madelynsmom

Still taking pre-req's so this can change but in order is: 1. L&D 2. NICU 3. Neuro... my father has Parkinson's Disease so this one is more personal. Was considering Pediatrics but I am pretty sure I will end up with 500 adopted children or in prison when I see cases of abuse and neglect.

Good for you! I work 40+ hours a week, taking my pre-req's (this is my first semester), have a dad who has Parkinsons, and I have a 13 1/2 month old daughter. Oh and the husband who could be like a 2nd kid haha. I just have to keep my eye on the prizes. 1. Giving my daughter a good role model to look up to. 2. Having a job that makes me feel rewarded.

Actually yes, I did do research. That is why I was psyching myself out and nervous. But I'm not anymore- I just have more determination than ever.

I have a good paying job and I guess some would say I could be on the "fast track" to even bigger things here at my company. But when I got pregnant with my daughter and gave birth, I had to re-evaluate things. I like my job but it's not rewarding. I am doing it for the paycheck and security- not for happiness. So I decided I needed to be a good role model for my daughter who is now 1 and do what I really want to do. That is joining the saturation of nursing students... but I think what separates me is that I have the best reasons to want to do this and succeed. Money is no matter (it is a perk though) because my husband and I are doing well. In fact, we will have to cut back once I get into a nursing program. But it will all be worth it in the end. I can't wait to actually make a difference in someone's life... including my own.

You are all amazing. I am feeling pretty confident after reading these and writing my own goals down. Every single day I am going to come to this site before bed to remind myself of where I want to be and what it takes to get there. I am ready to show all the younglings who is boss... or at least who can keep up.

I am taking 3 classes this semester (13 credits) and between the fees for the class AND books, I have spent $750. $400ish of that is from books- some new and some used and some rented.

I believe that if you live East of Castro Valley, they have about 10 students they pick to work in the Livermore/ValleyCare area. Just FYI. But I think you may get better feedback if you post in the CA Nursing forum. I am attending Las Positas at this time for pre-req's. I would just do your pre-req's and speak to a counselor about how the program at Chabot works. You can also attend CSUEB in Hayward and get your BSN, which considering where you are would be the same distance as Chabot.

Wow... all of you are very inspiring and I really needed to hear all of that. I do hope that my age and life experiences give me an advantage than the 17/18 year old me. I am really blown away with the positive words, experiences, and advice you all have given me. I feel ready to get this started!!!! Besides, I have the ultimate motivation... my daughter's sweet face.

So I am starting college as a brand new student. I am a little late to the game- I graduated from high school in 2003. I work full time where I make pretty good money but after having my daughter a year ago, I decided that being a good role model to her means to show her to pursue to do something rewarded and truly will make you happy. For me, nursing was it. Here's the issue I am having: I start class on Monday 8/19. I have not written a paper in probably 12 years (my Senior classes were a breeze and did very little work). I haven't taken a math class (my worst subject) in 11 years. Science? Ha! Talking 13 years! My classes this semester are English 1A, Elementary Algebra, and Biology. I am so scared that I won't remember simple things and will fall behind in the class. I am already putting my husband and daughter through a lot by me taking on so much, I don't want to let them down and screw myself over getting into a nursing program in a couple years. I think I need some inspiration from my fellow late 20's and beyond friends who started very late to the game that were able to pick up like they came from high school. What did you do to get that student mind set back? Did you also juggle a full time job and home/mommy duties? I don't have any friends that are doing this along with me so I don't have anyone close that can relate to what I'm feeling. Wow I sound pretty whiny don't I?

First semester ever... starts the 19th. Taking a hybrid (meet 1x a month) algebra class, online English class, and Biology class which is Mon 5-9:50pm and W from 5-6:50pm. 13 credits total. Also still working 40 hours a week and being mommy to my 1 year old.

First of all, I am not close minded whatsoever. I personally do not have an issue with tattoos or piercings because hello... I have them too. And I have a pair of torn jeans, halter top, and stripper type shoes. I am saying that you need to LOOK professional when you are in a business/work environment. Sleeve tattoos are like a part of clothing. It's not like a freckle. Appearance is a huge part of being a professional whether you like it or not. Also you have to set the standard of what is acceptable work attire if you are running a company. If you say tattoo's are allowed, what about facial tattoos? What type are considered "offensive"? When someone owns a business, even if judging by a tattoo or nose piercing someone has, if it affects profit and growth, they have every right to ensure that is not a problem. As much as you don't want to believe it, appearance affects business and it always will. Maybe it's judgment, maybe it's not. So if you want a job dealing with the public, then you don't go get your whole neck tatted up even if the art is a beautiful piece. Just like some work attire can be distracting, so can piercings and tattoo's. They are put there to be looked at or to notice correct? Maybe that's just be being closed minded. Edited to add: For myself, I would have no problem with my nurse or doctor having tattoos or their nose pierced. But having worked in sales and the corporate world for many years, I have understanding of why things are the way they are. I see things from a heavily tatted persons eyes as well as someone who has built a business dealing with the public.

