Is there a sticky of "where to start"???

[pashari]

I'm currently a 43 y/o mom of 2 little kids (5 y/o & 2 y/o). I quit college back in 1989 12 credits short of my BS in Business Management. I've worked for 16 years in the insurance industry as an underwriter before losing my job in 2005 after 14 years with the same company (it's a super long story). I've been a SAHM since then.

In deciding what to do with my professional life when I decide to return to work I was looking for something that would give me more personal satisfaction than just pushing papers from one end of my desk to the other. During this period in my life I've had to deal with extensive illness in both my mother and step-father as well as my nephew. I really think that nursing is something that I could really be good at and enjoy.

How do you begin???? I've done some research and while going for the BSN would be nice the local schools are so expensive. I've been thinking of getting my RN with an Associates at the local community college.

From what I understand, once you are in the nursing program (which can be tough to get into as there is a waitlist for most if not all) than it would be 18 months to get your RN license.

I guess what I'm trying to get a feel for is what this all entails time wise. I understand there is course work as well as clinical work. Is the clinical work a 9 to 5 type of deal for a certain number of weeks or is it for the full 18 months. If it's not for the full 18 months is it in the beginning or towards the end.

I mean I am a SAHM and my DH works afternoons so I am primarily a single parent. I need to get my oldest to and from school every day. I need to get her to her ice skating classes twice per week, to her ballet classes once per week. I also have my youngest child to care for and she does have some minor special needs which require me to get her to physical therapy and occupational therapy once a week. As the only SAHM in our extended family, I also watch a few of my nieces and nephews two days per week. So, as you can see, this will all take some adjusting and I'm trying to figure out if it is feasible or if I should just wait 3 years until my

youngest is in school full time.

In a perfect world, I'd like to start now going to school part-time and be ready to go to work (or very close to it) once my youngest is school age. I'm sure the easiest thing to do is to get in touch with the college nursing program but I'd thought I'd put it out there to get a better idea.

Thanks for any input.

hugs -

lisa

[smartin13]

I would check out the local programs and see what if any of your credits transfer. Worrying about actuall nursing classes may not be the first obstical. If you have a large amount of classes that you need to take or retake why not take them now, they are more flexible. If you find a program that you can jump right into there will be a lot of things that will have to be moved around in your life. My weekly class schedule is this just to give you an idea. M lecture 9-1230 T clinical 7-330 W lecture 1230-330 H clinical 7-330. I have already finished all other classes I need for the program so I do not have to take A&P or development classes while doing my nursing classes. Also you have to factor in time for studying and reading which is about 200-300 pages a week for my program. Also going to facilities the night before clinical to get assignments. Good luck I hope everything works out for you and don't give up!