34, Mom and a GED

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Hello Everyone,

I am so happy I found you all.

I am VERY interested in going to Nursing School, for a long time. But, being in the Marriage I was in; it was almost impossible.

Now I am on my own I can spread my wings.

I am Mom to a 14 month old Son, I plan to relocate from LA to possibly TX or Buffalo NY and I want to begin Nursing School.

My dilemma is that all I have is a GED, will they accept me? I see some entrance Exams that I do not even know about. Is it best that I do some classes before I enroll or can I do them while I go to school?

If any of you got a later start into going to Nursing School - PLEASE share your experiences with me.

Sincerely Thankful...

Cassy

Thank You so much! Spangle Brown

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I had a GED mother of six graduated lpn 2013 at 34 working on lpn to rn at 35!! You can do it a GED is not a hindrance!! GOOD LUCK!!

Thank You so much!

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I started working when I was 13, moved out of the house at 17, and dropped out my senior year of HS. I got my GED 6 months later. Spent most of my working years as a waitress, bartender, and then restaurant manager. I started my journey to become a nurse when I was 34 yrs old. I enrolled with my local community college, and took placement tests for math and English. For math, I placed in pre-algebra, and this part alone held me back quite a bit, because I needed pre-algebra, to take beginning algebra, to take intermediate algebra, and only THEN could I take Chemistry, one of the 4 pre-reqs to the nursing program offered at my community college. On top of that, getting into all of the other classes I needed was a struggle due to wait lists, but this got better as I gained seniority at my CC.

I don't know how private nursing schools work but for the JC's in my area that offer RN programs, the GED is no problem, but you will need to take placement tests in English and math, and then depending on how you place, you could be looking at getting right into the pre-reqs you need, or you may be like me, looking at over a year worth of school to take pre-reqs to your pre-reqs to your pre-reqs. Once you meet the criteria for admission to the nursing program, then you can apply. Depending on how the program works in your area, you may get in right away, or you could be waiting for years.

Is it possible? Absolutely! You will need dedication, drive, and determination, and you will need to make sacrifices in your life so you can spend the needed time to study, attend classes, and later when you are in the program, attend clinicals. You can get accepted to a JC with a GED, but to get into a university, you will need to achieve a certain level of grades, classes, and units at the JC before the university will accept you.

I'm 40 now and in my senior year at a California State University getting ready to graduate with a BSN. Not bad for a high-school dropout who's mother told her in her teens that she should drop out of HS because she was wasting the states money. It is absolutely possible, but it is a difficult road that takes a lot of dedication.

Thank You so much!

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Look into the schools available before you decide where to move; community colleges are much easier to cope with in a new place, easier to take a few classes at a time, child care on campus, etc. My school is open enrollment, which just means anyone, regardless of GED or GPA, can start signing up. Plus, the admissions counselors are really familiar with the needs of returning adults, academically, financially, etc. They can really put you on the right path. Good luck!

Thank You! I plan to move to TX.... and since finding here I have actually been calling around. Thank You!

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And please, even if it's not a bra, it still shouts I am a liability.

If another person complaints I will take it out, but right now 1 complain is insignificant.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Sent you a PM!

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Sent you a PM!

JBudd, I can no longer send PM, apparently I need to have 10 posts on there. Thank You so much and will be in touch. Thank You for all your help.

Cassy

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I had a GED and got into a very competitive ADN program. All that mattered were my pre-req college courses. Started nursing school at age 28. 21 years later I can say it was the right thing to do. Now at age 52 I just passed the exam to be certified in my specialty. Go for it!

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I had a GED and got into a very competitive ADN program. All that mattered were my pre-req college courses. Started nursing school at age 28. 21 years later I can say it was the right thing to do. Now at age 52 I just passed the exam to be certified in my specialty. Go for it!

Thank You so much, Thank You! Very inspiring.

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Advice received.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Let's keep it civil you two, no need for disrespect in either direction.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

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