Single mother and ABSN- can I do it?

U.S.A. North Carolina

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I'm new to this site and so far I love it! Love reading all the posts. I would love feedback if any of you are or were at one time in my shoes.

Here is me: I am a single mother to a 21 month old and working on my pre-reqs to get into a nursing program. I hope to be completely done with pre-reqs by end of Spring semester 2010. All I can afford to do now legistically is take one or two classes per semester right now for pre-reqs as I'm still working a part time day job. I will apply to UNC and then Duke once I've completed those courses. If I don't get in, I plan to keep trying until I do. I have looked at other programs and these two seems to be the only accelerated ones out there that don't require you to go to their school to do it (like Mt Olive for example) or take pre nursing classes outside of the "core" classes required. Additionally, the location is perfect as I'm just outside of Raleigh in Willow Spring and rely on my family to help me care for my child. My ex husband is totally out of the picture.

So I'm 30 and starting over. I feel such passion for this path. I am a certified yoga instructor since 2004 and this has led me to want a life in serving others. That fact coupled with my experience with nurses in a previous job with a Biotech company in RTP working with MS patients as well as being SO VERY inspired by labor and delivery nurses when I was in labor with my child for over 24 hours, I know this is what I want. Also, the pediatrician's nurse who who taught me to breastfeed my baby correctly (after three prior failed attempts with lactation consultants in the hospital!) also ended up offering me some love and counseling about my impending divorce- she was truly an angel in disguise!!

I wonder if I will be seen as not a solid candidate though because of my previous degree. My previous BA degree is in Dance and a minor in Theater from UNC-Greensboro in 2001. I had a 3.69 GPA and so far for pre-reqs at Wake Tech and now at Durham Tech I've taken PSY 150 and got an A and currently I'm doing STATS and getting good grades, so I'm seeing a B probably for this course! My sciences (A&P's and Micro) I know I need to do really well in, and plan to rock those out. Will Duke really want to see Chemistry as well? I took it in H.S. and I think got a C. :o I plan on volunteering as soon as I can get the hospitals to call me back. I know programs want to see that to make sure you are committed. I wonder how I will juggle doing the program if/when I get in with mothering but I think it is feasible if I quit my job and take out extra money for living expenses with the loan. It will be worth it in the end... hopefully.

Sorry this is so long. Thanks for reading if you did make it to the end. Any input/feedback is so much appreciated!

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

:wlcmggrp: to ALLNURSES!!! This is a great site. I don't live to far away from you. Most of my family lives in Fuquay-Varina and I live in Clayton. You can do anything you set your mind to. Since you are a single mother, you need really good family support. You will not make it in nursing school if you don't have loved ones to keep your child while your in class everyday.

I just got my RN and I can tell you that getting into any nursing school in our area is gonna be super hard. I worked on trying to get into a RN nursing program for 3 years and came up short everytime. There was always a requisite I was missing or my HOBET or NET test were not high enough. I also have a BS degree in another health related field.

I looked into UNC also and found that it the ABSN program was too rigorous and I don't even have kids.I recommend if you want to get in, that you make A's on all the rest of your prerequisites and make sure you have at least a 3.5 overall GPA. That program is super competative and its very hard to get in. So keep trying. I wish you the best of luck with your future plans.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

Most schools only allow you take out a certain amount of money for each semester. Duke is Super expensive and I doubt that you will be able borrow enough money to pay the tuition in full. I know it cost about 17K for UNC accelerated program. I think its a bad idea to borrow money to live off in school and with the economy like it is, most loan companies are tightening the reins on the amount of money that you can borrow. Also new grad in our area and in Raleigh are only making $20 hr starting out. Once you take out benefits, your lucky if you bring home $1100 if you work on days. You might see $1400 if you work on nights. Not alot of money if you think about all we have to do.

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Anybody else have any input on how it would be? If not a single mom yourself, did you know any in your absn program? Thanks so much! I see 49 people read my post and only 2 replied. :loveya:

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Specializes in Neurology.

