[Biol20fan]

I can't believe it, but I finally got accepted into the local college's RN program after 2 1/2 years of being in the lottery!!! But now my nerves are starting to go crazy. This is something that I have been working towards for so long, that it almost felt like it would never come to fruition.

I have a question for those of you that are in nursing school currently, or have already completed it. Please tell me honestly, do/did you love being in nursing school? Or are/did you hating/hate it? I just kind of want to get an idea of what I'm getting into here. I know it's a lot of work, but I'm hoping that since I am finally getting a start on a degree that I have wanted so badly for so long, that I will at least enjoy some aspects of it.

I believe I will do fine, since I have a very supportive husband. Plus, I went back to work on my prereq's when our youngest son was just four months old and I was still doing middle-of-the-night feedings. I managed to get through all of the classes, end up with a 3.3 (I think?) GPA, plus get a lifetime membership in AGS, all the while raising two little boys. You'd think that would give me a bit more confidence than I have. Maybe I need to psych myself up more?

Sorry for the rambling, but like I said, the butterflies in my stomach won't settle down.

Back on topic-
What is the best thing about nursing school? And what's the worst? And for those of you who have children, how did you handle it all?

[VistaGirl]

I am really enjoying nursing school! I enjoy the challenge and how it makes me really think and analyzing problems. I do think that I enjoy my schooling because it is my only responsibility. I have noticed that the students who have children and have to maintain jobs are much more stressed out and no not enjoy being so stretched out for time. It really depends what mindset you go into the program with. If you go in positive no matter what your responsibilities you will have a much greater possibility of having a positive experience.

[GratefulHeart]

Originally Posted by Biol20fan

What is the best thing about nursing school? And what's the worst? And for those of you who have children, how did you handle it all?

Best thing: Challenging in every way [growth factor]
Worst thing: Challenging in every way [fatigue factor]

How do you handle it all? --Only by the grace of God, which includes a very supportive husband, kids at ages where they're pretty self sufficient, and an acceptance that life will be MORE imperfect and chaotic than feels comfortable throughout the duration of nursing school.

[june2009]

I really enjoy nursing school too. Right now it's the end-of-the-semester crunch so I'm hating it, only because after 13 weeks of juggling work, husband, children, house, and school I'm ready for a break. We also have more difficult, multiple patient assignments. It's really challenging and I've seen things that most people don't even know are possible.
Just

[june2009]

Keep a positive attitude and good luck!

[Biol20fan]

Originally Posted by VistaGirl

I am really enjoying nursing school! I enjoy the challenge and how it makes me really think and analyzing problems. I do think that I enjoy my schooling because it is my only responsibility. I have noticed that the students who have children and have to maintain jobs are much more stressed out and no not enjoy being so stretched out for time. It really depends what mindset you go into the program with. If you go in positive no matter what your responsibilities you will have a much greater possibility of having a positive experience.

Fortunately I don't have a job outside of the home, so my only other responsibilities are my children and husband. I know that it will help that my children are older and don't need me quite as much; plus, my mother-in-law said they would take the boys so I could study.

I figured that the RN program would be like any other program (as long as it's a program that you really want to make a career out of), that there'd be classes you love and classes you don't love.

I'm really excited, so I think that will help me to have a positive attitude. Plus, I'm not only doing this for my family, I'm doing it for myself. I've busted my tush too much to not give it my all. And I am a very good student (good study habits, etc.), so I hope that will help.

And to think that wow, I am getting a chance to go into the career of my choice, and hopefully make a decent living at it...that is one of the most exciting things. Some people play the "what if..." game when it comes to their career paths; I'm so glad that (hopefully) I won't be doing that.

I am sooooo glad this board exists! Thanks for your response, VistaGirl!

[Biol20fan]

Thank you, GratefulHeart and june2009!

I don't want to go into this with either a "pie in the sky" attitude or a negative one. I'm going to try to take it as it comes, and be grateful that I finally have this opportunity to be in this program.

I have a friend who has been a nurse for about six years now (and she went through the same program that I'll be going into), plus an acquaintance who is a pediatric ER doc (and an author; I think I'll have to plug her book in another section of this board, if that's alright with the mods). I have a strong feeling I'll be leaning on them a lot! Oh, and this board! I bet I will become an allnurses junkie.

[CaringBella]

I am a few weeks from finishing my first semester in an accelerated BSN program and I love it! Don't get me wrong, it is hard work and sometimes I can't believe I'm actually doing it but it is so worth all the work and stress. I think that if you were still happy to get accepted after waiting 2 1/2 years then you really want it. You will love it and you'll do just fine! GOOD LUCK!

[krenee]

I'd have to say . . . both, depends on the day! Overall I do love it, somehow despite all the stress. But I'm nearing the end of the semester and feeling really, really tired! So I'd have to say I love the breaks too!

Best of luck!

Kelly

[Southernkitten]

I love nursing school. I am finishing up my second semester in a BSN program, I have three sons aged 19, 17 and 15 with a boyfriend who lives in another time zone and a one hour commute (each way) to school so I am STRESSED most of the time, but this is what I want to do and I really enjoy it. I GOT TO HELP TWO WOMEN LABOR AND DELIVER THEIR BABIES!!!! It was amazing. I am slightly psychotic (haha) most of the time because I NEVER have time to study and it feels like I'm always driving (plus my transmission went out for $2K to repair) and we are going deeper into debt every month because I have more money going out than coming in, but I've had this dream since 1992 and I am making it a reality. Life is short! Make it what you want! I have NO help and I am doing it - with a supportive family you should be able to make a great go of it.