Ziggy2

I know that MedStar Montgomery offers a scholarship through their Woman's Board. It is just a general scholarship so you do not have to work there.

I would apply to as many BSN and ADN programs as possible. Because you are in the Baltimore area, you have (in addition to Towson & Stevenson), Morgan State, Coppin State, University of Maryland (Shady Grove or Baltimore), CCBC, HCC, AACC, etc. There's even Notre Dame, near Towson. They have a new nursing program and might be less competitive in that regard.

I have never kept any of the textbooks for the fluffy courses like Peds, OB, Research, etc. I usually rented those for cheaper prices. My med surg, NANDA, fundamentals and any of the "pocket guide" type books I do keep.

I had to quote this because it is absolutely true. There is a terribly untrue stigma associated with the children of working mothers. My own personal pet peeve is when people put "stay at home wife & mom" as their career on Facebook. But, that is a rant for another thread To the OP, finish school. Work for a year or two. Have a baby. It is not the end of the world if he is over 30 when you have children. This will give you the chance to focus on school, make connections with a hospital, and eventually become PRN or part time there when you have kids. Personally, I worked too damn hard for this degree to just "stop nursing" when I eventually have children. But that is me. If you would rather be a SAHM, your prerogative.

I have feet flatter than a duck's so I am all for Dansko's. They give me the arch I am lacking.

Be on time. Plan for traffic, parking issues, getting lost. Eat breakfast...and a lot of it. Look professional. I don't know how many times I have seen students with too much perfume or makeup on, or long/loose hair. If you do not know the answer, admit it. Remember, everyone was most likely nervous on their first day too. You are there to learn so be a sponge.

If anything, spend the next two years completing your pre requisite courses for the actual nursing program. Take developmental psych, microbiology, anatomy & physiology, and English. Then you could possibly start nursing classes right after you graduate high school.

My advice (fellow military SO): Wait until you move Look at your job market & consider how long you may be at your duty station. Example, if your job market wants a BSN and you will be at that base for the next 4 years then get that BSN Take pre reqs at the local community college to save money Pursue LPN or ADN at a community college so you can bridge later on to the next highest degree If it is doable, skip the LPN & ADN, just go for the BSN.

I am a big believer in gift cards: Etsy Amazon Spa Nursing supply store

If I do not get a good night's sleep, the 12 hours can creep by. But on those 4 days off, I fall in love with the 12 hour shift scheduling.

I love coffee (AEB my avatar). I love my home Keurig & work Keurig... my hospital has them all over the facility. Anyone been to Wawa? Their coffee is the best!

When I was in a similar situation, I decided to take peds first. Med surg can be a tough and I knew peds would be an easier stepping stone. It worked out well. I was in a long term care children's hospital for peds. We saw kids with chronic diseases and had to retake vitals and redo our assessments q4. When I was not assisting the nurse with nursing duties, I was helping the children with ADLs or participating in their play time. Med surg was much different. It was helping with wound care, ambulation, providing education and no hourly assessments. Obviously, it is adults too so they are independent. I think peds helped me sharpen my bedside manner, got me more comfortable in a hospital, and practice skills like taking vital signs or performing a quick head to toe assessment.