Hi Joe,Originally Posted by JoeMac4401
Wow, I never thougth I'd say this but I'm in the same boat as you! I'm currently a junior in a university majoring in accounting but I decided to become a nurse last semester. I am 22 right now and I received a cadaveric kidney transplant 3 yrs ago. I actually wanted to become a nurse a long time ago but hesistated because I thought it'd be embarassing to be a male nurse. However, I did a lot of thinking lately and I thought to myself that I would be much more of a happy person if I do something I love. I love helping people and all the years I've spent in the hospitals gave me a good perspective on the nursing career. So, a few weeks ago I had a doctor appointment and I pop up the question. My nephrologist said that it'd be wonderful if I become a nurse. I also talked to my nurse transplant coordinator and she said I should not be worry about my medical condition and it would not hinder my nursing career. She also said you never have to disclose your medical condition to anyone. I also know a nurse at a dialysis clinic who had a kidney transplant. Anyway, I think you should go for it if you have genuine love to help other people. As for school, you can go to a community college to get your Associate degree in nursing for 2 years or you can go to a university to get a Bachelor in nursing and that would take 4 years. To get a master you would need a Bachelor. Before enrolling in a nursing program, you are required to take the prequisites: Anatomy, Chemistry, Psychology, Human Development, Nutrition, etc... I will start taking the nursing prereq this wednesday when my university starts. To become a transplant coordinator, which is what I also wanted to become, doesn't require a master i think; as my transplant coordinator only have a BSN. As for paying for school, there are scholarships for students with kidneys problem. Ask your social worker about the National Kidney Foundation scholarship; they will help you pay for school. I also recommend you to apply for federal grant from http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ website. How much you receive depends on your parents' income. Good luck! I hope you will get your new kidney soon! If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at hienstran@hotmail.com.
- Vincent