no prior experience..advice plz

[brandi-007]

I just applied to my local community college and will begin my general education classes this fall. Im 22 and a stay at home mom. I have no prior work experience in the medical field but when i had my daughter last Feb. it was like a calling for me. I never imagined id want to be a nurse(ever, it would prob. be at the bottom of my list of things to do), but i never realized until i had my little girl(8 weeks early, nicu) how much a nurse can make a difference. Nurses really are angels:) It has weighed heavy on my heart since then to get out there and pursue nursing as a neonatal nurse. Is it stupid of me to plunge into this without prior experience?.. i feel like in the past 16 months ive done a complete 180. Also im very shy and i dont have thick skin..every post i read says you cant be a nurse if your shy and soft..any advice?

[Bobmo88]

You should try volunteering and/or taking a CNA class to see if the field is really for you. I wanted to know for sure that I could handle the not-so-glorious tasks associated with nursing so I volunteered in a hospital in many different departments and that only confirmed that I belong in the field. I now work as a tech and will be starting nursing school in the fall! I didn't want to leave anything to chance so I prepared myself mentally and gave myself the confidence that this was something I could do. Good luck to you!

[Tinkx RN]

congrats on your little girl, but i myself is very shy and soft skinned, but if you truely want this, you will slowly but surely find your way in this field. Just have faith and you will be fine

[Hygiene Queen]

See if there is a nursing home or hospital (or wherever) that will pay for you to become a CNA.

You can have the class paid for and get your feet wet all in one go.

I was extremely shy and introverted but nursing has been nothing but a blessing.

I am far more out-going and confident (as I have to be!) than when I began many moons ago.

It's nice to already be working as a CNA before nursing school. You will have already learned the very very basic aspects of nursing care and gained a comfort level with the hands-on (you need to learn to invade personal space!).

Already being comfortable with these things mean you won't have to worry about it in nursing school and can focus on the more complex information.

It was a bit more stressful for the students trying to learn both at the same time.

Please know that nursing school is all-consuming.

The quality time you have with your little one will suffer so you need to have a plan for time management.

Also, have some money saved and emergency baby-sitting.

One more thing: if you chose to become a CNA, not only should you see if the workplace will pay for CNA class, but also see if they will pay for nursing school in any way.

I strongly advise this because I only paid a grand total of about $1000 for my ADN.

Good luck!

P.S.

Nurses aren't angels... they just have a lot of self-control

[brandi-007]

thank you all for your advice!! I am going to look into getting my cna and try to gain what little experience i can for the time being.

[♑ Capricorn ♑]

Its easy to be afraid of the unknown. We've all been there, including myself. I say, give it your best shot. You might suprise yourself and find out that there is more to you than you previously imagined. Stay focused and positive, and give yourself credit when it is do. You'll do fine. :)