What does it take?

Lori RN_09_2b · Jun 10, 2006

Been there, done that! I got to a point in my life when I wanted a CAREER, not just another job. Nursing appears to be the perfect fit (though I'm just entering year two of a four-year program--check back in a year or two!).

It sounds like you have your hands full with family, but school and a family are definitely workable. It's actually been great for my 13 y.o. daughter to see her Mom working so hard to attain a dream (even if Mom DOES get a bit cranky when she's been studying too late!)

If you have any questions about nursing school, I'd be happy to help out. If you're trying to decide whether nursing is for you, I think only you can answer that, but it's great that you're exploring options!

Best of luck in whatever you decide!

Lori

fayethlove · Jun 10, 2006

I can relate, I am a 24 year old single mom. I have worked as a CSR before and absolutely hated it. I have developed a pure hate for working administrative office jobs, everyday is a struggle for me to get out of bed to go to work and do something that I have no passion for. I want a career, not a job. I want to feel like I am doing something that actually matters. If nursing is really what you want to do GO FOR IT!! I will be starting school for my BSN this fall. I have to do something to make a better life for my son. Good Luck!

L&D_2b · Jun 10, 2006

Well here i am rounding towards 30 and very sick of having no specific education and working lovely callcenter jobs. Well I would like a bit more out of life and have no clue where to start. a blurb about me I work ft as a CSR for UPS. I am hapily married have a 16 mo old son a 16 yr old step son 12 yr old step daughter and a loving hubby of 32 who has MS. I am the sole supporter do to his disability and he stays home with the kids. I am applying at some different colleges and nursing seems to be the way to go I have always wanted to do some kind of work at a hospital and at one point i wanted to be a pediatrition... well hopefully i hear from all of you who have some imput
HUgzzz

You can do it! Why not look into some online classes at your local community college? You could also try http://www.ccconline.org or http://www.edukan.org Both are a group of community colleges that offer accredited courses. You could start working on your pre-requisites.

You could also look into CLEP. That is where you take a test (for about $50) and if you pass, you earn the college credit. Many colleges accept this as credit. You can buy CLEP study materials on eBay and CLEP out of many subjects such as english, math, psychology, human development, etc. Those are usually the start of the prerequisites for a nursing program. You can get more information at http://www.collegeboard.com

Good luck!

illidan01 · Jun 10, 2006

:balloons: you do have a very busy life! i would talk it over with your husband and see how he feels. i am closer to 50 yrs, and it does take the support and understanding of your spouse. i say go for it! if you have a good computer at home you can take courses online, but you have to discover how you learn best. do you learn in a quiet environment,one on one interatction, or disciplined enough for online. if your husband knows it will take more time away from your family (lots of study time and class time) and is ok with that - the pay-off will be worth it. besides, the two older kids might just relate better to you because you have to study too! please check into it and don't give up! :flowersfo

ms mimi · Jun 10, 2006

well first you have to get your pre-reqs out of the way: anatomy & pysiology, chemistry, microbiology...then you can apply for the nursing program, and maybe wait a couple of semesters to get in. i would highly recommend going to a community college ADN program. for your situation it would cost less than half that of a BSN, and it wouldn't take as long to get out there and start working as an RN. you may have to wait for a couple of semesters to get in, but the GPA requirement at the university where i live is brutal. even if you have a 4.0 you still might not get in, it is highly competitive there. the ADN program where i'm at requires that you get at least a "C" or better in your pre-reqs and then you may apply.

NoWaNrN, ASN, RN · Jun 10, 2006

Going to school is a family ordeal, it changes everyones routine. If your husband is as supporting to you as you are to him then you will do fine. It is mentally exsausting going to school, working, and juggling the family, but if you want to be a nurse you will make it happen. Good luck.

stpauligirl · Jun 13, 2006

Well here i am rounding towards 30 and very sick of having no specific education and working lovely callcenter jobs. Well I would like a bit more out of life and have no clue where to start. a blurb about me I work ft as a CSR for UPS. I am hapily married have a 16 mo old son a 16 yr old step son 12 yr old step daughter and a loving hubby of 32 who has MS. I am the sole supporter do to his disability and he stays home with the kids. I am applying at some different colleges and nursing seems to be the way to go I have always wanted to do some kind of work at a hospital and at one point i wanted to be a pediatrition... well hopefully i hear from all of you who have some imput
HUgzzz

It takes blood, sweat and tears! It's hard to have a family to take care of and go to school. You are lucky to have your husband take care of your children. Good luck.

jewelz78 · Jun 15, 2006

Thank you so much alot of good input i found a program here locally that does nurisng program through vocational schooling and so i will be starting that in july hopefully all works out . thnx gals,guys