Very New to Nursing...Still Taking Generals in Minnesota

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Hello Everyone,

I am so glad that I found this website! I've been reading some of the post and I find this site to be very helpful. I am 40 years old, married with 2 children and decided pursuing a nursing career because I love helping people. I have enrolled the local community college and are taking my generals..(which will take me a while to finsh since I have to work a fulltime job to help support the family) So before I can enter the LPN program I have to have the preq's done. I am employed as a customer service rep for the local phone company and would rather help people in another dynamic. I do realize that nursing is an important job and it is a calling. I like to help people get well.

I just have a couple of questions:

I've talked to 2 women that started to pursue a nursing career and dropped out saying that it was too hard? Is that true? Im no brainiac kind of person. Are the nursing courses that hard? I know I will have to take chemistry as one of the preq's that they require plus the biology and all. I want to keep on going until i finish and then eventually get my RN degree.

Also what kind of salary do Lpn's make? and what would be a good speciality to go into?. From what Ive heard, they dont make to much more than what Im making right now $35,000 per yer) Is that true? Or what depts can you make a little more being an LPN? Forgive me for all the questions...I'm just curious finally got up the nerve to ask questions. This will be a new chapter in my life!:redbeathe:yeah:

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

I suggest taking the courses you fear the most first such as chemistry if that is required. It is not required for all schools, it just depends. What makes it difficult is that so much information is thrown out in such a short time period. Salaries, hmmm when I left the state of mn 10 years ago I was making a bit over $16.00 an hour. I have no idea what they pay at this time for new grads. In mn. at least the area I was in north of you in the Twin Ports , anyone working in the hospitals made more than anywhere else.

Here in Florida one can make more working in LTC facilities. Good luck in your career.You can do school do not give up.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Office, Psych.
hello everyone,

i am so glad that i found this website! i've been reading some of the post and i find this site to be very helpful. i am 40 years old, married with 2 children and decided pursuing a nursing career because i love helping people. i have enrolled the local community college and are taking my generals..(which will take me a while to finsh since i have to work a fulltime job to help support the family) so before i can enter the lpn program i have to have the preq's done. i am employed as a customer service rep for the local phone company and would rather help people in another dynamic. i do realize that nursing is an important job and it is a calling. i like to help people get well.

i just have a couple of questions:

i've talked to 2 women that started to pursue a nursing career and dropped out saying that it was too hard? is that true? im no brainiac kind of person. are the nursing courses that hard? i know i will have to take chemistry as one of the preq's that they require plus the biology and all. i want to keep on going until i finish and then eventually get my rn degree.

also what kind of salary do lpn's make? and what would be a good speciality to go into?. from what ive heard, they dont make to much more than what im making right now $35,000 per yer) is that true? or what depts can you make a little more being an lpn? forgive me for all the questions...i'm just curious finally got up the nerve to ask questions. this will be a new chapter in my life!:redbeathe:yeah:

the bottom line is where you live, i live in pa, work at a prison, & i have to say i make $54,000 with some overtime, and i work as a college professor & teach medical courses for the police academy & the correctional academy where i bring in $6000 a year.. so i clear $60,000 easy :yeah:- and i am an lpn, i guess it depends on what kind of nursing you want to do?

do you want direct patient care? do you want supervisory detail? do you want speciality care? er/maternity?peds? or/?

i guess you have to soul search & find out what you want to do in nursing ....... i couldnt go back to finish my degree- i only have 11 credits left but the amount of money i make now wouldnt pay off my schooling & be ahead.. so to speak! plus i am an assistant supervisor- so ! i have no complaints about being an lpn... :up:

as far as school goes, if you put your mind:specs: to it you can do it, nursing is tough , but more than that its dedication & determination:wink2:, i had 2 children when i was going through nursing school- 1 was 6weeks old & the other was 2 1/2 yrs old & 18 yrs later , i am still a hard working lpn......:jester:...

good luck & don't let anyone scare you from your dream!!

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Thanks for the encouragement guys! That really made me feel warm and fuzzy to be a member of this site! Yeah...I was thinking in the range of OB/Gyn, Materinity or Pediatrics. or Community or Public Health. Not sure how much they make but I think I would like to work in those areas.:heartbeat

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I am 50 and just finsihed my first year in a community college ADN program. The LPN/LVNs do not work in the hospital I work in. It is worth it to go ahead and get your RN. But in San Diego the wait list for the 2 yr ADA is 3-4 years. You could finish your LPN and take a step -up program and get your RN for only I more year. Get you sciences done, but not too early they expire. You can do it, but I would recommned not working full time and have great support at home to help you. You can do it!!!!

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Thanks. But for the sciences, you mean the biology and chemistry courses? Wow! that would be a bummer if they expire and I have to take those generals again. :cry:

My next semester includes an english writing course and computational math. My college said I had to take those first because of my assessment test outcomes. Especially if I need to take chem..they said since I have been out of school for so long I'd better take it, plus my scores reflected that I needed it.

I wish I could work part time...If my husband made a lot of money that would ideal

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