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I was hired into the cath lab after 10 years of ED experience but my co-workers came from ICU/CCU and step down units. We have a 30 minute call response time as we are a credentialed Chest Pain Center with door-to-balloon times of under 90 minutes. If you live 40 minutes away you may ask about being partnered with someone who lives closer who would be agreeable to setting up the room and receiving the patient until your arrival. Also, would it be possible to occasionally spend nights closer to the hospital with friends or family? Our call is usually 1 night a week Mon-Thur and every 4th weekend. We are paid $2.20/hr on call with time and a half for call outs. Good luck!

I was in your position when I began school in 1979. I was a high school dropout supporting myself and my son with a series of dead-end jobs. I always worked just a little too much to receive any public aid but never made enough to get by. Anyway enough about me, congratulations on your acceptance and good luck! Now is the time to reach out to every family member and friend, let them know what you going to accomplish (notice I did not say try)! D0n't be too proud to ask for help with child care, transportation or the occasional home cooked meal. Your schooling will only take a short time although it will seem to go on forever. I set up times that my son and I would study together and he learned quickly that I was serious. He was seven when I started back to school and almost ten when I completed my ASN and began working full time. (that was 26 years ago-he now is 35 and a hospital pharmacist.) You might miss a few Little League games or school programs along the way but keep on track and the rewards will be worth it. Your social life will suffer-mine was non-existant-but your true friends will stick by you and see you through to the end. There may be someone in school in a similar situation-hook up with them and share notes, study sessions and child care if possible. Best of luck!

I would suggest taking all the non-nursing classes you can while waiting for acceptance into an RN program-everyone has to take English, Psychology, Math and the like. this way your school sees that you are serious about entering their program, and you will have a much easier time with your nursing classes when you can focus on them. Also, most hospitals offer employment to RN students as Nurse Techs or Nurse Externs-a great way to combine a salary with practical experience. Where I live, new RN's can start at $24/hour before shift and weekend differentials, with Nurse Techs starting at $15.50/hour. If you go into a LPN/LVN program make sure your local hospitals hire new LVN grads, as many in my area don't, as they prefer to hire Techs that will soon become RN's. Also make sure your program will let you transition into the RN program right away if that is what you want. Good luck!