I am applying for Spring 2010 admission for these schools and have three children that will be 4, 2 1/2, and 10 months when I start. My mom is coming to help care for them while I am in school. I know it is going to be hard but I think I can do it. I do have a supportive husband in the picture but if I didn't that would make me more determined to go not less! Go for it. If you don't get in just keep trying.

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I am applying for Spring 2010 admission for these schools and have three children that will be 4, 2 1/2, and 10 months when I start. My mom is coming to help care for them while I am in school. I know it is going to be hard but I think I can do it. I do have a supportive husband in the picture but if I didn't that would make me more determined to go not less! Go for it. If you don't get in just keep trying.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your encouragement! It really does make me more determined than ever. My strength has been tested and now I think I can handle a lot more than I ever dreamed being in my position. A difficult divorce will either make you or break you and it has definitely made me stronger than ever. Good luck to you, sounds like you will be supported well by your family and husband. I applaud you for going for it with three kiddos at home! I know my parents and sister will be there for me if I need them.

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Specializes in labor and delivery.

Hi there,

I am a single mom who finished an ABSN exactly one year ago. I also had a BA in a non-health related field-Liberal Studies. I did get straight A's in all the pre-reqs before I was accepted ( I got some B's after I got accepted). I was scared to death of chemistry so I hired a tutor before it even started-it worked out great I got an A! I did exactly what you are thinking about doing, I borrowed money to live on and did not work. I found I had more time with my daughter than I did while I was working-much of the time I was studying but I was still there with her. I am weird because I loved nursing school. I was the oldest in the class yet made some wonderful friends who are half my age. I was lucky that I found a job right after nursing school, I work in labor and delivery. My first year at work has been incredibly hard, if I had known how hard it would be I don't know if I would have gone into nursing. Things at work are finally coming together though and I am feeling much better, I don't think my unit is new grad friendly at all. I am having no problem making my loan payments and in fact, I have to buy a new car and will add on car payments soon. I do live in Southern California though so the pay is better but so is the cost of living higher. Good luck to you, I think you can do it. Doesn't Duke have a loan repayment program where if you work for them for 2 years you don't owe them anything for school?

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I think you should be applauded for taking this step. I'm also a mom in my 30s and while I do have a supportive husband, I can sort of relate to your story. I've been impacted by the healthcare professionals I've met in my life and I also have been working in the helping profession in some fashion (first as a social worker and therapist, then later as a researcher). I don't think Duke needs chemistry and I don't think your bachelors in Dance will matter at all. I'm seeing people with backgrounds in law and even computers go into nursing!

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Being super new to all this myself, I don't really have anything to add. But I wanted to give you a big :yeah:for making the decision and wanting to help people. I feel the same as you, almost like this is my calling and I'm finally gonna answer! :) I wanted to wish you the best of luck and I know you can do it if you set your mind to it! What's that saying....if you can dream it, you can do it!

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Thanks so much all!! Teensmom, your encouragement and personal experience inspires me. Thanks everyone, I'll keep you posted, this site is awesome and getting me more motivated to achieve my dreams!! :wink2:

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OF COURSE YOU CAN DO IT! I was accepted as a second degree student to UNC's ABSN program (NO prior experience and 10 years as a stay-at-home mom!) and am a single mom to three kids! It is hard and you will make sacrifices, but if this is something you want, GO FOR IT!!!! And don't let the naysayers get'ya down!

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Specializes in Neurology.

Rlynn39,

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I needed to hear it! I am waiting on notification from Carolina and it is killing me! I have a 3.8 cum GPA and a 3.8 prereq GPA. Do you think it is competitive? Every person I have talked to that has gotten in has had almost a 4.0. I guess if they are only accepting 30 students for the ABSN, the acceptance rate is extremely low. Anyway, I really appreciate your encouragement. When I went to the orientation at Carolina they discouraged anyone with kids from applying to the 14 mo program. I just think the 24 mo. program would be too slow of a pace!

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