Hoping to become a nurse

catzy5 · Nov 27, 2006

Hi everyone, I just registered here yesterday. I just love this site. It's so informative.
I'm a stay at home mom to 3 children and want to start school soon, while my youngest (age 1) is still at home. I want to become an LPN, but am nervous about going back to school (I'm 32...and very shy) and also I really do not know much about medicine, taking bp, ect. But I know that I want very much to help care for people and I'm so excited to finally know what I want to do with my life, outside of being a loving mother. I plan to call a local technical school that offers an LPN program tomorrow. Can anyone tell me what to expect? I'm kind of afraid that I'll go into the class and everyone will have some kind of experience with nursing and I won't know anything.
Don't get me wrong... I know that nursing is what I want to do, but am just extremely nervous to do well.
Thanks for any advice and encouragement you all can give me.
I look forward to getting to know everyone on this new journey in my life.

Hi Maddies mom,

Welcome to the forum. I too was an older student returning to school, I have 3 kids and started 3 years ago pecking away at my classes. Its really been great therapy for me as a mom I loved being home with my kids they are all in school now and its time for me to move on to what I want to do. I have minimal health care experience nothing hands on, but I was a medical secretary for an intensive care unit in Chicago. It was enough to make me realize I wanted more hands on. I don't know how to do blood work, BP anything but thats what school is for. It seems overwhelming sometimes but its really been great for me!

Good luck in your venture you will do great!

maddiesmommy · Nov 27, 2006

catzy,

Thank you, I wish you all the best as well. :)

Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 28, 2006

I know how you feel. I am 32 and have three children & a stepson as well. I have found that the classes are more diverse than you would think. There are always students who are younger, and those who are older, those with experience and those with none. I have not found it to be difficult blending in or making friends. I am enjoying it! I am sure you will too. Good luck!

lisabeth · Nov 28, 2006

Best of luck to you. I just started back last Spring and was very nervous, and to be honest, I was wondering if I could really get through the pre-requisites, and here I am, not even a year later, and I am in my last semester. I dont want to leave the impression it hasnt been hard, because it has, but I have done it, and so can you. Keep a positive attitude,and you will be fine.

Hi everyone, I just registered here yesterday. I just love this site. It's so informative.
I'm a stay at home mom to 3 children and want to start school soon, while my youngest (age 1) is still at home. I want to become an LPN, but am nervous about going back to school (I'm 32...and very shy) and also I really do not know much about medicine, taking bp, ect. But I know that I want very much to help care for people and I'm so excited to finally know what I want to do with my life, outside of being a loving mother. I plan to call a local technical school that offers an LPN program tomorrow. Can anyone tell me what to expect? I'm kind of afraid that I'll go into the class and everyone will have some kind of experience with nursing and I won't know anything.
Don't get me wrong... I know that nursing is what I want to do, but am just extremely nervous to do well.
Thanks for any advice and encouragement you all can give me.
I look forward to getting to know everyone on this new journey in my life.

RNwntaB · Nov 28, 2006

Hi Maddiesmom~

I am also 32. I have 2 kids ages 6 & 2, an in-home daycare, & a husband who works crazy hours.

I do not have any medical experience either...Just the normal things every MOM deals with....

I decided to start chipping away at my pre-reqs while my 2 yr old is still at home. I signed up with a local college in August and started taking my 1st pre-req on-line. I am just taking one class per semester & will do all that I can on-line....

So far, I love it!

My plan is to be READY for Nursing school when my 2yr old starts Kindergarten....I'm just makin the most of the next 3 or 4 years! No sense in sitting here being idle!

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!!

stpauligirl · Nov 28, 2006

Hi Maddiesmom~
I am also 32. I have 2 kids ages 6 & 2, an in-home daycare, & a husband who works crazy hours.
I do not have any medical experience either...Just the normal things every MOM deals with....
I decided to start chipping away at my pre-reqs while my 2 yr old is still at home. I signed up with a local college in August and started taking my 1st pre-req on-line. I am just taking one class per semester & will do all that I can on-line....
So far, I love it!
My plan is to be READY for Nursing school when my 2yr old starts Kindergarten....I'm just makin the most of the next 3 or 4 years! No sense in sitting here being idle!
GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!!

There is another heroic mom

maddiesmommy · Nov 29, 2006

RNwntaB

Thanks for the advice! I might consider doing just that. I don't think there is a cc near me in my state, but there is one about 30 minutes away in the next state over. Of course, they'll probably charge me out-of-state fees...which stinks. I might call them tomorrow to ask about their nursing program.

Thanks! :)

cincin1 · Nov 29, 2006

You can do it!

catzy5 · Nov 29, 2006

Hi Maddiesmom~
I am also 32. I have 2 kids ages 6 & 2, an in-home daycare, & a husband who works crazy hours.
I do not have any medical experience either...Just the normal things every MOM deals with....
I decided to start chipping away at my pre-reqs while my 2 yr old is still at home. I signed up with a local college in August and started taking my 1st pre-req on-line. I am just taking one class per semester & will do all that I can on-line....
So far, I love it!
My plan is to be READY for Nursing school when my 2yr old starts Kindergarten....I'm just makin the most of the next 3 or 4 years! No sense in sitting here being idle!
GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!!

This has been my thoughts too my youngest started K in 04 and I started back then chipping away. I kept saying even if I didn't get in anywhere these courses have been a huge benifit to me! I can now keep up with my kids in Math LOL. Also psychologically doing these subjects I never thought I could do i.e college Algebra, Chemistry and doing well in them has been such great medicine for me really picks up my self esteem and boosts my spirit as a mom sometimes its hard to get any sort of positive reinforcement so school has been my therapy I work hard I see good grades it just lifts me.

JoeyDog · Nov 29, 2006

Just call around to the schools that you are interested in. They will tell you pretty much everything you need to know. Most usually offer nursing information sessions. Those are pretty helpful when you know very little about the field, they also usually have a Q & A session at the end. The prereq classes for the LPN program are typically fewer than the RN prereq classes. You will most likely have to take english, math, a chemistry class, and a humanities class. That is what the LPN programs in my state of Wa usually require +/- a couple other classes.

College is very different from high school. 9/10 people are there b/c they genuinely want to succeed and learn the material. The classes are, as previously stated, very diverse. You will have people in their 50's +, people who are still in high school, and people in their 20' and 30's. It really runs the gammet (sp). I am also shy but it is easier to talk to people in your college classes b/c most are focused on the class so you can start up a conversation about getting a study group together or something.

Also if you are interested in gaining experience I would suggest that you become a CNA and work part time. I recieved my training for free at a local nursing home and they gave me a job when I finished my training. As a CNA you will get comfortable interacting with patients, taking routine vitals, and you will get to see what the nurses do, you won't become too familiar with medications but you will learn about some common meds.

Hope I helped and I wish you the best of luck on your new adventure!!!