alliestar

So what part of the country do you work in? I really hope it's Dallas Texas. Also, what size hospital and section do you work in. Alliestar

Thank you for that. I have been looking into an accelerated program that would get me in and out in 15 months. Thanks, Alliestar

I actually have a Bachelors degree that I earned in 1993. After looking at the requirements, it would be better for me to earn a BSN instead of an associates. The loan would be to make up for cost of living mostly. Not sure how to deal with this. Thank you for your input. :nuke:

I have been going to school to get pre-reqs on and off for a few years. I lack 11 hours to apply to nursing school. I had to drop A and P II this Semester because of work. It's crazy here. And I have no passion for the industry I work in anymore. It actually makes me sick at my stomach. But, it pays the bills and it's comfortable. Anyway, I'm having problems trying to go to school, work full time, be there for my son who is only 19 mos old and maintain a happy marriage. So I have a few questions to someone has done nursing and had children. From what I hear, nursing school is very brutal and I should pretty much not expect to be there for my family while I'm in school. Would you do it with a 2 year old? Or would you wait until they got older? When you have children, do you think you would continue to work in a hospital, or would you change to something different? Is it worth taking out about $100,000 in loans to live and go to school to be a nurse? What kind of raises do nurses receive in a hospital environment? How often, how much? What kind of hours do nurses work in a hospital setting? Will I actually be away from my family more, or would I really work 3 12-hour days? With an extra day here and there. What kind of vacation do you get, benefits? My heart really wants to do it, but I don't want my marriage to fall apart or be selfish and not be there enough for my family. I also have tremendous guilt about putting them into so much debt. What type of jobs are available in hospitals other than RN that don't require certification? So maybe i can switch careers now and when the time is right, go to nursing school. I have a lot of questions and my heart is torn. Thank you for anyone that takes the time to answer this.

Have any of you changed careers to become a nurse and regret it? If so, why?

Do you mind me asking what area you live in. I'm in Dallas, TX and was wondering about starting pay for RN at Baylor Downtown or Presbyterian. Thanks

I have been struggling with trying to get my pre-reqs to apply to nursing school. Every time I get close, something happens in my life that makes me re-evaluate doing it and settling for the job I'm in. Basically, the fear of taking out so many loans and not seeing my family while I'm in school. What appeals to me is the 3 day work week. I do realize they are long 12 to 13 hour shifts, but having 4 days off is pretty cool. If that is actually true. I also think trying to help people will be more fulfilling than my job now. I recently however received an offer from my boss to move out of what I'm doing and into a more appealing line of work. Which this takes a lot of what I hate about my job away, but I still have problems with the industry I'm in and finding it fulfilling. I also have this fear of being out of work when I'm 50. I know if I become an RN, I will always have work. However, I have a fear that going to school full time will put my family in so much debt and I will be away from them a lot during that time. So, I need someone to be honest with me. what did you like about nursing and what did you hate about it. How often do you get pay raises and what is the average starting pay hourly for RNs? Would you do it again? Any input on your experience would be awesome.

Thank you for your input. It really helps. Something in my gut was telling me TWU, but everyone was like oh, Baylor, you should go there. However, they don't have to pay for the tuition. Thanks so much and good luck to you. AllieStar

Yes, I'm taking Dr. Kirk's class. He's an awesome professor, but it's just a lot of material. Plus work is picking up this week. UGH! Hang in there and good luck. Allie Star

I have one test and one practical left before the end of the semester in A&P I. I'm sooooo tired of studying and reaching burn out. All I have is special senses and endocrine for the test. The practical however covers 6 labs. Anyone else having trouble getting motivated/ burnt out. Any suggestions on how to make myself get some energy and kick it in this final week?

Any tips and advice on preparing for the NET? Thanks, Allie Star

I am applying to nursing school in 2009. Background info: I'm 36 in a career change mode, work full time, 1 year old, husband and dog. I take my pre-reqs at night and on line. I have been focused on applying to TWU's fast track 2009 and Fall 2009 at the same time. My GPA should be a 3.92. IF I get As in the rest of my classes. I really, really think I would like to work at Baylor hospital. Seems like a great company. Someone told me to apply to Baylor Nursing School in Dallas. I didn't see anything about a fast track program on their site. Do they have one? Also, tuition is 3xs as much at Baylor. I'm Thinking I could get help with that, but is it worth going into more debt just to attend Baylor? Any input from someone who has applied to Baylor and/or TWU? Would I even have a chance at getting a job at Baylor if I went to TWU? What other hospitals in Dallas are good to work for? What is your opinion of the two schools?

