New Pre-Nursing Student Here.....

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Feb 11, 2009

I'm a 35 year old mother of 2 young children and I went for my BSN and am glad I did that. I went to UCO which is a great school and also affordable. The instructors also understand and will work with you about childcare needs, etc. We could miss 1 day of clinicals per clinical term and I always had help from them around clinical times and childcare. It was really great. I felt prepared (as a new nurse can be) when I graduated!

I didn't think nursing school was that hard, just takes a lot of your time. I was really busy, but it was a lot of fun!!

travis73 · Feb 12, 2009

Hello Buster. You and I are in similar situations. Good luck to you.

(ps-I also have a fortune cookie slip that I stuck on my fridge. It Claims - "You will win success in whatever you attempt." Haha!)

Okie1 · Feb 14, 2009

Buster,

Glad to see another guy on here. I am also going back to nursing school after being in the work force for many years. I have been in healthcare administration and have my MBA. I want to do something different and more rewarding for next 20 years of my life. I'm 44.

I am completing my sciences and just complete Biology and Psych last semester. It was very time consuming with work and all but doable. I'm in A&PI this semester. I'm going for my ADN and then my Masters in Nursing as I want to teach on day.

Best of luck to you!

Okie1

travis73 · Feb 14, 2009

The news, paper and tv, keep running stories about the male population, in nursing, increasing. But I've also heard stories of people finishing school, getting the degree, getting a job, and then moving on to something else because the job wasn't what they expected. Seems like a huge waste of everyone's time to me.

Mommyto2and2 · Feb 15, 2009

My husband is in the IT field and is a manager of development.... He is basically the guy that gets all the demos dropped on him with less than a day to make them happen!!LOL He is in the same boat thinking that something else might be better for the family. That is so wonderful that you broke out and decided to do what you really want to do.

There are alot of options on childcare and finances. Good luck to you and don't think your alone being a man in the nursing field... there arent as many but I have 4 in my class alone:D

Ciale · Feb 15, 2009

Hello Buster. You and I are in similar situations. Good luck to you.
(ps-I also have a fortune cookie slip that I stuck on my fridge. It Claims - "You will win success in whatever you attempt." Haha!)

Haha. You guys are funny. The one on my fridge says: "your investments of time now will lead to success in the future"

Buster, good luck to you. Go for your RN now!

Buster70 · Feb 16, 2009

Its good to hear from all of you....thanks for the encouraging words. As I'm preparing for my first Biology exam, I'm starting to get nervous....there's so much to absorb and understand. I think if I can get through this first exam with a decent grade, I'll be a lot more comfortable with my abilities....

Katy-NursingStudent · Feb 16, 2009

I don't know what part of the start you are in, but there are a few community colleges the offer the bridge program from a bachelors(in another field besides nursing) into RN and its about the same about of time as LPN-RN so if you dont have to, don't take that route!

Buster70 · Feb 16, 2009

Yeah, I've looked at the bridge programs....and, being a business major, I have to take all the science pre-reqs to be eligible for the bridge programs or conventional, either way....I have to bite the bullet and go for it.

BTW....I'm in Tulsa. Enrolled at Tulsa Community College.

travis73 · Feb 17, 2009

Those pre-reqs to the pre-reqs start to add up. In time and money!!

OKMom · Feb 18, 2009

Hi Brett! Good for you for going back to school! I too am married and have a son and recently made the decision to pursue nursing. I'm changing careers as well and it's not easy at first but I know you can do it. I'm currently at OSU OKC and there's a variety of ages and people of all different backgrounds in the classes, working, married and single parents. Night classes have been the best option for me and the 2 year program there seems to be set up in a way where you can get your RN and still have somewhat of a family and part-time career life. I'm thinking of getting my CNA to help me gain some experience in the field - they offer a 12 day course for you to get your certification. I also heard that once you complete the first two nursing semesters you can go ahead and take an LPN exam. The program at this school is 4 semesters and allow you to take the NCLEX but it's recommended that the pre-reqs be completed first. Anatomy was the hardest for me but I survived. Stay strong and be confident. You WILL get through it and while difficult at first, it will be very rewarding in the end. Let me know if I can be of any help. I'm currently taking Chemistry and it's no picnic but I'm hanging in there. Take care!