Nurses, Student Nurses and Pre-Req takers - Page 3

[brittney_]

That looks like a pretty full schedule. More than 15 credits? Don't over do it, its ok if it takes you a little bit longer to get all of your prereqs done, you want to get good grades.
A&P is going to take a lot of work. The firs time I took it, I was taking a full class load, and I got a C. The second time I only took one other class.
You could also look into community college nursing programs, then find an RN-BSN program when you're done. There aren't quite as many prereqs at first and you'd save some money. Just a thought.

[an_aurora]

I take my final tomorrow and then I am DONE with my first semester! Only three more to go....bleh.

It was rough. I started out pretty confident and by the end I was really questioning what the heck I'm doing. Our class is very small and we're all pretty close, and everyone else said the same thing. I think I have to keep in mind that "this" is not what I'm going to do. School is only 2 years and then working as a nurse will be totally different. I just feel so run ragged by kids + school + work. DH is in school FT as well and it's really, really tough.

[Drummer's Wife]

Amy, that does seem like a lot for the first semester back. I would see how your school figures GPA just in case you had to retake something. Some average the two grades, and others replace the grade with the higher one. I just say that 'cause it's likely really competative, and while a 3.0 might be the minimum, chances are the students admitted have 3.5's and higher, yk?

I would probably see about taking A+P by itself over the summer. Even online if need be. CCConline.org would transfer to Pueblo state, I'm thinking

Either way, good luck! It's okay to take longer doing pre-req's if that's what it takes to do really well w/o stressing yourself out.

[amydidit]

Thanks for the help guys. Yeah, it's 17 credits. When I first met with my advisor she admitted it's more than they normally like to give in a first semester, but since I have to take the math refresher, and those credits don't count, it was the only way to move toward graduating in 4 years.

I looked into the nursing program at Pueblo CC and really didn't like it. I'd rather stay with CSU completely. I'm leaning toward dropping A&P this semester. See how I do with my other classes. It's going to be a new experience studying with kids around. Better ease back into it a little at a time.

DH is totally on board with me taking longer in school. He said he's fine with me going to school forever if it makes me happy. So at least it's nice to have support with this decision.

Thanks again guys.

[PieKat]

I am not a nursing student, but am getting my MA in Speech Pathology. I would, as a mama and student, NOT recommend doing overkill your first semester back. . . esp / anatomy and physiology. 4.5-5 years, while it seems like a looong time, will go pretty fast and focusing on your family and classes is (IMO) more important than setting this deadline. Perhaps if you made sure you took classes that you could over the summer, you could graduate in 4?

[amydidit]

Okay, A&P has been dropped. I feel a bit less explodey now.

[frolick16]

RN student here, I am in a two year program, and in my final semester...due to taking a leave of absence for a semester and breaking up another semester with just lecture for one semester and the clinical in the other, and switching to eve/weekends (lecture every Monday, clinical every other weekend) this semester, I will graduate May 2011, I should have graduated this past December. But with kiddos, working and not wanting to do daycare I had to be flexible and luckily so was my school. I highly recommend pacing yourself, I was not prepared for the LONG hours needed for studying and clinical prep...I used to be a straight A student and am now happily a A/B student. I am much more balanced. My advice, get all pre-req's out of the way before starting the clinical portion that way you can really focus. Good Luck to Everyone!!!

[kittykat2481]

Hi! I just graduated from nursing school and I'm set to start an internship in the OR of a level 2 trauma center in Dallas. Are there any OR nurses here? I'm nervous and excited at the same time.

[jshannyn519]

I finished all of my pre-reqs and degree requirements last semester (Spring 2010) and I start clinicals in the fall. My clinical program is 2 1/2 years, the final semester is an internship where each student nurse works alongside an RN to learn the ropes more.

My class schedule is going to be pretty intense, but doable. I'll be in school Monday through Thursday, but only Tuesday is truly all day. I'll be out of school/clinical/lab by 2 pm on all the other days, and I have Fridays off.

I don't work because I won't have time. Unless someone wants to hire me to work for 3 hours on Mondays and Wednesdays, and 6 hours on Fridays. lol Between my school schedule, the kids' school schedules (DS starts middle school in the fall too!) and their sports schedules we are super busy all the time.

Eventually I'll be going to grad school in Dallas to get my DNP and be a CNM. That's several years down the road though.

[lanielayne]

I have been taking my pre-reqs very slowly. Just finished my second semester FT online at a local college and before that it had been more than a decade since I had been in school. With 5 kids - 3 in elementary and 2 at home - it has been quite a struggle. Next semester I have A&P I and Microbiology which I am pretty concerned about. Anyone have any ideas on what I can do this summer to help me have an easier time? I have taken a medical transcription class that helped me learn some of the meanings of medical terms. Any advice?

[pdxmomazon]

Originally Posted by lanielayne

Next semester I have A&P I and Microbiology which I am pretty concerned about. Anyone have any ideas on what I can do this summer to help me have an easier time? I have taken a medical transcription class that helped me learn some of the meanings of medical terms. Any advice?

I'm taking microbiology over the summer. I only have 2 at home and I can't imagine having enough time to study for both micro and A/P. At my community college micro is suggested as a prerequisite for A/P. I'd split them up!