I'm having trouble grasping the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. Can someone help me out? alliestar

You are awesome for accomplishing what you have done. Thank you for sharing. Great motivation. alliestar

Thank you for your input. I have all of the high ticket items from recently having a baby. Stroller, car seat, swing, all of that stuff. I"m going to put it on ebay and save that money. During holiday break, that would be a perfect time. Thanks so much for your input. Regarding the girl that commented on my age, I have aced my first two tests and only missed one on my lab practical. My brain is working pretty well. I have a great husband and little boy that fill my heart. I have a lot that she does not have and now I just feel sorry for her because I don't think she will be very empathetic in her line of work.

I make tons and tons of flash cards. The process of making the flash cards is half the part of studying. Plus you can take them anywhere with you. alliestar

Thank you for your response. It really made me smile. Alliestar

Hello, I'm an older student, 36. I currently have a bachelors degree in a field going no where. I have been wanting to be a nurse since I was 29 and started taking pre-reqs then. Since then, life happened and kept me from pursuing nursing. I now have a 12 month old, husband and dog. Right now I make pretty decent money, but we still live paycheck to paycheck. Things in the house are breaking, cars are breaking and baby is growing. To go back to school, I will cut our income by 60%. Hopefully I can get into the 15 month fast track program. I'm questioning my doing this because I feel like I'm asking my family to go into some serious debt for me and when I get out, I will be making less than I do now. About $20,000 less. BUT, by the time I'm 40 in this business, I will probably be weened out by younger people. Not to mentioned that I don't enjoy this line of work anymore. We need a bigger house, currently its 1100sf. I'm sooooo frustrated because I'm causing my family to digress financially. I honestly feel that if I follow through with the BSN and then a masters in nursing that I will be able to put us in a better place in the long run. Or am I completely misguided by this? Any input, Signed-SAD and CONFUSED BTW, I was talking about study habits in my class the other day and mentioned that now before a test I get a really good nights sleep or I can't focus as well as I used to. She, 20 something, responded with "Well, you know after 35, your brain just doesn't work as well. At least I have a few good years left." I wanted to CRY!

I have 4 classes left to apply to TWU fast track and/or regular BSN program. They count 37 hours to calculate your GPA. I have and am hoping to have all As in these core classes except US History 2. I got a B. (UGH) I really, really do not want to retake it again. Especially since I will have to cram it into a quick summer session and will not have any break before taking MicroBiology. I figured that my GPA will be a 3.918 if I do not retake History. Is a 3.918 good enough to get into TWU? Keep in mind that they add a .4 to anyones GPA who takes 16 or more hours of Pre-reqs at their TWU campus. I unfortunately have not been able to take classes at that campus so this also puts me at a disadvantage. I'm no spring chicken so I don't want to miss these application deadlines. Any advice? alliestar

yes, yes, yes! I feel sick about it too. My first test in A&P is on the 17th, my son's first Birthday part is on the 15th, so I'm a little freaked out and nervous. I hope once the first test is over, I will have a better feel for how they work and what to expect in the future. I took pre-reqs a few years ago and don't remember being this nervous. I think it was because getting into RN School was not as competitive then. Now you have to have all As. Getting a B, from what I'm hearing, won't cut it. That makes me incredibly nervous. Yikes!

I'm curious to see what it takes. How much time do you spend studying a day for A&P?

Thanks for your reply. Good luck to you this semester. alliestar

All your responses were very helpful. Thank you for the boost. alliestar

Hello, I'm 4 classes away from applying to nursing school. I recently had a baby, who is 11 months old now. I took my other pre-reqs before he was born. I also work Full+ time. I don't want to change jobs right now because I make pretty decent money which is able to cover current school costs. I start A&P in two weeks. I started trying to read last night and get into a routine. The baby didn't go to sleep until about 9:30, my husband wasn't much help in that dept because he's a firefighter and has a drivers test coming up in a week. I started reading at about 10pm and was so exhausted I could only read for about 45 minutes. I'm so scared about falling apart and not being able to do this with my dignity in tact. Any advice, encouraging words or other moms like me with some feedback would be awesome right now. alliestar

Someone posted starting at $19-$21. Anymore feedback about raises, how often? How much? I too have a job making about twice as much as a beginning RN. However, I have been working in my field for about 13 years. My career field tends to cut you off at 40 and send you out to pasture. At this point, you're pretty much starting over anyway. We all (us over 35) have to realize that even though we are starting a nursing career late in life, we still have to start at the bottom. But the job stability, schedule flexibility, and options for over time are worth it as you get older. Plus, the opportunities to make much more money are available if you are willing to go for that masters. I would be open to hearing any stories about career changers late in life and how they dealt with the pay decrease. Thanks for the stories.