Thinking about becoming a nurse, lots of questions!

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

Hi there, I have lots of questions, and am hoping someone here can help, or at least lead me in the right direction. I'm 28, and have been a stay at home Mother for the past five years to my two children, 3 and 7. When my oldest was just a baby, I took a semester of college, only a couple classes, and had planned on becoming an RN. I decided I wanted more time with my daughter, at the time I was working full time and going to school, so I decided to put school on hold. I am really considering going back now that I will soon have both children in school.

It's been so long I just can't remember what the school had told me, but I know I talked to a counselor because I took medical terminology with nursing in mind. I will definitely speak with someone again, but at the soonest I won't be taking any classes until 2010.

What I'd like to know, is, in Ohio, does anyone know if you must be an STNA or LPN to go to school to be an RN?

Also, I'm planning on going to Kent State, and the nursing program says it is "selective" - I would imagine this is standard? What should I know to best be prepared to be accepted? Are they selective, as to say, you must have a certain grade point average, and pre-entrance testing score, or is there more?

Also, I feel silly asking this, but, the classes I took were transferrable from a different college, however, it was years ago, about 6 1/2, do they ever go bad? LOL Do credits stay good forever or do you lose them after so long?

Another question, I know this is a lot, but I'm really concerned about the healthcare reform talk that is going on...would this have any effect on wages? I of course have a great deal of interest in the work itself, but a huge incentive for me is also the pay and how it could benefit my family. I'd hate to put a lot of time and money into school to find that wages were drastically lower by the time I get out of school...which I would guess wouldn't be for at least 3-4 years.

I would be grateful for any advice or experiences anyone can share. I'm extremely nervous at the thought of not only going back to school, but going to school for something so intense with young children. But I'm also very excited at the thought of doing something I've thought about for a very long time.

[JasmDasm]

Hey Pumpkin;

Congrats on going back to school, lots of us here are going into our pre-requisites. I can try to help answer some of your questions.

The best thing you can do right now is to check out your local community colleges and nursing schools (some are affiliated with directly with hospitals, so also check out hospitals in your area to see if they have any programs). Write a list of questions you may have. Call them (I learned email doesn't work too well when it comes to schools - Nobody responds!) ask them what they require. Most are the same, but some can differ.

Schools usually look at 3 things; your GPA (3.0 in some places - but every school is different), your entrance exam scores, and successful completion of your pre-requisites. While some schools will view your one or two of these things as more important, the best thing to do is to make sure you keep your grades up! In NY, you don't need to be an CNA or Tech or LPN to become an RN, and I would think the same for Ohio. Most schools are very selective, experience in medical field isn't necessary - but a plus!

Yes, college credits do have a shelf life. I am applying to one school that says I have to have taken and passed the pre-reqs within 5 years, another one is saying 8 years and one more is saying 10 years. If necessary, you can take challenge exams such as CLEP or Excelsior, so you won't have to take the class over. But, if you have taken the class over 10 years ago, it would be wise to take the course again as a refresher or to just get your GPA up.

As far as healthcare reform, I really don't know. We will have to just wait and see. But if this is what you want to do, then go for it. Hope this helps. Good luck!!!!

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

JasmDasm - my questions were long and many, so thank you for taking the time to read and even answer each one! You've given me some new things to think about that I hadn't, and I appreciate that. I am going to call tomorrow the nursing program advisor at the school I would like to go to, and see if she can help. I am very excited, things are looking as if this could be a real possibility for me. Yay!

[JasmDasm]

Yay Pumpkin!

One thing I learned and just recently is you have to keep an open mind about where you want to attend. I am sure, just like me, you have your heart set on a particular school - and that is great! But check other schools too. You don't want to get stuck on a waiting list or have to wait an additional year because you didn't make the cut. Originally, I was looking into applying for 3, but now that I see so many people interested in the same schools as me, I am applying to 6.

So glad things are looking more realistic for you.

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

JasmDasm - that's good advice, and I think I will do as you say and look at some of the other schools. The reason I chose this one in particular is because it is the closest and a reputable school. It also has the shortest waiting list of any nearest me, so my fingers are crossed. But you're right, I shouldn't count on just this one, I will definitely get more informed on the other schools and what they offer. Thank you again!