Your Sacrifices for nursing school?

hrjqtpie · Oct 15, 2003

You know what, your not alone with the stress. Just think, it could be worse! I hope your health is doing ok from your surgery.

I know all about stress. I'm halfway through my first semester of a 2 year nursing program, and it's tough. 4 nights a week, endless hours of studying, no more life outside of school...but it's worth it. I only have 9 more weeks of this semester, then I only have 3 semesters! that's really only about 14 more months or so. I also work full time, 9-5 monday through friday. I'm also a single mother, my daughter is only 3 and doesn't understand why mommy can't play right now. It's very hard, but in order for me to make a better life for us, I need to do this right now. Try not to focus so much on the negative things, and try to be grateful for what you have and what you are working so hard to get. you will be amazed at how much inner strength you have when a challenge gets put in your path. Good luck on your journey!

KimRN03 · Oct 15, 2003

I hear ya about the sacrafices. I work too as a CNA in a Level 1 Trauma center and work nights. I work one weekend and have clinicals the other weekend, so I have not had a weekend off in 3 years! I go to school M-T-TH-Sa-Su, so my husband said "See ya in December when you graduate!" I know it seems like a sacrafice, but hang it there, it will pay off big time in the end! The time will go by fast. Sometimes it is difficult to handle all of the family get togethers that you can't go to. That is the hardest thing for me to say no to, it's like if you aren't in Nursing school you don't understand what it's like. Hang in there, just think about where you want to be in the future!

Chris0114 · Oct 15, 2003

Hello - I really feel for you - you have a lot of stresses right now with schooling, work, money and family issues. I just wanted to send you a quick note telling you to hang in there and keep up with your program. Kids can wait - you are still very young!!!! Believe me, once you start having children, everything becomes so much harder. Wait until you are done with your nursing program, then when you are working full-time, start your family & then you can schedule your shifts around when you need to be home for the kid(s). You'll be making much more $$ and done with school, so those two stressors will be gone.

My story is that I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter and want to go back to school for a BSN. I currently have Bachelor of Science in Accounting and really want to get out of this field and become an RN. I am just starting with my pre-reqs. and will start the BSN program in Sept. '04. I love my daughter more than words can say, but I really wish I would have waited until I finished this program before I had her. We'd like to have another child, but I will have to put that off until I am finished (and I'm going to be 34 in January!) It hurts me to sacrifice like this right now, especially since I wanted my kids to be close in age, but I can't work, go to school, study and take care of two kids at the same time. I know others can make it work, but I know my own limitations.

Bottom line is, since you don't have children now, just wait until you feel a little more in control of everything. You just have to love the parents whining about wanting to be grandparents. Are they planning on helping out financially and helping to raise the child? If not, tell them to mind their own business.

This turned out to be more than just a short note.

Stepping off my soapbox now...............

Good luck - I really admire what you are doing!

Carolanne · Oct 16, 2003

Listen to your own heart. Don't let your in laws pressure you into something you're not ready for yet just to give them happiness. I know they can lay the guilt on thick, but don't give into it. 28 is VERY young, you have plenty of time. Concentrate on your task at hand, finish school, and most importantly, take care of your health following your surgery that you had. Try to explain to others that you want to finish your education and have a secure well paying job before you start your family. Financial security is one of the best gifts you can give your child before it's even born!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 16, 2003

Social life, sleep, money, sanity.....

Vailgang · Oct 16, 2003

I am so glad that I read this post because I too can relate. I can't wait to get done so that I can enjoy my family again. I feel like I have missed out on so much. I am an LPN and hopefully will be an RN in December 2004. I have been working on getting my degree since the summer of 2000. I work full-time and most of the time over 40 hours. I have five children but one is in college. My husband has been great helping but my kids and husband are tired of me being like an abscent parent. I too will be glad when this journey is complete. I just found out today that the hospital may not let me stay at the doctor's office that I have worked at for 3 years. The doctors have always told me that I could stay but the hospital disagrees. I have to talk to them and hopefully I will get to stay. I told the hospital it is terrible that I am educating myself out of a job. I know that it will all work out but just more stress to deal with. Good Luck everyone and in no time we will be done and rejoicing. Jill

Rena RN 2003, RN · Oct 16, 2003

1. social life - i had none. no dinners out with friends, no movies, no spontaneous trips anywhere, no social stuff with the kids (i.e. soccer games, baseball games, zoo trips, amusement parks, etc.)

2. no money - no money for...."good" groceries, that shirt that i wanted that just went on sale, little things. barely enough money for scrubs, books, and sitters. the sitter actually had to wait many times. thank god for her being so easy on me.

3. stress - we had no health insurance and 2 children = stress. i tried to work a few days here and there but bottom line is i wanted to get through school = stress. house a mess because of studying = stress. all the things that goes with being mom = stress. all the things that goes with being wife = stress.

4. "other" = then there are the things that fall into many categories. sleep = gone = stress. the guilt that hounded me because of the time i was gone plus the time i needed to study was horrendous. so i would wait until the kids were asleep to study. that kept me up til 2-3 a.m. all that = stress.

so what now?

i've graduated. i have the job that i love working in ER. i make a decent amount of money so that we can do little things. i buy the "extravagant" groceries like fresh fruit and veggies and good cuts of meat. :chuckle we have bills and we pay them ontime instead of robbing peter to pay paul. we have health insurance so that i'm not scared witless worrying if someone is going to get ill and how we will pay for it.

hang in there reesa, it's all worth it. but you have to stand up for yourself or you'll make yourself crazy. let everyone know what your #1 priority is and keep it that way. then, don't sweat the petty stuff.

good luck. :)

TinyNurse, RN · Oct 16, 2003

I just graduated in June........ oh the sacrifices suck really bad, but the real world job makes it all worth it!!!!! trust me.......... keep on going girl, you'll make it!!!!

xoxo

Jen

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2003

Although, mine are not "important" sacrafices, I've found that i'm sacrificing a clean & tidy house, extra time playing games with the kids, (thank goodness for tele-tubbies a.k.a my in-house babysitter) & chatting with my best girl friend on the phone for hours on end.

I am upping my credits winter term, so i know i'll be giving up my t.v time, esp , Young & Restless & Bold and the Beautiful! :eek: I've been exposed to Y&R since i was born, and have watched B&B, since it aired . Meeting my husband for for lunch, going with him on his business trips ect.

As for real sacrafices, i feel very lucky that i don't have to give up anything more than my life's little pleasures, but i know that it could all change in an instant.

p.s Reesa, since you don't already have kids, i wait until you get through school. I can't imagine being pg and having a baby during school. It would be an extrememly difficult responsibility.

Good luck every one and Reesa 23!

LilRedRN1973 · Oct 16, 2003

I agree....we have a young woman in our program who is 6 months pregnant. She will be giving birth as the second semester gets underway. I have no idea how she will balance it all!!!! I have 2 kids and am a full time nursing student and I have trouble finding extra time for things. And mine are 4 and 7, old enough to do things for themselves!!!! Imagine having a baby or toddler???? Nope, nuh-uh...not me.

AmyLiz · Oct 16, 2003

Originally posted by LPN2Be2004
Social life, sleep, money, sanity.....

Yep, that about sums it up! :cool: