just starting out and need direction

[mom23boyz]

I've been thinking about going back to school for years. I already have a BA in Journalism but there is no money in that and jobs are hard to find. I've been a stay home mom for the past 5 years (degree in '97). With two small children at home and no one around to help with babysitting I would like to take as many classes online as possible while I have my youngest home. But I really have no idea what I need to do or where to begin. I guess a BSN or ADN would be my best route but am worried that none of my previous coursework would apply since it was so long ago and since it was in AZ. I really want to work in L&D or maternity. Financial assistance would be great too. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I begin and how to maximize my time at home with my children and not be at school/class all the time? I am in Upper Montgomery Co. Thanks!

[SiennaGreen]

I can say what I did when mine were all younger. When my baby was 9 mos, I began taking night classes one at a time. I have a previous degree also, but most RN programs require that your core sciences (A&P, Chem, Micro) be less than 10 years old. I needed to take them again. It was a nice pace, and a wonderful break and time for me to feel productive again. When my baby was then 2, I took a FT semester with her in child care just to speed things up. I was then able to begin Nursing School FT the next semester. My oldest 2 will be in school and DH and I can juggle them without additional care. Day care is pricey, but for me, simply an expense that must be paid. I did not have any option for an evening program (I know there are some) and honestly, I could not have done it while still at home with them during the day and just doing NS at night. Wayyyy too much work and too little time to study without distraction.

You will need tobegin scoping out what is available to you. I know you have a couple ADN programs neaby and UMD has a BSN program at Shady Grove. Go online, find out their requirements, and start matching up your previous coursework to their pre req's. Then, look at how much each program will cost tuition wise, time wise (child care costs add up) and schedule wise. I decided against UMD because while it would be shorter time wise to the BSN, travel was greater, the schedule was all over the place and difficult to predict, and I was ineligibl for their Financial Aid because they used a total cumulative GPA and my degree was 20 years ago was a 2.9. Even though my pre req's I took over were all a 4.0, it still didn't bring me up to the minimum for scholarship. I did choose a local CC, who offered me scholarships based on my pre req GPA, cost less overall, and fit better travel/time wise. Now, I need to do the online BSN through UMD, and hopefully my employer will pay for it. It takes longer, but I end up with the same degree.

Take your time and scope everything out. Plus, don't get discouraged. If you really want it, you will find a way to make it happen eventually!

[Jules A, MSN]

All your pre-reqs should transfer and if not I'd really fight to get them accepted. You will probably need some of the sciences like Microbiology and A&P some of which you may be able to do online. I'd check out local community colleges. Anne Arundel CC always has a great selection of online classes and while you pay more for being out of county it is super convientent. Good luck!

[scrub<3]

Because you already have a bachelors you may want to take a look at UMD's CNL program or different accelerated BSN programs local universities (like Catholic U) offer.

Best thing to do is research all the nursing schools in the area and see what classes you have to take/retake in order to apply. You will probably not need to take classes like english, sociology, art, ect. because of your previous degree. I know you said you want to take as many classes online but microbiology, chem. and especially AP are pretty hard I would be hesitant in taking them online.