Do You Have What it Takes to Be a Nurse?

Hello, SLewis, I am also a nursing Student at 32 with children, single mom, I took most of my prerequisites for the nursing program at a community college and the Pell Grant funded all of them. I just transferred to a university because I plan on getting my bachelor's and doctorate so I can be one of the nursing instructors...i love nursing and I love teaching too...i found after transferring to the university, that there are more grants and scholarships avaiable at the university level, tuition is higher, but it ends up evening out....check your state scholarship programs, there are specific "Nursing Scholarships" in most if not all states....because you already have a Bachelor's Degree, you are eligible for an Accelerated degree program at the community college an university level, check into what is offered at the schools in your area. Bravo! for getting your CNA, you will learn sooo much working under nurses! I have been a cna at a nursing home and have now been at a local hospital for almost 5 years while going to school for the past few years....GOOD LUCK!!!!

Good article.....and this makes me want to become a nurse even more! I know what I'm getting myself into and I know that I am very lucky to get to work side by side everynight at work to help others.....it's very rewarding for me!

thanks for sharing!

JuddPaynter, to answer your question, there's also a shortage of Nursing Professors, that's why the nursing programs can accept so little people at a time.

I love this article. It makes me more proud to be a nursing student.

I became a nursing student this year and this was my third time applying to a nursing program. I would talk to whoever does the enrolling for the school that you want to go to and ask them what you need to do to be accepted. They are the ones in the "know". Do whatever they tell you and keep checking in with them. Be persistent and don't give up. Find a school you like and concentrate your efforts there. Take your pre-req's first while wating and get good grades. Especially in the maths and sciences. Take some electives that you will be useful to you when you do get into the field. They want to see students that are totally committed to studying and the program. They want to ensure that you are going to finish and be successful and a well rounded nurse. While I was waiting some electives that I took were a statistics class, a disaster relief class, a class on death and dying and a spanish for health professionals. The main point is to start somewhere whether it be in an Associate degree program or a Bachelor degree program. Doesn't matter which because it's the same exam and you are still an RN whether you go 2 or 4 years. Community colleges are a great resource and usually have excellent nursing programs. It's a smaller student body and the professors get to know their students. I love my school. So good luck and don't give up! By the way, I am 50 so it doesn't matter how old you are.

what is the first step i need to take to become apart of the nursing field? i have tried all different steps online and have gotten no where what step should i take first? i was on the na registry for 2 years and and didn't get any further i've always wanted to become a RN but i need help.

Zee - No you are not too old, I'm 44 and just finishing all my pre-req's for nursing school. You need to investigate nursing programs in your area to see what the requirements are and if the school is the right fit for you. You have the option of a 2 year RN programs through some community colleges or a BSN which is a 4 year nursing degree. Which you choose is dependent on you. Hope that Helps.