Monday, January 23, 2012
Monday Jan. 23rd 2012
I figured out what path I am going to take. I will be finishing all of my prerequisites this year and possibly leading into the first semester of next school year. I will finish my regular prereqs first then apply for nursing school so I can get my "time stamp". Next I will finish the NAU prereqs done and apply for the CEP. I am really hoping that I get a start date of Fall 2013. The only way to bypass the wait list (that is available to me) is to get into CEP. This means I have to get all A's on my prereqs and a high Hesi A2 score. I was thinking this would be no biggie seeing as the classes are pretty basic. Then I realized that everyone is saying that the Rio Solado online science classes are a killer. They are apparently so poorly planned that everyone barely passes. Barely passes will not get me into the CEP program. However, I have missed the enrollment for this semester and I really want to get started. So, Rio it is and hopefully I will do well. I am going to start with CHM130 and BIO156. If just the two of them is going well then I will add in two more of the easier classes. I didn't get the best grade in HS Chem but I think I have much more focus this time :) Next step, enrollment!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Testing, orientation, choices!
So A LOT has happened since I blogged last. Lets start from the beginning, I finished my math placement exam yesterday! I got into the 140/150/187 area! Luckily that is the highest math I will need for nursing so I will be done with all of my prereqs this semester, YAY!
Next, I went to the orientation today. I spent about 30 minutes talking with April, the program director. It went splendidly and I was able to confirm all of my information. I will be meeting with her again next Thursday to make more sense of the path I will take.
In the mean time, I have done many many many hours of research on my career choice and the best path for me to classes. (I tend to obsess this way when it comes to life changing decisions) I have found several paths to my BSN and I am not quite sure how I am going to go about it. Here are the choices I have,
1. Finish prereqs, apply for nursing school at the cc, wait on the TWO AND A HALF YEAR waiting list, then complete my AA. After the AA I would go on to the 18 month program at ASU. In total that would be 6 1/2 years. 18 months later I would be able to test for my exam for midwifery.
Pros: I can continue to get more loans and grants during the 2 1/2 years wait. I can establish myself as a lactation consultant and use that as part time work during the nursing program. The ASU program is all online so I would be able to start working in the field immediately. Also, all of my prereqs are available online so I can continue to work while finishing my 2 1/2 years of the plan.
Cons: It is significantly longer than other career options, in the same amount of time I could get a masters in engineering and be making more money.
2. I finish my prereqs and my coreqs and I apply for the CEP program. After the CEP I would move directly to the 18 months of midwifery training. In all it would take 3 1/2 years plus the 18 months to become a midwife.
Pros: significantly shorter time period to get to the end result. A degree from a state university for a very low cost. I can complete the first year online and the last semester too. Only two years of "attending" traditional classes.
Cons: I may not have enough money to not work. It might be too difficult working part-time and I might end up backing down into a lower program. It might be too expensive.
3. I go to ASU for my prereqs and go directly into the nursing program. I would finish in four years and move on to the 18 month program.
Pros: I could be done quickly and no wait list.
Cons: It would cost much more. I would have to take out significant loans. I would have to work at least part-time and likely full-time. I would have to attend all of my classes in person while working full time and being a parent.
I am leaning most towards option number two. It would fit my timing best in regards to raising a family and having more kids. I can get my schooling done the fastest this way. I am not sure how I will work out funding but I think it is the right path for us. I will keep you posted as to the answers I find on financial aid. So far that is where the details get fuzzy. It is not quite clear on how the current students are managing. Also, April GCC Lady said that two of her students in the CEP program have a government stipend they are getting monthly. In return they have to work in a under served area for a certain number of years. This might be an area I can find funding in. Additionally I found a website today dedicated to funding school through any maricopa cc.
For now I am going to start my prereqs and see where I end up. I am hoping that online science isn't as hard as everyone says it will be!
Next, I went to the orientation today. I spent about 30 minutes talking with April, the program director. It went splendidly and I was able to confirm all of my information. I will be meeting with her again next Thursday to make more sense of the path I will take.
