After over coming tough obstacles.. I am finally on the right path

Azuteor · Apr 14, 2013

Hi Snow! You are totally awesome for overcoming these obstacles and getting accepted into nursing school! I think Middlesex County College is a two-year college, right? I believe my dad went there, or maybe it was Essex CC. Either way, my dad graduated with his ADN in NJ and eventually got his BSN and MSN. I have no doubt in my mind that your college will prepare you to be a great nurse. You will take similar courses as the BSN students in your state, but you will be more prepared clinically as ADNs are entry-level nurses and are designed to get you immediately into the workforce. The BSN degree is unique in that it emphasizes leadership, management, public health, cultural diversity, global perspectives in healthcare, ethics, and societal issues. Nowadays, the BSN degree is (slowly) becoming preferable in most hospitals due to an oversaturation of nurses, but mainly, the broad knowledge the BSN brings. You will notice in your stay here that there are TONS of ADN vs. BSN threads! You will see people arguing about which one is better, but truthfully, it is neither. In the end, it is what kind of nurse you become and how you get there. Your patient won't remember you for having an ADN/BSN/MSN/etc.; he/she will remember the love, care, and expertise you provided. The nurses who saved your life may even come from different degree levels, but that doesn't matter because you are here today.

You will always be learning so don't stop with the ADN and further your education into your BSN. Times are hard even for nurses. The job market is tight in NY and NJ, but don't let that stop you!

StayHumble11 · Apr 14, 2013

Very inspiring story. You are a very strong person and I wish you the best in your nursing career! I have a feeling you will be great at it.

Snowangel7390 · Apr 15, 2013

For the 1st time in my life something good finally happened to me. MCC is a 2 yr program & I see this as a HUGE stepping stone.

I'm so excited to the point I am telling my family. I just want support from them because they don't think my body is capable. I disagree. I get how it works because I've seen it with my own eyes.

So I HATE it when they try to bring me down & psych me out. So in order to prove them wrong I want to work 4x harder. But idk reading these threads kinda skyrocketed my anxiety even more.

How is the nursing experience going with you guys?

Azuteor · Apr 15, 2013

For the 1st time in my life something good finally happened to me. MCC is a 2 yr program & I see this as a HUGE stepping stone.
I'm so excited to the point I am telling my family. I just want support from them because they don't think my body is capable. I disagree. I get how it works because I've seen it with my own eyes.
So I HATE it when they try to bring me down & psych me out. So in order to prove them wrong I want to work 4x harder. But idk reading these threads kinda skyrocketed my anxiety even more.
How is the nursing experience going with you guys?

How are you doing now health wise? Doing well?

How are they trying to psych you out?

It seems that you are sure of yourself and you really want it! That's good! Bring that enthusiasm with you wherever you go. All of the nurses here will tell you that nursing school is no joke because it is hard and will require most of your time. It'll be worth it though.

My nursing experience was interesting! I came into the program thinking that I could do what I did before academically since I had pretty good grades, but nursing school is a whole different beast. Like I said before, you will be committing all of your time studying, working on your clinical skills, and writing care plans. You are required to adjust to a new lifestyle as well as thinking. The new nursing student has to learn how to think critically rather than get by just memorizing facts. If you need help, don't hesitate to go to your fellow students and faculty for assistance. Immediately ask for help! Nurses look out for each other.

I loved going to the hospital and working on the SNF floor. Once you start applying what you've learned, you will really start feeling like the nurse you aspire to be. I would say that I'm pretty confident in my clinical skills despite the first semester being similar to the CNA role. What sealed the deal for me in this career is when I built rapport with an elderly couple. I gained their trust. They thanked me, told me their life story, the wife held my hand and gave me several kisses on the forehead, and the husband shook my hand. All this happened before I clocked out for the day. It was great. You will have many experiences like this and it will be what keeps you going.

Snowangel7390 · Apr 15, 2013

My main priority is to have a career, so I guess my health is fine (??).. I don't have medical insurance anymore so I stopped going once all the bills added up to over 7,000 also in collection. Lol

I'm starting to get more and more excited. I paid the $545 deposit fee and now I'm just waiting for my orientation (May 23rd).

I'm sure my parents are happy for me but I think they are also worry I might not do as well as other people. I get compared a lot to other people.

Other than that they are lovely people.

I already have dreams of me doing rounds and the doctors are talking jibberish and I have no idea how to respond. I think that's one of my concern. Not understanding the doctors or nurses. Because as a patient I remember they would always use "doctor language" and I always felt stupid saying.. Idk what that word means Lol..

Have you ever had those moments when it seems like the Staff is talking in a different language?

Katsmeow · Apr 15, 2013

Wow thanks for sharing. So inspirational!!

Azuteor · Apr 16, 2013

My main priority is to have a career, so I guess my health is fine (??).. I don't have medical insurance anymore so I stopped going once all the bills added up to over 7,000 also in collection. Lol
I'm starting to get more and more excited. I paid the $545 deposit fee and now I'm just waiting for my orientation (May 23rd).
I'm sure my parents are happy for me but I think they are also worry I might not do as well as other people. I get compared a lot to other people.
Other than that they are lovely people.
I already have dreams of me doing rounds and the doctors are talking jibberish and I have no idea how to respond. I think that's one of my concern. Not understanding the doctors or nurses. Because as a patient I remember they would always use "doctor language" and I always felt stupid saying.. Idk what that word means Lol..
Have you ever had those moments when it seems like the Staff is talking in a different language?

I believe you can do it and I'm pretty sure the AN community does as well. I hope to see a graduation thread from you two years from now!

I get compared to other people too, but mainly with my childhood best friend. She's also in nursing school. You are only you and no one else, lol.

I've had several moments like that and I usually have to ask the clinician what they mean. Once you start learning your med-surg, pharm, patho, and health assessment, you'll be able to understand what it is the doctors and the nurses are telling you. Even better, you'll communicate with your caregivers easily.

Clinicians may tend to speak using abbreviations like MI for myocardial infarction, which is known as a heart attack. It speeds things up since there is not enough time to say entire words.

Damselfly · Apr 4, 2015

Hi, it's great you were able to overcome your obstacles and get accepted! You should be graduating this May, have you made it or were there any set backs?

allnurses Guide · Apr 4, 2015

Snowangel hasn't posted since Oct. of 13; hope all went well.