I'd like to find out a little about some of you regular posters. Now, I'm not asking you to give up your anonymity....I treasure mine too! It would be nice though to get a feel for your level of experience, different work environments, goals, etc. Try to keep it short and sweet and lets see what happens! I'll go first.
I've been a NICU nurse for 20 years this month. I've worked at the same hospital the whole time-university based teaching safety-net hospital. I was worried as I approached my Sr. year in college because I really didn't like most nursing areas. Luckily, I fell into an extern job that I never left (talk about loyalty!). I now work part time 2 days/week. I'm married, 4 kids and I've decided to apply for my masters for next fall. I'd like to get into nursing education and do clinical teaching in the NICU.
Well, since I am not the only student posting here, I guess I could tell you a little bit about me. :) I am 26 (well, will be next month) and have a wonderful hubby of 8 years and 2 adorable children - one 3 yr old boy & one 4 month old girl. I currently work as an eligibility tech./case manager for the county department of Social Services handling all money, food and medicaid programs. I have wanted to work in a health care profession all of my life and have wanted to be a nurse ever since the birth of my first child (I saw what nurses really do - I had the world's most awesome nurses and want to be just like them). I really want to work in NICU (at least, as a pre-nursing student, that's where I want to work - no prior experience there, I just feel really drawn to it and have for quite some time) and will be working on pre-reqs starting the end of this month! Aside from all that, we have a great dane, 3 chihuahuas, 5 horses, 28 geese and a handfull of chickens on our little ranch. Oh - and if that's not enough, I have a non-paying position as Mayor of my small town out here in Southeast Colorado.
I am also 33 years old, happily married with 2 daughters. I am starting my pre-reqs and support courses in 2 weeks. Have a Psych degree but need to re-do some courses. The program I will apply to recommends completing all support courses before applying to help gain admittance and to lighten actual load while in the program. JennyRN2B, how have you done it? Any tips? I would like to apply to nursing school the year before my youngest starts kindergarten, but will not send her to fulltime childcare, just pre-school two days a week. My hubbie has some flexibility with his job and my mom is retired, so that should help. I just am afraid I am being naive thinking I can do this with two small kids!!!
My story goes like this...
I am a 33 year old, happily married, mom of three. All of my kidos are in school this year. Wa Hoo for no more preschool $$$. I am in my last year of nursing school. It has been three years of hard work.
My Fall semester is Med surg and Psych nursing. I have completed my Ob/Peds rotation. I am hoping to do my preceptorship in the NICU in Jan. I had two days of shadowing last semester in the NICU and fell in love. When I entered school I had thoughts that the NICU would be for me. The shadowing experience sealed it.
I guess this time next year I will need to change my log in name. I never dreamed I would still be posting some four years later...
I am also 33 years old, happily married with 2 daughters. I am starting my pre-reqs and support courses in 2 weeks. Have a Psych degree but need to re-do some courses. The program I will apply to recommends completing all support courses before applying to help gain admittance and to lighten actual load while in the program. JennyRN2B, how have you done it? Any tips? I would like to apply to nursing school the year before my youngest starts kindergarten, but will not send her to fulltime childcare, just pre-school two days a week. My hubbie has some flexibility with his job and my mom is retired, so that should help. I just am afraid I am being naive thinking I can do this with two small kids!!!
One of my really good friends is in Nursing school and she is a single mother of a 2 1/2 year old daughter, plus she has to work because she is the sole income for the family and has nobody else to help support her. I constantly use her as a model for reassurance for myself since I know I will be going into this with a situation similar to yours. I keep reminding myself, if she can do it by herself with a toddler, surely I can do it with two youngsters and the help of my hubby. It's good, it keeps things in perspective for me. You can do it for sure! :)
I'm 49 yo with 2 grown daughters and one beautiful grandson. I've been working in a level III Nicu in a community hospital in southern NJ for 2 1/2 years. Prior to that I worked in Med/Surg for 16 years. I love the Nicu and am soooo glad that I finally decided to make the move. I still feel like I've got so much to learn, but each day I feel like I learn something new..This board has been such a learning experience for me..Thanks to you all! Linda from NJ
Hi, I am 48. Married 27 years and have 6 children. Delivered one of those at home myself. As a corpsman in the Navy I worked at the Naval Regional Medical Center (Balboa Hospital) in San Diego California. I worked in the newborn nursery, NICU and ED. I'm about done with my BSN degree and want to go back to the NICU. Eventually want to become a NNP. Wanting to move back to the west coast in three years when my wife graduates from nursing school, she wants to be a L&D nurse, can't imagine why !
I am an ex-premie! Now 47 years old, and am proud to say I am going on my 27th year in a level III NICU. I happened to go to the NICU by chance as a new grad., and now could absolutely not see working anywhere else!
I am also a certified bereavement coordinator, and am currently completing my BSN, and hope to someday get a masters in cultural diversity. I have been lucky to be selected to teach in Japan as a part of our hospitals programs, and continue to host international visitors who come to our hospital.
sddlnscp
876 Posts
Well, since I am not the only student posting here, I guess I could tell you a little bit about me. :) I am 26 (well, will be next month) and have a wonderful hubby of 8 years and 2 adorable children - one 3 yr old boy & one 4 month old girl. I currently work as an eligibility tech./case manager for the county department of Social Services handling all money, food and medicaid programs. I have wanted to work in a health care profession all of my life and have wanted to be a nurse ever since the birth of my first child (I saw what nurses really do - I had the world's most awesome nurses and want to be just like them). I really want to work in NICU (at least, as a pre-nursing student, that's where I want to work - no prior experience there, I just feel really drawn to it and have for quite some time) and will be working on pre-reqs starting the end of this month! Aside from all that, we have a great dane, 3 chihuahuas, 5 horses, 28 geese and a handfull of chickens on our little ranch.
Oh - and if that's not enough, I have a non-paying position as Mayor of my small town out here in Southeast Colorado. 