Somebody push me down the right road!

CarVsTree · Nov 14, 2003

I don't want to sound like I'm bashing you dh, but why on earth is it a problem for you to be at school 2 nights a week. Are you also working? How many children do you have? How old are they? Has he seemed supportive up until now?

I will be going to school 2 nights/week, also 3 days (just one class, not all day) and my clinicals are 7-3 EOW. We know it won't be easy, and we're both sure we'll have some moments, but we all know we can do it. BTW, I'm Mom of a 2 year old. I know other mom's have more on their plate.

I don't think the workload of Nursing and a Science is too much unless you have a whole lot of other stuff on your plate.

I would try to press on now, rather than wait. But, you're going to need your family's support to do this. Try to get him on board.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2003

When did that happen? I'm taking micro right now. The nursing syllabus says nothing about taking micro as a co-requisite. There's another incoming Nursing I student in my micro class. I hate to tell you but I think you got some bogus information. If that were true, when I registered, my schedule would have not allowed me to save it. Every other incoming student I know has also either taken micro already, or is taking it now. Micro is a pretty time-demanding course. It doesn't make sense why anyone would recommend it as a co-requisite. To give you some idea of what my micro class is like( I have Johnson), besides the lecture, there are group assignments with completion of every unit and preparation of concept maps with each unit. She also requires a flow chart of the day's lab experiments before we can even get into the classroom and there are bi-weekly quizzes. Our final exam is a group presentation on a particular microbe. The material didn't get too complicated for me until we got to the immunology unit a couple weeks ago. After this unit, it gets easier again.

Nursing school is going to require an adjustment by your family, no matter what. Be lovingly clear about what's expected of them toward you, and let them know what they can reasonably expect of you. What you are doing will benefit the whole family. The time will go by quickly.

On the other hand, it might be better for you to take micro and pharmacology in the Spring and have those out of the way. They are both courses that, in their own rights, will take up a great deal of time. It has been done before, but there will be a good deal of sacrifice to take pharm and micro together with nursing I. You are going to need your family to be very understanding and supportive. They basically have to say "see you in 16 weeks", and be fairly ok with it. So do you.

Altra, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2003

EyesForward, from your other posts it's clear you're a serious student - I think you'll do just fine.

It's not for me to say exactly what the issue is with your being in class an extra evening each week, but unless I'm missing something, it just doesn't seem like it should be that big a deal. I'm assuming that your nursing course is similar to mine and others, including a varying/rotating clinical schedule, so in terms of juggling family responsibilities I would think that THAT would be an issue before the micro class.

Since you asked for input, I'll insert my two cents in (in a firm, but polite voice ) and say that I think it would be detrimental to lose your place in the nursing program now, after sweating out so much to get in.

Good luck,

Leigh

rpbear · Nov 14, 2003

You can do it!!!

My first semester of nursing school I took my nursing classes (one lecture, on on campus lab class and clinicals), A&P II, A&P II lab, and math of dosage, my second semester I took nursing classes (same as 1st sem.), physical assessment, and psychology. Third semester - nursing classes (same), english, pharmocology, and developmental psych. Foursth semester luckily I only have nursing classes! It can be done, you will be tired but take one week at a time and you will do it.

I also worked 1st and 2nd semesters, I have a child in elementary school, and a husband in the military (works a lot). I also have no grade lower than a B-.

Keep telling yourself that you can do it!!! Tell hubby that he needs to chill out, it is not forever. You will make it!

Molly:D

EyesForward · Nov 14, 2003

Oh wow, thank you everybody for your candid and well received feedback. I hadn't had a moment of hesitation from the start, until now, but I've gotten a lot of encouragement today.

Sue, my daughter is 12, my son is 4, and my other child is 36. :rolleyes: My dh got quite used to my handling everything when I quit work to stay home when our son was born, and I mean everything. After our boy started pre-k I wanted to go back to school, and my husband was supportive right until it became official a few weeks ago. I think he secretly worries I'll bolt once I take off the student pin, and replace it with one saying R.N. (We've had our issues, but I have no such plan.) I asked him last night if he thought I was kidding the whole last year during pre-req's! I do work, but per-diem, which should work out well over the next two years.

He and I will have a lot of time to chat this week, as we are taking our first vacation since our son was born, and are going on a cruise! I hope to do as suggested, and persuade him to stay supportive, and my worries about taking Micro at the same time are my own problem.

Kitty, you can apply and get accepted to the program without Micro, but must complete it before or during the first semester. I thought I could take over the summer of 2004, but they say it must be this spring.

Take care, everybody.

Nurse-o-Matic · Nov 14, 2003

As far as time constraints, nursing school doesn't get any easier. There are always clinics that run late, papers to complete, and the notorious time-gobbling care plans. Starting off with Micro evening classes is only the beginning...

Your vacation will be a great time for you and your hubby to communicate about the whole nursing school commitment. Remind him again (gently) about what completing the program means to you and get his promise for support now. Be honest and let him know you will be busy, but that you'll try to be as efficient as possible to ensure time and energy are left for family.

Good luck and have a wonderful vacation. Let us know how everything works out. :cool:

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2003

Oops Sorry Wendy. I thought you meant this past summer, not next summer. I hope you continue on. Take Ramsammay or Konopacki for micro. Less work than Johnson.

EyesForward · Nov 14, 2003

Whew, I'm so glad you said that, I registered for Konapacki! I'd heard a lot from A&P classmates about the other, and tried to avoid her.

BTW, I bought two pairs of uniform pants today, an outward expression of an ongoing inward commitment.

nurse2be in ny · Nov 14, 2003

Go for it, Wendy! You can do it.:)

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2003

When the spirit is willing, everything else follows. Two pairs of see-through cafeterial lady pants... oh you're committed now for sure.

EyesForward · Nov 14, 2003

:chuckle "Cafeteria Pants"

Have you seen that sweater? Blech! Even my mother wouldn't wear it!