new to the boards

[Alee-son]

Hi my name is Allison. i am a pre-nursing student. I am starting my pre-requisits and then i will have a one year wait untill i can get in the nursing program. I am looking for some advice or encouragement...Has anyone tried school(anatomy/physiology and chemistry total of 7 units),work (full time), kids(a son 3 yrs old and a daughter who is 9 months), husband, and i need 160 hours of volunteer time for my nursing program so i will start volunteering 4 hours a week in the L&D. I want to get in NICU but they don't allow volunteers. How did you balence everything?? Is there any tips or tricks of the trade?? Also I am unsure of the course to get my job(ie do i need a 2 or 4 year degree?? Any special classes or training besides a degree?? What is the difference between RN, LVN, LPN, and are their jobs very different?)HELP!!! :kiss Thanks...

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

I'm going to move this into the student nursing forum. :) Welcome to the board!

[manna, BSN, RN]

Welcome, and good luck!

There's a lot of us here who are busy like you, so you'll fit right in! LOL :)

I work full-time as an engineering clerk, go to school full or 3/4 time at night/online (finishing up pre-reqs), am separated (have been physically separated for a while since my husband has a job out of town), and have two boys - 5 and 2.

It's certainly tough, but doable. People comment often on my tenaicty. I say all it takes is wanting something bad enough.... also, you can tolerate ANYTHING for a limited period of time. So while school/work/kids/house may be tough for now, it'll pay off in the end. I just have to keep reminding myself of that. :)

Oh, good time management and a supportive family helps alot too!