I don't think this is going to work...

LanaBanana · Mar 1, 2006

That sounds like a sensible way to do it. I'm also planning on doing CNA training - can I get a waiver on science courses if I've been working as a CNA?

No, there's no waiver for sciences as a CNA. In fact, for the CC and tech school nursing programs here, CNA is a prereq. Just wanted to throw this out for you too. If your local CC doesn't offer a good variety of online classes, check out http://www.edukan.org There's a lot of people on here who've taken classes through them and I'm starting A&P1 (with a couple other people here) through them in March. They offer lots of classes that last anywhere from 8 to 16 weeks. A little bit pricier than most CC's but you get the convenience.

DON'T give up on something you want to do! I've done this too many times and finally realized that you just can't be happy when you still desire something more. Like others have said, there are part-time options available once you do actually get in to nursing. Maybe start with the CNA and see how you like it though.

Good luck!

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 1, 2006

No, there's no waiver for sciences as a CNA. In fact, for the CC and tech school nursing programs here, CNA is a prereq. Just wanted to throw this out for you too. If your local CC doesn't offer a good variety of online classes, check out http://www.edukan.org There's a lot of people on here who've taken classes through them and I'm starting A&P1 (with a couple other people here) through them in March. They offer lots of classes that last anywhere from 8 to 16 weeks. A little bit pricier than most CC's but you get the convenience.
DON'T give up on something you want to do! I've done this too many times and finally realized that you just can't be happy when you still desire something more. Like others have said, there are part-time options available once you do actually get in to nursing. Maybe start with the CNA and see how you like it though.
Good luck!

I would love to take online classes but I'm shying away from them because I don't want to have trouble transferring the credits later.

And as far as waiver - I didn't mean waiver to get out of the science class altogether, just to get around the five-year policy.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2006

Chaya. . .My mother wanted to be a nurse for years. With 5 kids and assorted pets and a husband back in the 60's she finally decided to give it a whirl with my dad's blessing when we were all of school age. Things were going well until my dad had a cerebral aneurysm that ruptured and resulted in a stroke that left him disabled for the next 29 years of his life. Plans for her nursing career were put on the shelf for a bit. However, a couple of years later, she got the itch again. This time after discussing it with my dad who was no longer able to work they took drastic action because my mom had to be the breadwinner for the family. The house was put up for sale, sold, we moved and my mom got herself into nursing school. Within a year she was a licensed LVN here in California. Let me also say the deciding factors for moving here were that her cousin was offering her a place to live for free while she went to school and that the tuition at the California colleges at that time was free. What a bargain and an opportunity!

Don't abandon your dream. Take one class at a time if you can. Get all those classes out of the way that everyone hates to have to take. Save the sciences for just before taking nursing because (as I found out the hard way) most nursing programs will make you take science classes over if you took them too long ago (5 to 10 years--depends on the school). If you have difficulty with math or English you will do much better with them by taking only one class at a time and devoting all your time to just that class.

In the meantime, you could also read some of the nursing journals. There are three general ones out there for nurses: RN, Nursing 2006, and AJN (The American Journal of Nursing). Keep track of what is going on with the National Student Nurses Association and what your state affiliate of this group is doing and try to attend any workshops or conventions that your state affiliate has, if you can. That will keep your hand in nursing and keep you interested and up to date on what is going on in the profession.

Don't give up. And, 40 years old is not the end of the world. My mother was 48 when she went to LVN school, kiddo. She worked until she was 68 and they practically had to throw her out of the hospital! A dye job, a little botox and you'll look like you're 30 again! :rotfl: Honestly, there are some hospitals that would rather hire more mature individuals, so don't sweat about your age, OK? There are so many of us Baby Boomers out here that you, at your 40 years of age, are going to look like a teenager next to the rest of us.

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 1, 2006

Thank you so much Daytonite for the upbeat post and encouraging words. Moving into my parents home with all my kids is an option that I've been considering - they've offered and they have a very big house for just the two of them while the seven of us (dh, me and 5 kids) are crammed in a tiny apartment. But my dh isn't really interested in relocating.

bullcityrn · Mar 1, 2006

I would love to take online classes but I'm shying away from them because I don't want to have trouble transferring the credits later.
And as far as waiver - I didn't mean waiver to get out of the science class altogether, just to get around the five-year policy.

You'd be surprised how many nursing programs take the online credits...I've done many of my pre-reqs online and the only ones that have ever come into question are the science classes because my schools want the labs to be hands-on. Even so, they still accept the classroom portion online. If you know what nursing you want to attend, call them and ask! It may be easier than you think. Lots of posters on here are taking all their sciences online and have no problem at all with them being accepted.

I completely understand what a difficult decision this is. I have three children ranging in age from 1 to 16 and a new marriage. I worry all the time how I'm going to work everything out. I've wanted to be a nurse forever and have put off it off many times over the years because of one commitment after the other. Don't get me wrong, my kids and husband mean the world to me and are the most important things in my life. But now that I'm nearing 40 and contemplating nursing school once again, now as a 2nd career, I realize that there is NEVER going to be a "good" time because somebody or something is always going to require your time and attention. That's life. I guess I'm just saying, don't put your dreams on hold too long because it will become easier and easier to never get around to it. So even if you don't go into it full force right now, definitely keep taking classes and doing your research and staying involved. When you find even the smallest opening, jump in! Your family will be fine, they really will be. As a matter of fact, they'll probably be happier knowing you are doing something that makes you happy!

Good Luck!! I wish you the best.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2006

There is a bright side to 'shelving' your nursing dream....

When/if you want to open that chapter again, you just pull it from the shelf and start reading.....

You may end up retaking sciences, but you have to do what is right for your family.

I wouldn't totally give up on it, but just remember postponing isn't totally quitting.

If it never happens, I hope you remain happy in your current situation. Either way, I wish you the best of luck in your future.

kukukajoo, LPN · Mar 1, 2006

Hang in there and keep your eye on the goal! I am 37 and just got my acceptance letter! There were many times in the past where I wanted to do this but family obligations got in the way.

I do regret not taking some courses sooner- I had the all or nothing mentality and that is just wrong. Had I known or thought, I could have taken the college Algebra, Biology and other gen ed courses to get them out of the way one at a time. And had I done that I would be in my first year of Nurising school now instead of waiting to begin in the fall.

Also have you thought about just going to LPN for now? If you have your pre-reqs and sciences out of the way that may be smooth sailing for you once you are ready. Besides by then the kids will be a little bit older and things shold fall into place.

PS I still worry about the balance and my 15 yo guilts me all the time about the time I spend at school or studying but I trudge on!!

atrice, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2006

I have two children that were around age 2 and 3 1/2. Now they are almost 5 and 6 1/2. The first semester i started i took 4 classes which was a huge mistake. I did really well considering but my husband and my kids needed me so i took 1-3 classes each semester after that... I am now fininshing up my 6th semester (3rd year) and have all my pre-reqs out of the way. The only thing is that this last year has been slow. I took my phy.ed., life span, and fine arts in the spring which left me with nothing else to take but the ADN program takes only fall start applicants. I applied for the fall 06' start (the deadline was yesterday) and hopefully get in. Right now i am taking RNSG 1301 Pharmacology which is the only RN class you can take outside the nursing program here. I figured it will be just one less class i have to take in the program.

My point being that you can do it if this is REALLY what you want. It has taken me longer than most people to finish my prereqs but if finished them. The science classes here are also only good for 5 years. I took A&P I in the spring of 04' so i am still good to go.... YOU CAN DO IT TOO!!!!!!!!