I have tattoos and used to have my eyebrow pierced. When I went in sales... I took out the eyebrow ring. I have tattoos that are able to be covered easily. I am currently in school (plus working) but if you want to be taken seriously in a professional (not sports people- REAL LIFE), you have to present yourself in a professional manner. How would you feel if you were a business and someone came to sell you a product to use and the seller came in torn jeans, a halter top, and stripper shoes? They can be very smart people but they obviously don't care enough about the sell or your business to look presentable. The same thing can be taken for tattoos and piercings. I miss my eyebrow piercing but I love having a paycheck more... to get more tattoos in areas I can cover up for work.

It's my first semester of school EVER so I am doing Biology, English, and Elementary Algebra (pre-req for College Algebra). 13 credits total so full time but the Alegbra and English classes are online.

For the OP- I too am starting next month with pre-req's. I will be 28 in September so I am about 10 years late to the show. I received the same advice with some nurses I have encountered over the past few months- minimize distractions. For me, it's a little hard to do since I have a father with Parkinson's who doesn't have much family other than my brother and I, I'm a wife, I'm a mother to a 1 year old (next week) daughter, and I work 7:30-4:30 M-F. I had a VERY demanding job where they expected me to also take my laptop home and work from home a few hours every night and weekend. I finally decided that couldn't work for me, my family, nor my nursing education so I applied for another position at my company and I got it. It is *much* more laid back and flexible. Even though I have a million other things, it's one less thing to stress me out.

For BSN, at least in the schools near me, 4 years includes the 2 years of pre-req's. The 2 years are almost exclusively nursing courses and clinicals.

Extra question to tag on to this... when do you apply for nursing programs? I am doing my pre-req's now (if only I wouldn't have "known it all" 10 years ago and gone to school) and I'm curious if you can apply as you are taking the last of your pre-req's even if you don't have final grades for them yet. Thanks in advance!

No offense but Brentwood isn't really considered the East Bay Area to most people. It's cheaper because you have to drive quite a bit a ways to get to the East Bay (commute-wise). I like Brentwood... would live there if it didn't literally take 70 mins to drive from Brentwood to Pleasanton. I lived in Mountain House for a couple years and did the long commute for cheaper rent/mortgage so I'm not sticking my head in the sand. Maybe I should also add that if you don't mind commuting and lots of traffic then you can get less expensive housing. This got way off track anyway. My apologies, OP!

I think it depends on what you think is "doable". I live in the Bay Area... East Bay Area. Tri-Valley to be exact. If you look in areas like Hayward, Oakland, San Leandro, Berkeley where crime is rising, then yeah the rent/home prices are not that bad. But if you want to live in a safer town with good schools for your kids (if you have any), then you are looking at least $500k for a decent 3 bed, 2 bath, 1400 sq ft+, with a yard place.

Just starting my pre-req's! Summer- Sociology 1 Fall- Math 65 (Elementary Algebra), English 1A, and Biology 31.

I start my pre-req's this summer and I will be 28 this September. I will be 32ish when I graduate and become a RN. I have been in the corporate world for 11 years and I have made a good living for my family. Once I got pregnant with my now 8 1/2 month old baby girl, I started to look more into my work and how I want to be a role model to my daughter and came to terms how unfulfilled I am at work. After a lot of thought, I will soon be working part time, going to school full time, and still being a wife and mommy. I'm not getting any younger but it is never too late to do what will make you happy. Who cares what everyone else your age is doing? All that matters is you and your family.

So glad I am reading this. I am going from full-time to part time work and starting my pre-reqs. I am also a mom to an 8 month old baby girl so I am curious how I will be able to handle full time school, part time (20 hours) of work, being a mom and wife, and also fitting in the homework as well. Glad to know most of you are pretty successful in being able to wear multiple hats.

To update, I cancelled my meeting with Unitek. After reading and hearing so many negative stories, I ended up having a bad feeling. Now my husband and I are just looking at how we can manage without my income and I hopefully will start at Las Positas/Chabot with pre-req's this summer. I am looking for a part time job while I am in school. So fingers crossed I can find out that fits my schedule with school! Thank you all for the feedback and advice.

May I ask, how often do you see this happen? I am considering making L&D my specialty when I am finished with school but I am not sure how to handle seeing that and not wanting to rip the faces off of the mothers that did that to their children.

Thank you pnlu007- I truly appreciate the honest feedback. I am having bad feelings about it already and you just helped build my case that it probably is not the route to go. I just have to find a way to get school to work. Do you or anyone have any thoughts on the Chabot or Ohlone programs? I hear very good things about them- especially since Chabot ended their lottery system.

Yeah I just signed up. [email protected] Thanks!