I Found My Calling

Have you considered being a midwife or a doula? http://www.seattlemidwifery.org/ can get you started for you doula training at least and more information on becoming a midwife. What a wonderful way to be there for women when they need you most. And I have also heard that nursing schools in the area (and anywhere) are struggling to keep up with applicants.
I know that with my first daughter my L&D nurse was my savior.
Good luck and congrats on finding something so meaningful!
B.

i'm pretty sure its a 4 year bachelors degree. its a nursing certification specializing in midwifery. i would strongly suggest contacting the school and they can tell you EXACTLY where to start and what classes to take. how long it will take, how to get financial aid and everything else. i just enrolled in school hoping to start in the fall, but found the deadline for financial aid for the fall quarter has passed. so if that's the financial route your going to take, i would suggest applying now for the winter quarter. you don't have to be enrolled for classes or anything to apply, just make sure you apply to be a student first. they need to have you in the system. good luck. i considered doing that after my son was born, and i'm sure i would have loved it, but the possible schedule issues with a job like that wouldn't be feasible for me. i pretty much take care of the kids on my own and you can often be on call and have to go to the hospital in the middle of the night with no warning. i would stress considering that first, and if its something you can do and you have the childcare you need, then go for it!!!

There are a number of good nursing schools in the area so which one to attend should be based on cost, covenience, as well as your long term goals. I have an associate RN degree. In Washington, RNs are paid the same regardless of whether they attend a 2 or 4 year program. In general, you will receive more clinical experience going through a 2-year program but if you think you may be interested in an education or management position down the road, I would recommend a Bachelor degree in nursing. Regardless, you are committing yourself to a minimum of 3 years of education as you will require at least a year of prerequisite courses, even for a two year program.
I highly recommend the nursing profession as a career. You will have job security as well as unlimited opportunities to proceed down the path of your choice. Like you, I had every intention of becoming an L & D nurse. When I graduated from school I entered the area of oncology and found my home. Enjoy the journey, wherever it may take you, and best of luck!
K.

Take your time enjoying your boys and plan carefully your next steps. Highline CC used to have really good nursing school. That would be helpful so you could spend lots of time with your family as well as your schooling. I found that the second time that I went to school I was much more focused and that made it easier to do well. Good luck.

Highline CC has a 2 yr RN program, but.... you will have to take several pre-req classes and then apply for the program. The sad part of this story is that there are so few seats for all the applicants. That doesn't mean you don't go to school and get the pre-reqs done, but realize that it may take awhile to realize your dream. Bellevue CC also has a 2 yr RN program, again, the number of seats are inadequate for all who want to attend. You can try the LPN approach, where you go to a technical college, like Renton Technical, take the pre-reqs and apply for the 1 yr LPN program, and then there is a transitional program from LPN to RN that many are using. Seriously, go to Highline CC and talk to a counselor to get all the information. You'll need to take some tests so they can place you in the appropriate math and English classes and then register for your fall quarter classes. You may qualify for some tuition aid, as tuition is apt to be in the neighborhood of $1100 a qtr, plus books and fees. I know there is on campus childcare at BCC and would venture a guess that such a program exists at HCC. I hope things work out for you and yours. L&D nurses are great people and make the difference for so many new families.

Hey E,
Colleges are so helpful and have great guidance counselors to help you along the way...Setting up your plan, academically as well as financially. Call Highline and ask to talk with someone. They will tell you where to start.
Good Choice, Good Luck!
D. C

I have also always wanted to do this. Good luck. If you can't get into a program, you can always become a lactation consultant or a PEPS volunteer.