In the mean time, I have done many many many hours of research on my career choice and the best path for me to classes. (I tend to obsess this way when it comes to life changing decisions) I have found several paths to my BSN and I am not quite sure how I am going to go about it. Here are the choices I have,
1. Finish prereqs, apply for nursing school at the cc, wait on the TWO AND A HALF YEAR waiting list, then complete my AA. After the AA I would go on to the 18 month program at ASU. In total that would be 6 1/2 years. 18 months later I would be able to test for my exam for midwifery.
Pros: I can continue to get more loans and grants during the 2 1/2 years wait. I can establish myself as a lactation consultant and use that as part time work during the nursing program. The ASU program is all online so I would be able to start working in the field immediately. Also, all of my prereqs are available online so I can continue to work while finishing my 2 1/2 years of the plan.
Cons: It is significantly longer than other career options, in the same amount of time I could get a masters in engineering and be making more money.
2. I finish my prereqs and my coreqs and I apply for the CEP program. After the CEP I would move directly to the 18 months of midwifery training. In all it would take 3 1/2 years plus the 18 months to become a midwife.
Pros: significantly shorter time period to get to the end result. A degree from a state university for a very low cost. I can complete the first year online and the last semester too. Only two years of "attending" traditional classes.
Cons: I may not have enough money to not work. It might be too difficult working part-time and I might end up backing down into a lower program. It might be too expensive.
3. I go to ASU for my prereqs and go directly into the nursing program. I would finish in four years and move on to the 18 month program.
Pros: I could be done quickly and no wait list.
Cons: It would cost much more. I would have to take out significant loans. I would have to work at least part-time and likely full-time. I would have to attend all of my classes in person while working full time and being a parent.
I am leaning most towards option number two. It would fit my timing best in regards to raising a family and having more kids. I can get my schooling done the fastest this way. I am not sure how I will work out funding but I think it is the right path for us. I will keep you posted as to the answers I find on financial aid. So far that is where the details get fuzzy. It is not quite clear on how the current students are managing. Also, April GCC Lady said that two of her students in the CEP program have a government stipend they are getting monthly. In return they have to work in a under served area for a certain number of years. This might be an area I can find funding in. Additionally I found a website today dedicated to funding school through any maricopa cc.
For now I am going to start my prereqs and see where I end up. I am hoping that online science isn't as hard as everyone says it will be!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Day 2
Today I was able to start putting my classes in order. I am trying to finish my prerequisites online through Rio Salado and Phoenix College. My plan is to finish a year of prerequisites then get on the list for nursing school. I am hoping that during the wait I will be able to finish an associates degree is something else to back up my nursing education. I like history a lot so I might just go for that instead. Once I am in nursing school I plan to do the CEP program. It allows me to get a bachelors in nursing in 2.5 years instead of 4 :) After that it will take about a year to get my midwifery certification and I will be done! It will take about six years and I will be done right about the time that my youngest goes into school. Perfect timing. I will likely try to get a job in doula work, lactation consulting and L&D during my schooling. I am ready to start classes now! Ready Set GO!!!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Day 1
My husband currently goes to school full time and will be for the next four years. I work from home doing daycare and I am now pursuing my degree full time as well. We have two young children and want two or three more to "complete" our family. We live a somewhat unconventional life which we enjoy very much and it is about to get a little crazy :)
Today I have made the decision to pursue being a nurse midwife. I think that this career will satisfy my criteria for the career of my dreams. I am currently a wife to my high school sweet heart. We have been married since May 2008. I am a mother of two amazing kids, 4 years and 1 year. I am a daycare provider to a diverse group of little rascals that keep me on my feet day in and day out. A daughter to a collective five parents. I am a sister to my three siblings. I am an aunt to 11 nieces and nephews.
On top of all of this, I am now a student on my way to a bachelor's degree in nursing and a career as a Nurse Midwife.
I hope you all enjoy this journey with me and I look forward to sharing my experience for everyone. I hope that this blog helps give insight to others like me who are looking to change their life for the better!
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