mukhorty

At a recent visit with my chiropractor, I mentioned I've started the pre-reqs for nursing school. Her advice to me was to not worry about how much I retain, just *get the grade* because my real schooling will not begin until I'm actually in nursing school. So, is this true? I'm fairly good at memorizing terms and concepts long enough to test on it but within a month the majority of it has faded from recollection.....no big deal?

Good morning! I have a question I'd like to run by this community. The short version is, I'd like the summers off for the next five years while my kids are still young, but want to begin to pursue nursing, should I go for an associate RN on a part time schedule I've planned out that will take about five years with summers off, or could I become a CNA and somehow ask for summers off? To further explain..... I've been a stay-at-home mom/homeschooling mom for over ten years, but now my kids are in school. In fact, I got married straight out of high school and have mostly been home since! I have very little work experience, my part time job now is working for family. My husband supports us well so I am free to take summers off with the kids and want to utilize that. If I were to go to school for an associates I could control my schedule, but a friend also suggested that becoming a CNA may be a good way to start - a little less of a commitment and an earlier entrance into the workforce. But, again, I don't want to work summers until my kids are perhaps teens. Is it at all possible to ask for summers off as a CNA? Or should I take the other route of part time school, in which case I wouldn't begin work until my youngest is about 14? Thanks for feedback! Jessica

Thanks all, for your replies, you gave a needed boost! Also, per some suggestions, I think I'll call the hospital nearby and see about shadowing a nurse. Thanks so much! Jess

I think you hit the nail on the head. In the end they can't really know how much I want to, only I know. Thank you!

Hello all, I've got a bit of a side topic for you. I've been hoping and planning to begin nursing school for well over a year and it's looking like I can this coming fall. I also have two very close friends, whom I've known for over ten years, and the three of us have very open and honest friendships. One of them told me last night that they were discussing, and both of them are bit concerned that nursing is not a real dream of mine, just some sort of phase. That kind of threw me. I value their opinions, though I know my decisions don't have to be dictated by their opinions. And I know they'll support me if I go for it, but the fact that they can't see me pursuing it long term concerns me some. I know no one here can answer for me whether nursing is in fact for me, but did any of you have friends, family, etc. who doubted you? What was the outcome, how did it work out? Thoughts? Thanks!

I don't remember how I found it, but this is an interesting blog by a nurse practitioner, may be a help ---> http://newfnp.blogspot.com/ - Jess

I've opted not to take meds, but this reply helps - I can just be sure to remain in therapy my whole career!:chuckle (Or go when needed :) ) Thanks.

Hi all. I'm hoping to start my pre-reqs next year, but there's one question that's been nagging me a bit. I confess, after years of myself and other family members getting diagnoses, that were later scraped, etc. I am leery of any labels, but I was given the diagnoses of PTSD last year (along with depression, but that's been very long term and I find it very managable now). I see some merit to mentioning this because I can be very high anxiety (no panic or anxiety attacks though), very jumpy, etc. I'm also very determined though. I can function well under stress, I just wear out physically and emotionally quickly, does that make sense? Obviously, nursing is a high stress job. Do you think someone like me can do it, and thrive? I want to do something that matters, and I'm stubborn, so I don't want to give up on a dream just because I get anxious. But, I also want to be realistic. Thanks.

Suburbs of Philly, you?

Talk about a good kick in the butt! You're right, and thanks for pointing this out. I actually talked with my husband last night and let him know I am sick of waiting, and am signing up for a summer class starting next week (that's if I'm not too late!). One class a semester isn't very much, but at least I'll feel like I'm getting there. Thanks! Jess

It will be another year before I can begin any classes, but I've been exploring my options for months now, wanting to be informed so I can have a game plan when my time comes. I'm noticing that as time goes by, my friends are becoming less and less interested in listening to me, which is a bit discouraging, though it makes sense I suppose. Fortunately, my husband doesn't mind me talking to him about all the options, and neither does my mom since she's a nurse and proud I'm headed that way! Anyway, I went from thinking of getting my associates to most recently looking into becoming an LPN. Because for the RN I'd have to do ten pre-reqs part time to keep up with my kids, likely have a wait to be accepted into a nursing program and then two years of clinicals. It's looking optimistic at 4 years. Whereas with the LPN I'll have 12 straight months of school, providing I'm accepted for next summer and will be out looking for a job in two years (I've been homeschooling my kids and will be homeschooling my younger daughter for one more year this coming school year, which is why I'm still waiting). Then eventually, hopefully, I can go back to become an RN. I'm so excited already! And need to be exploring my options even now because to be accepted into the summer 2007 program, I'll need to take an entrance test this fall. We'll see, I'm praying a good deal. Thanks for listening! Jess

I know a hospice nurse who's been thinking of doing that for years! She was planning on making it much more bold though. I like how this woman did it. Food for thought, for sure.

1 general surgery 42 2 plastic surgery 40 3 ophthalmology 40 4 med oncology 40 5 hematology 40 6 dermatology 40 7 anesthesiology 40 8 radiation oncology 40 9 colon & rectal surgery 39 10 rheumatology 39 I'm not even in pre-nursing yet, so only time will tell! Jess

Hello all, I discovered tonight that this topic has pretty much been beaten to the ground, sorry to bring it up again! But in reading old threads it seems one of the best reasons to go for your bachelors is if you live in an area where hospitals prefer it. In Philadelphia and it's suburbs, does anyone know if there's any preferance for nurses with a bachelors? Otherwise, I think it'd work best for me to get an associates. Thanks. :)

Kris, I agree with you that it in the end the truly important part is passing the boards and the actual practice of nursing, but it's still a valid question when trying to figure out what sort of schooling you're committing to.