tough decisions

It is never easy for adults to fit school in with family & job responsibilities. I recommend you find a way to get the degree you want. As for Pedi nurses-my experience has been that RN's were mostly utilized in that area because more criticial thinking is required since the patient's conditions change rapidly, RN's are needed to do all the IV meds (rarely do oral for pedi) and lawsuits are more likely in maternal-child than other areas. But you could call around. I would call HR to see if they can recommend some LVN's to talk to.

I am 20 now, and I want to start oragnizing my life.

In high school i was really slow, i hated it. therefor my marks suffered. It wasnt until recently that I discovered nursing may finally be the right route for me. Id love to work with kids, one day, providing health care, developing relationships with thier families. Children just seem to be so facinating and fun! problem is, there are 2 different routes that I could possible take.

option A would be to get my PN diploma from a community college, from there work a half year or so, then do the bridging program to RN. This I like becuase the PN course is rather short and within a year Id already be qualified to do a nursing job/gather experience. Id have a hard time dedicating 4 years of continuious schooling. This may break things up for me.

option B would be to take the whole of my next year, dedicate it to highschool upgrading then hopefully get accepted into a BSN program somewhere here in BC. either way i dont expect to be fully in a job doing what I'll love until im 25.

Its hard for me mentally becuase I want to be settled down before that age.

I choose to become a RN becuase Id like to work at a childrens hospital. Pediatric care is my goal.

A side question: do LPNs find it tough trying to get work in pediatric settings? I assume RN's are more prominant.

Man, I feel for you. This is how I'm feeling right now & I'm 19 & I want so badly to be "settled" with my life before I hit 24-25. That's one of my biggest fears & like you do, I feel as if the Nursing profession will be my only choice to afford me that goal. I'm not academically exceptional per se so I'm a bit worried. My weakest points are math & English & I suffer from anxiety when I'm doing some sort of public presentation or anything that involves me standing & speaking infront of class. I also wasn't that noteworthy in highschool with my mediocre grades. It seems like the odds are against me, but I'm willing to give it a shot.

Jeff and Narcissistic -

Please let me assure you that if you are settled by the time you are 25, you are WAY ahead of the game. To have such a strong idea of what you want to do at your age is huge. Don't worry about not being "the best" academically - perserverance and hard work will get you to your goal. Stay focused, consistently work towards your goals, and don't let the invisible time clock stress you out.

That clock was such a monkey on back for 10 years that I didn't get anything DONE because I was so stressed about not being able to get it done in time.

Jeff - go for the RN from the start. You'll probably decide to get it eventually anyway, might as well just start there.

Good luck to you!

Amanda

Jeff and Narcissistic -

Please let me assure you that if you are settled by the time you are 25, you are WAY ahead of the game. To have such a strong idea of what you want to do at your age is huge. Don't worry about not being "the best" academically - perserverance and hard work will get you to your goal. Stay focused, consistently work towards your goals, and don't let the invisible time clock stress you out.

That clock was such a monkey on back for 10 years that I didn't get anything DONE because I was so stressed about not being able to get it done in time.

Jeff - go for the RN from the start. You'll probably decide to get it eventually anyway, might as well just start there.

Good luck to you!

Amanda

Can an RN (ADN) pick any area they want to work (like with children)?

Man, I feel for you. This is how I'm feeling right now & I'm 19 & I want so badly to be "settled" with my life before I hit 24-25. That's one of my biggest fears & like you do, I feel as if the Nursing profession will be my only choice to afford me that goal. I'm not academically exceptional per se so I'm a bit worried. My weakest points are math & English & I suffer from anxiety when I'm doing some sort of public presentation or anything that involves me standing & speaking infront of class. I also wasn't that noteworthy in highschool with my mediocre grades. It seems like the odds are against me, but I'm willing to give it a shot.

Keep moving forward guys! Attitude is 99% and you will find your way on the journey. Some exposure to healthcare, say, as a Nursing assistant, would give you a view of what is out there. You'll see others in nursing and other health professions, and you will get a vision for your niche.

Can an RN (ADN) pick any area they want to work (like with children)?

pretty much an RN can choose to apply for jobs in any area. This does not mean you will get jobs in any area, but you can apply for them.