ManyHatsToWear

Don't worry about that now, just start in school because for the next few years you'll be experiencing many types of nursing. I'm in my first year of a 2-year clinical program, and some people in my class started school with a very clear idea of their direction, and others are taking the "wait and see" approach. I know many nurses who reinvent themselves to avoid burn out. They try a new area, train, do it for several years, than move on to other areas. Some become highly specialized in one area over many years so that their job is incredibly valuable. Just get it school, get the experiences, and your direction will become clear. You'll determine what you hate and love, and you'll meet plenty of people to help guide you!

I'm in the same semester as you are (woo-hoo), but I'm not a guy! We started the semester with 4 guys in our whole program, and now we're down to 2. I had clinicals with a group of 8 people, 2 of which were guys. One dropped out, but the other one loves all the attention he gets from everyone! I work at a hospital now and know a lot of very caring, funny and interesting male nurses. They definately put a different spin on care and it's refreshing to have some testosterone to break-up the mostly female environment a little bit! Good luck this semester!

We have a lot in common! I also have 2 crazy boys and a husband (I got a girl dog and cat to get even). Some community colleges offer evening and weekend clinicals, for example Villa Julie College in Baltimore, Maryland. My Mom's advice was great when I said the same thing as you a few years ago. "Just go to the college. Go there, get the information, and sign up for whatever class you need. You'll figure out the rest from semester to semester." Get a loan or tuition reimbursement from your job. I went from a $30k/year job to being a waitress for 2 years while I did my early classes. I made decent money with no childcare costs. Now I work Part-time in a hospital as a secretary evenings and nights, and they pay for my school. Most of the students in school with me have young kids, some are single mothers. My good friend in school with me has triplet boys, aged 5, one of whom has Down's, and a 3 year old girl. She doesn't have extensive child care, and she gets A LOT OF MONEY FROM SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, and LOANS!!!!! There's a lot of money out there for nursing students. Start by seeing an advisor. They'll get you pointed in the right direction. Follow your heart -- you'll be rewarded tenfold.