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Meet Lindsay Bolson, PN graduate
If you’re like me, you got interested in nursing because you have a true desire to help people. I actually tried doing something different when I first graduated from high school, but nursing “called me back.”
After graduating from ISU in journalism and working in the field for a while, I knew it wasn’t 
challenging enough for me and I wasn’t helping people the way I wanted to. Even though I had my four-year degree, I still needed to take some prerequisite classes before I enrolled in the nursing program here. Some of those prerequisites were offered in the summer, so that’s when I took them. I always kept in contact with the nursing admissions office to make sure I was on track with my requirements to enroll when the PN program began in August.
Once I was in the program, I learned right away I had to balance my time well. I learned that I can’t go into the nursing program half-way. There’s always going to be that time struggle with family. I’ve had a good support system from my family and that has helped tremendously. I had a baby in January 2011 and originally planned on taking two or three weeks off. But, as life would have it, my baby came early and I had an emergency C-section! So, instead of missing two or three weeks of class, I missed all of February! But because of the support I have from my husband and parents, I got caught up. The instructors were also very supportive.
So this is really my point: If you put your mind to it you can do it. If you choose to go into nursing, you know it’s going to be tough. You have to have some level of determination. This program is all about having a positive attitude. It’s really determination, time management and family support that will get you through. And the nursing instructors and staff all want you to succeed so they will always be encouraging you.
But being a nurse – we all know it’s going to be worth it. When you’re doing your clinical rotation, you begin to get a glimpse of what you’ve learned and how to apply it in a situation. You’re helping people more during clinicals and you evolve during the year. It’s cool to see your classmates doing the same thing.
Your whole life changes the day you become a nurse. So don’t give up, because it’s all worth it in the end. It only gets better once you’re done. I plan on enrolling in the ADN program next. Entering the nursing program was a great decision and I know you will feel the same way, too!
Lindsay Bolson, PN grad 2011