[ihugtrees]

I haven't read the whole thread but am subbing so I can later on when I don't have a sick/teething baby asleep on me :-D

So I am considering going into nursing. My background is in childcare--I've been a nanny and a preschool teacher the last few years. I was briefly a CNA, but now that I have a child, I'd really rather be a nanny until my daughter is older. She can come with me to work right now, which is sooo nice. If I was a CNA, I'd be making so little money that I could only afford to pay the cheapest sitter or daycare out there...not exactly what I want for her, especially not at barely 1 year old. So, has anyone ever gone into nursing with little actual medical field experience? Will I be able to get into nursing school (in about 1-1.5 years, after I finish my pre-req's) if I haven't worked in a clinical setting at all? I'm also working on doula certification right now, so I will have some experience doing that by the time that I apply to LPN school...

My goal is to go for my LPN first, then RN...after that, I *think* I want to apply to midwifery school, or maybe just work on becoming an IBCLC.

Also, has anyone run into any issues with going to a community college program? My local community college has a 4 quarter LPN program, then a 3 quarter bridge to RN from there, so I'm kind of excited about that.

[aussiemum]

I am almost halfway through my full-time nursing degree, & I'm... glad (isn't quite the right word!) to hear that many others find the degree challenging. I have two other degrees already, & this one is by far the hardest I have ever done. I love the clinical aspects of nursing practice, but am finding 2nd year pathophysiology and pharmacology incredibly difficult (& I have a biology background!). It's hard work, but I love working with the patients and their families, & that is what keeps me going. After I finish the 3 year degree, I have another year of full-time apprenticeship, then another year studying midwifery, then another year of studying emergency nursing. Possibly one more year of tropical public health studies to give me the background I need to work abroad after my kids finish school.

No particular advice, but if it is your dream to be a nurse, you will find a way to make it happen.

[indigolilybear]

Nice to see other NM moms here.....

I'm doing A&P I and nutrtion online. A little overwhelmed with the kiddos at home but am trying to panic.

I am also toying with the idea of doing OT or PT instead of nursing. Luckily the prereqs are about the same.....

[~savah~]

I just wanted to bop in and say "hi". I will be going back to school in the fall to work on my prereqs. I plan on taking it slow so that I don't stress anyone out. I am glad to have found this thread. It is kind of nice that there are people at different levels so we can all get an idea of where we may be headed.

Originally Posted by ihugtrees

I haven't read the whole thread but am subbing so I can later on when I don't have a sick/teething baby asleep on me :-D

So I am considering going into nursing. My background is in childcare--I've been a nanny and a preschool teacher the last few years. I was briefly a CNA, but now that I have a child, I'd really rather be a nanny until my daughter is older. She can come with me to work right now, which is sooo nice. If I was a CNA, I'd be making so little money that I could only afford to pay the cheapest sitter or daycare out there...not exactly what I want for her, especially not at barely 1 year old. So, has anyone ever gone into nursing with little actual medical field experience? Will I be able to get into nursing school (in about 1-1.5 years, after I finish my pre-req's) if I haven't worked in a clinical setting at all? I'm also working on doula certification right now, so I will have some experience doing that by the time that I apply to LPN school...

My goal is to go for my LPN first, then RN...after that, I *think* I want to apply to midwifery school, or maybe just work on becoming an IBCLC.

Also, has anyone run into any issues with going to a community college program? My local community college has a 4 quarter LPN program, then a 3 quarter bridge to RN from there, so I'm kind of excited about that.

I am pretty sure that anyone who finishes their prerequisites with acceptable grades can get into a nursing program regardless of their clinical experience.

I think this site is pretty helpful in explaining all things nursing. It seems to me the main problem with a two year degree is the upward mobility. But you can always go back to school if you feel like that is something that you want to do.

[Drummer's Wife]

Originally Posted by indigolilybear

Nice to see other NM moms here.....

I'm doing A&P I and nutrtion online. A little overwhelmed with the kiddos at home but am trying to panic.

I am also toying with the idea of doing OT or PT instead of nursing. Luckily the prereqs are about the same.....

I'm about to start A+P I online for summer term. I'm taking it through Clovis, and am honestly not sure how it will go. I took Nutrition online this semester that just ended (at SFCC) and did really well. Are you at CNM? Good luck with your courses and deciding which route to take.

[aussiemum]

That is an interesting website, sweetdaughter. From a quick read, it seems that the pathways for US-trained nurses are so much more broad than Aus-trained nurses. Here we seem to be funneled into hospital-based nursing in our training, although there is plenty of scope for a career outside the hospital system once we graduate.

[abiyhayil]

just got to read the updates, keep chugging mamas! Unfortunately the 'word' is that LPNs are being phased out here in delaware. Our three hospitals won't even look at lpns and everything else needs experience (though I apply anyway) I've even looked for volunteer spots and nothing : (

[goodygumdrops]

Hi all,

I just wanted to give an update. I'm a month into Chem and Psych, online courses. So far so good. I'm talking A&P 1 this fall and something else...maybe nutrition. Spring I'm taking A&P2 plus something.

I am midway through my second semester in my MA program. I am struggling a bit but I'm bound to catch up this week.

Other than that...I'm still here

Is everyone having fun yet?

[*Eva*]

I finally get to join you guys! I just started taking my pre-reqs to apply for nursing school over the winter and I'm so excited. I went to college back in the day so most of my credits that I've already taken are going to count already so that was a big help. I'm taking Chem 110 over the summer right now and then in the fall I'm going to be taking A+P 1, Microbiology, Psych 102 and my CNA course that they require. If I ace all of my classes I'll be going in with a 3.87 GPA so hopefully I'll get in. Just in case though I'm going to finish up my credits second semester for Pre-OT and apply to another college nearby for that and my grades are more than good enough to get in there so that's my back up plan.