Starting School Jan 2010, after 2 years of work!!

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Hello all:

I'm a newly accepted student. I just spent the last 2 years retaking all of my science pre-req's because of them being over 10 years old. I left school in '93 to help my brother raise his children and I never went back for personal reasons. My fiance' has been great support in my 2nd chance, and will be the sole financial support. I just wanted to know how many men are in this situation now (in school and only 1 income), and how has it been with the current state with of the ecomony? I know money will be tight and I can rely on some weekend work, but the instructors suggest we not work if possible because of the time needed for studying, clinicals, etc.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Dave

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Definitely work as little as possible. Maybe one or two days a week will be OK, depending on your personal study needs. (People seem to vary with this) There are few men in our class and everybody loves them. They are all going to be great nurses I think. Hopefully the economy and job prospects will be better by the time you are done. Congrats and good luck!

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Thanks! My fiance' makes a descent living and we should be able to do this with minimal help from me, and she keeps saying she'd rather struggle now and get me through this than not and struggling all our lives.

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Specializes in mental health.

Get your book list as early as possible so you can buy cheap.

One car.

No TV.

Pack a lunch.

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The school I'm probably choosing is 3 blocks away..so I'll be walking ;)

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i'm not n the same situation now, but my wife has always made more $ than me, even years after me being out of school.

your situation only helps u, many i went to school with had loans and/or a job to deal with due to necessity.

i would get a pt job where u want to work though, it will make it much easier for you to slide into a rn position there (put u into the inside track), many new rn's are having probs finding jobs these days and who knows how long that will continue due to the economy.

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Congrats Dave!

I was also accepted into school a few days ago and am still riding the high.

I've heard that it's a good idea to start reviewing the Clinical Calculations book.

Is there anything else that's good to look over before the semester starts?

Also, do most programs want you to be CPR certified before the first semester? Our orientation is not for a couple months so I'm trying to get this stuff knocked out so I can relax a bit before the big change.

Again congrats to you Dave and everything else out there.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.
Congrats Dave!

I was also accepted into school a few days ago and am still riding the high.

I've heard that it's a good idea to start reviewing the Clinical Calculations book.

Is there anything else that's good to look over before the semester starts?

Also, do most programs want you to be CPR certified before the first semester? Our orientation is not for a couple months so I'm trying to get this stuff knocked out so I can relax a bit before the big change.

Again congrats to you Dave and everything else out there.

I believe that most programs do require CPR certification prior to your being admitted to the clinical site. Probably not a bad idea to get that out of the way now.

Much good luck to all of you!

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Congrats on getting accepted. I too am starting my program in January

and cannot wait.

I wish I was lucky enough to be able to quit my job or take a part time job, but

will unfortunately be working full time(in my current non-medical profession)

I just don't know how people do it. I'm going into nursing as a second career

after working 13 years in another field. I don't know how people manage

it financially to quit their jobs to go to school. I have a mortgage, 2 car payments

and several other bills and losing half the pay in our house would never even

be a possibility, even with taking out huge loans. I'm also in the situation of having to

pay out-of-state tuition because the schools in my state have waiting lists out till 2012.

Well..that's my rant!

Congratulations again for getting in.

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I am graduating in seven weeks then taking the NCLEX-RN. I have a very strong financial support as well, without it, i would have not done it! I am from Mexico, so English is not my first language and yet, I saw so many natives leave the program! It is hard, and working full-time...I would not recommend it, you guys have said it, it is hard to get in.

Good Luck To All

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I too will be starting my program in January as a second career. Over the last two years of completing prerequisites, I've noted that those attempting to hold down a full-time job tended to consistently receive one-to-two grades below those that committed to their schooling full-time... most of them were still able to successfully complete the classes, but unfortunately, a few are now disqualified from our program. (3.0 minimum required)

I am truly thankful that I have my retirement to survive off of, during training, and can devote my full attention to schooling. Best of wishes for your success...

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Specializes in Vascular Surgery.

Congratz! My suggestion is: take advantage of the tutoring service. They will help you learn the information in less time and get better grades as a result.

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