Im unsure and confused...

[babs4u]

Ok first of all, I should give a little background on my self.

I have been a stay at home mom since I was 17 got married when I was 18 and now we have 4 kids. I am now 31, never had a job, I didnt even finish high school. I just recently passed my GED on the first try. That was a BIG accomplishment for me, I SOO thought I wouldnt be able to do it.

I have always wanted to be a nurse, but been to busy with the family. My oldest is 14, and now my baby is 7, and I feel its time , or actually, I feel I have waisted alot of time, to get on the ball in becoming a nurse. I live in the Bakersfield area. Ok, now, I know I want to be a nurse, that works in a hospital, I have always wanted to work in a hospital. So Im thinking I should go for RN at BC. But I was looking at the pre-req's, and boy oh boy, there is alot of em. I was just gonna go ahead and go for LVN but I want to work in a hospital not a LTC.

First off, I feel Im too old to go for RN, and quite frankly, I dont know if Im smart enough for RN. There are more pre-req's than LVn and more educational classes I would have to take. I also keep hearing that its harder to get in a rn program, and the chemistry is really hard, I barly went to high school, so I never took chemistry. Also I hear its hard to get in the LVN-rn bridge program as well. So as you can see, Im totally confused on what route to take...go for LVN or straight for RN!

I was hoping some of you can give me some advice and try to guide me in the right direction for my area.

Thank you so much for taking time to read this post.

Barbara.

[BabyCatchr, ADN, ASN, RN]

OK, now there's someone in a similar boat to me, teensmom, so that is encouraging. I am "only" 40, but a single parent with no help from family or friends. Others have done this and I will too!

Oh, by the way, I got tutoring from the school's free tutoring lab for Algebra. It was a lifesaver!! I'm scared of Stats! Thank you for the encouragement! I will back in that tutoring lab...

I have everyone topped by my age-50!. I took chemistry for the first time ever 3 years ago, I was so scared, I hired a tutor before the class even started. It was really worth it, the tutor helped me not to be anxious and I really understood what I was doing. I actually got an "A". I also took statistics over winter break-it was only 3 weeks but 7-8 hours a day. I also got an 'A' in that class. I hadn't taken algebra since I was a freshman in high school. Somehow I was able to do it. Don't let your fear get in the way! I was amazed and so were my friends that I got such good grades, I was known as a math doofus. Not anymore.

I am also a single parent with a mentally ill daughter, if I could do it, so can you.

[plumiegirl]

You are only limited by your own self expectations. I went back to college and nursing school 18 years out of high school, with a 6 month old who later was diagnosed with autism, divorced no less, and back at financial bottom so to speak. My motivation was hunger literally and the need to be self reliant plus I really liked the science courses. Just 13 years out with my license I now have a BSN and an M.ed. plus a public health nurse license and a second language to boot. Maybe you, like me, did not know what we wanted until life made it really clear what needed to be done. Learning keeps one growing, get into school and enjoy it, I am glad I did. There is nothing you can't do as long as you believe in you. :wink2:

[Code_VSA]

Excuses.....quit listening to your head and listen to your heart!

GO FOR IT!

When I got out of high school I didn't think I was smart either, I went through a LVN program in Chula Vista, CA. Worked in a hospital and had 3 children. Moved from California to the South where the wages were 50% less. Didn't go back to school for 7 years. I didn't want to pay a babysitter and have nothing left over. I realized I would have to go back to school for my RN just to make California's LVN wages. I started out slow with easy classes for my prerequisites. English Comp, Bone Head Chemistry, basic Algebra, Social Studies, etc. With my fourth child, I went to classes on Tuesday night, delivered my son Wednesday, back in class on Thursday.

I was accepted into a 2 year Nursing program. Was signing up for my classes when the couselor for Financial Services at Mississippi Community College in Blytheville, AR coldly told me that I would not be able to get a Pell Grant or any loans for Nursing School because I already had a 2 year degree as an LVN from California. I was devastated!! I started crying uncontrollably. I asked him, "You guys knew what my major was, I've been coming to this school year round for almost 2 years and NOW you tell me two weeks before nursing classes start??!" He just shrugged his shoulders and couldn't have cared less. He was a cold son of a sea going sailor. (That's why I mention the school.)

