GretchenT

I may have to put my plan on hold for one year, just because of money and financial reasons. But I just keep telling myself that will mean I will be that much more ready (lol) when the time comes!!! :) Good luck!

Hello, just stumbled upon this message...and wanted to share what I am doing...do you have any nursing contacts that you can use to set up some shadowing? Fortunately for me, my mom is a nurse, and she contacted the HR department at her hospital so I can shadow her and some others...there is evidently a lot of paperwork (that she is sending me) regarding patient confidentiality and yes, I have to have a TB test. I'm also planning on contacting some friends who are nurses in my area (my mom is a 4 hour drive away) to inquire about shadowing where they work. And lastly (and this may not be an option for you depending on the timing) I'm planning on doing some volunteering over the summer. Hope this helps!

I've just started my prereqs at NOVA and I learned a lot by just watching the orientation sessions online. Go to the NOVA homepage, and look up the nursing programs, and there should be links for the orientations on there. If I remember correctly, they don't actually do an in person orientation. I also went in for counseling during the walk-in hours, and actually got a lot of help. They do make it clear during the orientation that your grades (GPA) on your prereqs are part of what will determine your acceptance into the program...I think they are calling it 'competitive application process'.

Cheer, thanks for the update. The price of tuition, even in-state, makes that pretty much not an option, at least compared to NVCC, which is also very close by for me. Good luck...what pre-reqs are you taking this fall?

I am just starting my prereq's this fall, and in making my decision I talked to several friends I have that are nurses as well as my mom (who has been a PACU nurse and is now case management). With the exception of my mom, everyone was wildly encouraging about nursing themselves (they all love their jobs) and about me becoming a nurse (all thinking I'd make a great nurse). My mom is supportive and encouraging, but not necessarily enthusiastic, but it comes from the fact that she has not loved being a nurse in a long time. She actually retires soon. It has been interesting to see the mixed reactions, but I've told everyone...'I'm just getting started, we'll see how it goes!' I'm coming from 8 years of teaching public school, and my teaching license will not run out in the time I'm pursuing this...I timed it that way on purpose, but right now I feel like it is the right direction for me to be headed!

Nope, you're not alone! I'm headed to NVCC, too, and while I'm ok with the chemistry, I have a lot of biology to make up (starting this fall). It is almost torture, isn't it, to finally make the decision and then have to wait so long to actually start nursing school...but from what I understand, that is pretty much how it goes! Do you know which program you're going to apply for...traditional, accelerated, etc?

Oh, I know...that is one of the reasons that I'm spreading my pre-reqs out so much. Save, save, save. I'm even considering axing my cable!!! I am planning, for the time that I will be in nursing school, to get financial aid, too. I just don't want to do it until the 'last minute' as I already have school loans (but they will be deferred when I go back to school full time). GI bill for you? Good for you! I was *thisclose* to joining the Navy out of grad school, and I still wonder if not doing that was a mistake.

You know, I haven't, but you are the second one to mention it to me. I will look into it, just to be sure (though I live *really* close to NOVA's MEC and the price is right). Marymount will definitely be too much $$$ for me. I'd be interested on what you think after the information session!

My own mom will be retiring from nursing in February, and I think she is still in shock over my decision! I keep telling her that I'm only *just* starting my prerequisites...she is very supportive, but I also think a bit worried, as I kind of hit her out of nowhere with all of this! I start my online class the week of Aug. 24, and I'm taking SDV 101 the second 8 weeks of this semester. I'm actually really excited, though I'm amazed by how much more books cost than they did 15 years ago!

I'm just starting my pre-requisites this fall for an associates program at my local community college. Because I have to spread out my credits (financial reasons) and I'll still be working full time, I'm not looking at actually being able to enter nursing school until 2011. I will be a career changer, coming from a teaching background, and I already hold a Bachelor's and 2 master's degrees. So, this is very timely information for me as well...I look forward to reading your future installments.

Cheer, I have my sites on a 2011 start in the accelerated in-person program at Northern Virginia Community College. *crossing fingers*

I'm just starting my pre-reqs at NVCC this fall, and I'm looking at a 2011 start date as well...I know it seems so far off, but I'd rather have all my ducks in a row and more time to save money as well!

In teaching, we joke about all the different (and very bizarre at times) acronyms we have...looks like that isn't singular to teaching! But I have to give props to whoever decided to name our standardized tests 'SOLs'. Ha!

Ah see now...that tells you how much of a noob I am! Thanks!

So, you are starting the traditional program this fall? I had started out interested in the accelerated online, but now I'm leaning toward accelerated in-person...thinking I want as many people there to help as possible! :) But again, for me...that is quite a while off!