My situation

[ramgrad07]

I need help. I am 19 years old. I am currently a college student at the CSM [College of Southern Maryland]. I've changed my major many times, from general studies ,pre-nursing, and now business administration. My goal for the future is to be a nurse in the newborn nursery and then hopefully work in the NICU. Here's the thing. I don't know if I should go back to the pre-nursing or start the actual nursing program where I can get my RN license. I want to transfer to VCU [Virginia Commonwealth University]. In order for me to to go VCU, I have to live in VA after I'm done at CSM for a year and not go to school during that year living in VA. I'd have to work, work, work. My heart is fully set on becoming a nurse. I personally don't want to do pre-nursing because I'd like to have my RN by the time I'm done here at CSM so that I can work at a hospital when I move to VA. This is the problem: parents. I don't think they would approve of me becoming a nurse because I didn't do so well when I was majoring in pre-nursing. If I do the nursing program, I know what to expect. Classes for the spring are signing up pretty quick. Two of the classes I need, which is Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology, are filling up. There are 10 seats available out of 20. If I bring it up to my parents, I have a high feeling that they won't let me do it. It's my life, not theirs. I'm hoping to compromise to my dad because he is more understanding than my mother that I could pay the tuition myself, which is about $240 or $260 each month of the semester I believe. I just hate knowing how my parents don't really have faith in me doing nursing. Everytime I bring it up, it brings stress and arguments between me and my parents:cry:. I need them to be understanding but I don't think they will.

I need help.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[sunray12]

How many science and/or nursing school prereqs have you taken? Did you get decent grades in them? I ask because I can't tell from your post how far along you are in the process. I also can't tell if you know this but you can't just transfer to a nursing program. You have to apply and be admitted to a nursing program. There is a prerequisite checklist that you would have to complete and while there are some basic courses that are standard requirements such as A&P and math, other requirements vary from school to school. There's a lot of demand for nursing programs these days so admission is competitive and in order to get in it helps to have the best grades you can get in your prereq courses.

About your parents concerns - your school probably has plenty of foundational science, math and health courses that you can take without committing to any program. And your college career center may be able to help you find some health care volunteer opportunities. If you do well in all this you won't just convince

your parents that you're ready for a career in nursing you'll be able to convince nursing programs admissions committees as well.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

You have multiple areas of concern and multiple questions in each area. To answer as simply as possible, much depends on how many pre-requisites you've completed prior to your application to the nursing program. Whether you should apply at this time depends primarily on whether you are even eligible; you need to check with your school advisor and the admissions dept to find out what you have, what you need, and what you have to do to get into the nursing program.

Once all that is done, then you're in a better position to discuss things with your parents. Honestly, I can understand their concern, as you've "changed majors many times" and you're all of 19. Right now you say you have your "heart set" on nursing; I don't blame them for wondering if your heart is going to be re-set after a semester or two of what is usually a grueling process.

Find out the courses you lack now that you need, and whether you need to repeat any to improve a grade. Get information on financial aid on your own, so you can have something to show your parents if needed.