"Older" Pre Nursing Student requesting advice!

PurpleLover · Dec 13, 2013

If you can afford live in care, I would go that route.

Guests · Dec 13, 2013

My son... has high functioning autism. My husband... is home 1-2 times a month. I am very concerned re the projected 30 hours/week of out of class assignments, research etc... My son... require(s) constant care and supervision.
Should I be looking at live in child care for the duration of this program?

I would say so. I don't see how you'll otherwise reconcile "projected 30 hours/week of out of class assignments" with "My son... require(s) constant care and supervision"

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2013

Good day:

You are not alone as an non traditional (i.e. not just out of high school) student as well as being more mature. I started working on my prerequisites for an RN program one month after my 50th birthday. If Jesus allows it, I will graduate from a nursing program between mid 2016 and late 2017 depending on the school; I would be between 53 and 54 at the time.

This is what I've been using and it works well:

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/how-get-any-846733.html

To the above link / reading, I email each professor before the semester asking for a copy of the syllabus in advance and permission to record their lectures with the understandings any and all recordings are for private use only.

I do tape record each lecture, and then re-listen as often as I can re-listen. While there are times nothing from the lecture is on a test, it still helps me understand overall processes, terminology, etc which are on most tests.

Once I have the syllabus, I follow the instructions in the link for planning. As a general rule of thumb, non science courses are allotted two hours per credit per week for study time. I.e. Three credit non science course would be six hours of study time per week. All science courses with a lab are treated as six credits using the same math. I.e. A&P 1, 2, Microbiology, etc would be a minimum of twelve hours of study time per week.

Here are some links that may be useful in terms of improving overall study skills, taking notes, reading text books, etc.

Note Taking Systems - Academic Skills Center: Study Skills Library - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Cornell Notetaking System Explained--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

Google Image Result for http://kenpitts.net/images/cornell_note_how_to.jpg

The SQ3R Reading Method

Time management

Reading University Level Materials--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

How to Read Effectively in the Sciences--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

How to Read and Study Medical Texts--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

More About Effective Textbook Study--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

An Effective Textbook Study Strategy--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

How to Mark a Section of a Textbook Chapter--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

Thank you.

cee cee g · Dec 13, 2013

Maybe try to find local programs for children with autism online. Or maybe ask his family doctor or his psychologist (if he has one) if they know of any afterschool programs or facilities. But if he must go to a regular daycare center, I would definitely ask the owner if they are familiar with your son's condition before hand. I hope you find a good resolution and good luck to you and your family.

P.S. My 12 year old has Asperger's syndrome so I do understand your concerns.

DadStudentPerhaps · Dec 13, 2013

I'm 47 and my oldest daughter has Aspergers. My wife's a nurse and I work for an airline. My wife and I are both back in school, plus we Homeschool both of our kids. I'm not in a program yet, have one pre-req left (A&P II)... but you will be amazed at how proficient you will become in finding time to study if your determined :)

RunBabyRN · Dec 15, 2013

If you can afford live-in care, that would be a wonderful route to take. You'll need a lot of time for reading, in addition to clinical time and time for writing papers and reports and such. When you do your preceptorship, your schedule can be all over the board, so having the flexibility of someone in-home like that would be really important.

Good luck, and congratulations on your acceptance!