Taking it slow... anyone else?

leenak · Nov 22, 2011

I'm taking it slow in that I've been taking 1-2 classes per semester. I started my first pre-req in January 2011 and am applying for the Fall 2012 semester. One thing to consider is some of your pre-reqs may expire so if you take it too slow, you may need to retake some classes. 5 years is about the time frame.

Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN · Nov 23, 2011

I am currently going for my LPN and when I do complete the program, I believe I'll be taking a bit of a hiatus to save up money for my BSN, rather than having to take out more loans than I absolutely will need to. Therefore, I see myself taking my BSN a lot more slowly than I have been taking my LPN program. I want to be able to get a home of my own and get settled and then focus on my RN when the time is right. Granted, I don't want to wait to the extent of never going back and being stuck at LPN my entire life, considering I definitely want to move up in my nursing career, but there's something said for taking certain things slow and not rushing into them. Best of luck to you!

5 years is definitely the usual time period of pre-req expiration, but I do know a couple of courses at my college have a lower span of 3 years and then you must retake it! It can get tricky when they're mixed in with the 5 year expiration. Check with your program's rules on this for a better idea of how you need to space out/put together your pre-requisites! :)

Tricia76 · Nov 23, 2011

I will be almost 40 once I get into nursing school and graduate ..I am 35 now so I will be 38 or 39 when I finish..I am in pre-reqs now and I have 2 daughters who are 15 and 13.

EventuallyANurse · Nov 23, 2011

I'll find out... I didn't think of that.

I sure hope not because my Humanities requirements, English and Psych are all from another life time. I really hope I don't have to take those again. They were a pain enough the first time I took them.

I'm searching through the application stuff and thus far there is no mention as to a time frame for classes. It does say that the TEAS should be within 5 years. I'll call the program and find out. Thanks!

If yes, then I suppose I'll figure when I'm about 5 years out and start worrying about pre-reqs and the like then. I guess I should figure out how long all this baby making might take me (though I know I can't plan too carefully with things like this).

I was REALLY stressing out about this. I was so worried about making the wrong decision about school.... but, when I thought about my priorities I realized that if I some how never get to Nursing School, I'll be bummed, but if I never have any more children, I'll be devastated! Also, I'm 30. My daughter is 15 months old. I don't want to be raising children into my retirement. I'm looking forward to the "end" years of life when I can just be with my husband again.

Anyhoo... let me go research that pre-req's business. Thanks again.

mzrainydayz, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2011

I think you are making a good choice to have all your kids first, I wanted to have my daughter before I started nursing school also. Because I know that when I graduated I wanted to start working and establish a career. My daughter was 10 months when I started the LPN program and I had babysitter issues. Unfortunately, I am not in the program at this time, I didn't get in at this one school for the Jan class. I plan on reapplying to another school in March for the Fall class, and by that time my daughter will be in a 4K program and I won't have to stress about paying someone for childcare. Even though you are putting your future on hold it's only for a short time. You have to make the best decisions for you. Good luck.

Cherry02 · Nov 23, 2011

If you are happy and confident in your decision, then it is the right choice. I'm 27 with 2 kids, 7 and 3...and I had/have the exact same 4 prereqs you will have. For me, I wish I had gotten this out of the way a long time ago. It can be hard to carve out so much time for yourself to study, do hw, attend classes, etc. when you have young children. On the other hand, it is nice to know that I will never have to plan anything around a pregnancy again. So I get where you are coming from...but dang I really want to be a nurse already!

At my school, A&P 1, A&P 2, and microbio expire after 5 years. There is a computer class that expires after 10 years. That's it. No other prereqs have an expiration date...so it definitely does depend on the school.

Saysfaa · Nov 25, 2011

Yes. I also did Mom (as in, not also doing school) first. I am now taking pre-reqs a class or two at a time. I know several others who also started nursing after doing Mom. I think it has been a good decision.

For all of the schools I looked at (many), the non-science classes never expired (even from twenty five years ago). There have been a few glitches like my old stats not meeting the criteria currently needed for stats (back then stats was how to do the relevant math, now computers and calculators do the math and the class is about the syntax of graphs).

Al.ginger · Nov 25, 2011

I can share my experience.

I started my pre-reqs then my son was 3 months. Now he is 19 months and I'm finishing first semester of NS. I got lucky to be accepted fast but that's the only luck. I worked hard on my prereqs (11 credits per semester and summer - 7) but I did them mostly on-line so I don't have to be away from little kid.

I'm too plannin for more kids. I'm planning to have one just then I'm done with NS. I'm planning to work RN part-time, and also go for BSN then. I'll see how new baby fitting into that schedlue but I think I can do it!

oh, yes.... your age is a reason too. I'm 23 so I can postpon all the baby bisness but I were 30 I would think differently

EventuallyANurse · Nov 26, 2011

Thanks. I am inevitably getting some flack from some of my friends who see things differently but they made the choice best for THEM and I need to make a choice that's best for me and my family.

Yes, if I were younger I'd wait... but since I need a a year to do pre-reqs plus at least 2 years of nursing school... that would be 3 years and I wouldn't be working during that time. So I'd have to work at least a year just to pay for school... there's 4 years... and I want more than just 1 other child. Then I'd end up taking off who knows how many years to have and raise my babies (into school preferably) before I can even focuson my career. I just rather focus on this.... then focus on that... and not feel torn up about it.

I just know I'll be miserable the other way around. I'm kinda getting annoyed at other people's opinions and need to share them (not on here, just in my life).