New Here! Few Questions ?

[NycMom, RN]

Hi I am Keri.... 30 yrs old married for 11 yrs and have 3 children.My youngest was a Nicu baby... He was born 37+ weeks by planned c-section.Wound up on a ocsilating vent with nitros oxide and many many other things.. He spent 21 days there.The hardest days of my life.He is 3 as of last week and I still struggle every day. I have always wanted to be a nurse. So far all I have done is graduate high school. I was a medical assistant and I am very very very well self educated in medicine. I have spent the last 8 years raising my children. My passion in life is to become a NICU and OB RN!!!! My passion is to help these babies to send them home and to help the parents deal.Which 3 yrs later I am still struggling in my own mind!!!

Would a 2 yr community college nursing degree be sufficiant to begin working in the nursing field ? Is 30 too old to begin?? Can it be done with Children at home? Any info is greatly appreciated!!!

[Tiki_Torch]

Hi Keri!

Your life experiences would benefit soooo many lives you would touch if you were a nurse!!! I'm sooo very glad to hear your son is well. It sounds like he was one of the most ill types of babies we see in the NICU. Happy outcomes are what we live for!!!

Yes, yes, yes... a 2 year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is enough education for you to be able to take the NCLEX-RN test which is the test nursing school graduates must take to obtain their nursing license. The 2-year ADNs take the same test as the 4-year BSNs (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) to obtain their license.

With your previous education, you may already have many hours that could be used toward your nursing degree. I was 28 when I went to nursing school (2 year program) and 30 when I graduated. Our class had people from ages 17 to 57 all graduating together! It's never ever too late!!! It's certainly more of a challenge when you have a family to care for at the same time, and you need plenty of support from your family. During school there will be plenty of times when you need to be studying and someone else is washing clothes and cooking dinner. We had two students get divorced during our 2 year program and one or two long term relationships ended. Some relationships can't handle the stress and other times the spouse feels threatened or some other wierdness occurrs. Just be sure you talk things over with your family so they know there will be sacrifices for the whole family for a couple of years but that it will all be worth it in the end.

Another great suggestion is to have all your core classes completed before you begin the actual nursing classes. I can't stress this enough!!!!!!!! It would also give you and your family a taste of what life will be like when Mom is having to study.

Try contacting your local community college to see what they have to offer. Make sure the program is accredited by the NLN (National League for Nursing) which is very important. Ask about their NCLEX-RN passing rates. Then speak with a nursing advisor who can help you map out a plan of study.

You have sooooo much to offer with your experience and your big heart!!! It's at least worth looking into. Once you start studying, you might change your mind but you'll never know if you don't try. You are not too old either, you are the perfect age and sound like you have the maturity and desire.

Go for it!!!!!!

[PowercarveJen]

I too had an NICU baby that prompted me to go back to school to be a NICU RN. You are NEVER too old to fulfill your dreams and to become a RN. I am in a BSN program and will graduate in May 2004, I have classmates that are grandparents. GO FOR IT!!!

I think that an ADN (2yr) degree would be a great place for anyone, then if you decide later you could go back and do RN to BSN. Don't give up you can do it.

[Mina222]

I'm a preemie mom to Lilah born at 30 weeks due to PPROM at 27 weeks . Did your son have PPHN? Lilah did and even through all my preemie boards i am having a hard time finding anyone to swap experiences with.. anyway good luck on becoming a nicu nurse, you must be one tough cookie, i spent 60 days there with Lilah and i cant even bring myself to go back and visit yet.. maybe its still too fresh in my mind ...

Kristen

mom to Lilah 5/2/03, 30 weeker

[nurseiam]

My best friend took her pre-requisites one at a time in the evening. It took her a few years but you have to start somewhere!

Nursing school is the hardest thing I have ever done! But your family does have to be willing to give you time. My husband stepped back and let me do my thing. He had to be fourth in my life, sometimes even farther down the line! When I started I nursing school I had a five year old and worked two part time jobs. Then I had a baby during my second year(I don't reccommend it).

But here we are now 5 years later, I love my job and we are able to travel and spend lots of time with our girls!

My 11 year old was in special cae for three long weeks and I think it has helped me when dealing with parents and their different situation. I have empathy with my families where others have sympathy. Sometimes it makes a difference!