Just starting...an introduction

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I've been reading this site for a few weeks and want to jump in. I'm not sure I'm posting in the right spot, so feel free to move this or let me know.

So I'm a 43-year-old mother of 4 teenagers whose DH was recently diagnosed with a chronic illness. I know within the next 5-ish years I will be the primary breadwinner for our family, and have decided I want to pursue a nursing degree. I am starting pre-req classes at our local community college this week and, have to admit, I am a little nervous about going back!

I graduated with a degree in communications 20+ years ago, as well as graduated from law school 19 years ago, but haven't really worked much at all for the last 17 years. No law firm is going to hire someone my age with only 2 years of experience from 15 years ago, so no, being a lawyer is out. Plus, I hated it!

I'm excited and nervous at the same time, and looking forward to learning a lot from each of you here!

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Specializes in New nurse, nursing assistant 5 years.

Hey!!!! What are you taking this semester? And what degree track will you be doing? I am taking; Anatomy lecture and lab and College Algebra. I decided for me personally that it is more productive to do my pre-reqs and than transfer out to a university and get my BSN. I work as a Hospice aide and I love every second of it!!!!

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I'm taking College Algebra, General Biology with the lab, Intro to Psychology, and Writing. 14 hours total. I'm sure some of my courses from my first degree could transfer and fill some requirements, but I have forgotten a lot and want to start from the very beginning. I am just doing the pre-reqs at the CC, and then will apply to several local programs for either an ADN at the CC or an accelerated BSN at the local university - wherever I can get into.

I figure one thing I have going for me is that I know how to study and work hard. I'm not at the CC to party, or find myself, or take some classes to figure out what I want to do with my life. I'm there to learn the material cold and get A's because I have a DH, children, mortgage, etc. that are counting on it.

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Specializes in New nurse, nursing assistant 5 years.

LOVE IT!!!! That is where I am, I want to do BSN, but will be applying for everything from PN-BSN and see where I get in. It is so true since it is just me and I take care of my mom and the kids, it just gives me a whole "nother" level of perspective. I use flash cards and in bio and the lab I made an "A", Kahn academy and my CC weebly page helped me out a lot if there is anything I can do to help let me know!!! Good luck this semester.

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Thanks for your support - good luck to you, too!

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Specializes in New nurse, nursing assistant 5 years.

YW, us nursing students have to stick together.........

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You sound like a great candidate for nursing. I wonder if there will be some way to meld your law degree with nursing. I could see you maybe being a nurse consultant with a malpractice defense attorney some day or something similar. It sure would be a shame to let a JD degree sit on the shelf gathering dust after all that hard work!

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That's a good idea for down the road - I will keep that in the back of my head. Thank you! Nursing appeals to me for lots of reasons: I like the idea of flexible shifts (overnight if necessary), good health insurance for my family (will become more important in time for my DH), and the variety of what I can do (hospital, dr. clinic, LTC).

I have several family members in health care and I think it's a good field - people are always going to get sick. I'm also a pretty level-headed person who can keep my cool in stressful situations, and it takes quite a bit to gross me out.

I'm excited to get going on this!

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