants to be an NP or CRNA.
I have no interest in CRNA. I just thought NP would be easier on my bad hip/knee and would give me a small boost in pay to make the career change seem less whimsical. I also don't like the idea of a doctor telling me what to do, so I thought being an NP would give me more autonomy that I'm used to in my current field.
Get your budget worked out and figure out child care. Multitasking through nursing school is challenging and some programs are more tolerant than others. Be clear about the one(s) to which you're hoping to gain admission.
I have my sights set on two areas, but won't know until clinicals which of the two is the better fit.
Bollocks, I say. Math, science, and engineering students do it routinely so why not anybody else?
That's what I was thinking, but has anyone here done it successfully?
And this is a common issue. Perhaps classes are available at different area schools. For example, in this area we have 4 different community colleges and three different universities so with some planning and good fortune, you may be able to knock 'em out more quickly. Also check into online classes. Some schools will accept these and they can be a way to overcome the quirks of the academic calendar. Also look into the CLEP potential for prerequisites. Also, don't eschew intersession or short-term classes... they are intense but you can finish a 3-4 unit class in 6 weeks.
Good advice. Thanks.
Does it 'need' to? Not necessarily. In my case, I was able to complete my prerequisites in 1 semester plus 1 intersession. It just depends which classes you need and which are available.Irrelevant.
Work as much as you can and earn as much as you can. How you do that depends entirely on your skills, experience, aptitude, and characteristics. I kid you not when I say that I've known someone who worked as a stripper to get through nursing school. Others continue their current vocations. Others become CNAs (which I do not suggest). Some land jobs as ED techs, unit clerks, or tele techs. It just depends on what is available to you.
I was looking at EKG tech, but I don't know how anyone lives on that income.
Bollocks again! Most people that I know did not have any prior experience in health care before landing their first nursing job.No, not unless you get the credentials. CNA is a 4 week class around here. EMT is a one-semester class. MA is a 20-week program. Tech jobs are often OJT.Whatever suits you. Me, I studied like a crazy man in order to launch as strongly as I could. I took out a second on my house which, combined with severance, financed my way through school.
No, what I meant was that I could return to my old field for work, and take nursing part-time, but if I tell them why I need a day off for class, unless it's related to that field, they are not going to be pleased.

What does "OJT mean?
I did get my CNA certificate as a requirement for matriculation but I absolutely refused to work in that role. I did apply for a couple of tech jobs and clerk jobs but didn't get hired.

What are you doing now? Do you like it?

RXtobeRn27 · May 12, 2016

Does pre-nursing really need to take that long? Yes, I was working full time when I did my pre-nursing classes... Ill b doing one science class and 1 non-science class like english or math .. then I was doing some volunteer work on the weekends... just think about your competition... hungry young people .. maybe straight A's.... with lots of skills... who also applying to nursing program..

what do you do with the rest of your time to bring in an income and further your nursing career

work as many hours as you can... financial aid/student loans.... volunteer.. get some other healthcare certifications.. CNA/phlebotomist/EMT/lab assistant...

MomAndSonInMD · May 12, 2016

Does pre-nursing really need to take that long? Yes, I was working full time when I did my pre-nursing classes... Ill b doing one science class and 1 non-science class like english or math .. then I was doing some volunteer work on the weekends... just think about your competition... hungry young people .. maybe straight A's.... with lots of skills... who also applying to nursing program..
what do you do with the rest of your time to bring in an income and further your nursing career
work as many hours as you can... financial aid/student loans.... volunteer.. get some other healthcare certifications.. CNA/phlebotomist/EMT/lab assistant...

I'm not worried about the competition. I'm a strong Type A used to getting top grades and having outstanding resumes. I am just wondering why 4 classes need to take 2 years.

Good tips. Thank you.

cecile9155, BSN, RN · May 12, 2016

I worked full time in a non nursing job while doing my pre-reqs. My employer didn't know I was taking the classes. I took only classes that were online or met at 4:30 or later. It was hard keeping it a secret but I couldn't afford to lose my job.