His secretary was very kind, gave me tissue after tissue to stem the river of disappointment flowing from my eyes . She was the one that told me that if I went on for a BSN then I did qualify for Pell and student loans. Once I got over the disappointment I regrouped, and started taking the second half of the prerquesities (History II, English Comp II, etc). The military base closed down where we were stationed at and I moved to my husband's home town in TN. I raised my 4 kids in a dilapidated house with no heat or air, and undrinkable well water. My husband was away in the military. I graduated in 1993. It was the best thing I could have done for myself and my family.

Now, if I can do it......you can do it. Just start with two easy classes. Make a list of all the prerequsites you need. Keep it and tick off each class you finish. It gets addicting when you get so close to your goal.

Oh....my youngest daughter who is 25, unmarried with two small children, listened to the same advice I have given you. She dropped out of high school and only has her GED. She started last year and will be finishing her prerequisites in December for Nursing.

Next year you will be 32, then 33 and so on. Start now with the classes, either way time will pass....at least have something to show for it. Do it for yourself and do it for your children.

[babs4u]

Thank you all SO much for the great advice!!

I was a little worried at first, and still am. But I made myself take the assesment test, and I enrolled. The CC that Im going to, the lvn program has a 2 year waitlist, the RN program is lottery based. SO... I am doing what alot of you said, (and the poster above) I made a list of ALL the pre-reqs. for both programs, and I am starting to register for a few, I am a little late, since all the classes are full right now. But I managed to get on their waitlist. Hopefully I will be able to get into them, and when Nov., Dec. rolles around Im gonna get on the ball and register for more. When Im done with ALL the classes I need, I will apply for BOTH programs, and take the one the comes my way first and go from there

I did VERY well on the Reading and english portion of the assesment (dont even need to take the required pre-reqs because of that) But I didnt do so well on the math (which I expected) But thats ok, Im prepared to work my way up.

Maybe in the meantime, between taking my classes and waiting to be accepted, I will work on getting my CNA.

Thank you all again for the VERY kind words. I really like it here! If I wouldnt have found this site, I would be lost...thank you for that.

Barbara

[Code_VSA]

:flowersfo :anpom: :w00t:

No stopping you now!

[texashyles]

Most people change their career 7 times or so in a lifetime. Your first career is that of professional mom and wife. (So was mine.) Are you good at it? Is it challenging? Does it have it's ups and downs like any career? Ultimately, is it worth it? Absolutely, IMHO, and I wouldn't change a thing. (I am 31, 4 kids, 1 on the way, and in my 4th year of nursing school.)

If *it* (anything worth doing, and possibly challenging) was easy, everyone would do it.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[linhi]

If you are unsure, you might go for the LVN first. There are some of them working in hospitals although it's more difficult to get those jobs. They pay more and there are not as many of them. Once you get the LVN and you get into practice, it will give you an idea about how you like it and whether you want to continue on to the RN or not. Don't ever believe you are too old to go for that BSN degree. I'm 52 and working on mine. I got a diploma over 30 years ago which has since become obsolete but still accepted for those of us who have one. LVN's have to do some chemistry too. Don't let those courses scare you. You just need to develop a study plan. Maybe your kids can help. You go girl! Good luck to you. I hope you enjoy nursing as much as I do.

[81ke83]

I was 46 when I started the pre-reqs. I finished nursing school when I was 52 and have been a nurse for a little over a year. I personally would not do the LVN program. Study hard get decent grades on your pre-reqs and you will do just fine. The hardest part is enrolling after that it all fits into place. :heartbeat

[mfrancisco]

I am 31 and this is my second career. You are not too old and you did not waste any time, especially since you were raising a family. It's good to go to school when you are ready. I have a B.A., and went to school when I was way too young so my undergrad GPA is really weighing me down. I have gotten As in all of my science pre-reqs so far. I am much more focused now that I am 31 instead of 18. Really focus on making excellent grades. You have a lot of life experience now, so it is probably the right time for you at this point in time versus earlier in your life. good luck.

[pwp1289]

all the married women did the best in my nursing class--one woman even had 9 kids and was at the top of our class! ! ! ---you'll still be 10 years older in 10 years whether or not you go back to school--so go for it------good luck--I have been working my dream for the past 44years and wouldn't trade it for a second

[BHC student]

First of all your NOT too old.. I am older than you, and just now starting my last semester of the RN program. It has been a long road (4 years to be exact). I have worked another job all thru my pre-req's and the program. Take your time, and if you want it bad enough, YOU can do it.. Have faith and good luck..:) Tracy