Im Seriously Considering Asn Degree, Advice?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2008

Welcome to Allnurses! Thanks for taking the time to post. Good luck in your journey.

Don't judge your current commitment to learning based on your high school experience. Most of what you're feeling is indeed insecurity. Most math anxiety, is indeed just that....anxiety. People buy into the self-concept "I'm no good in math..." and don't get past that.

You can do this!

(btw, we prefer that you don't type in all caps. See Terms of Service. Many people consider it "shouting" in cybertalk, plus it's easier to read if you type normally.)

Miss Mab · Feb 8, 2008

Good morning,

I just wanted to touch on your fears as a returning student in regard to the math and science pr-reqs.

I went back for a second degree in nursing after being out of school 10+ years. Back in the day, I was really uninterested in math and was pretty much bored throughout school. I remember getting a lot of those "not working to potential" comments on my report cards. Oh well.

Anyway, when I started the pre-reqs, what I found amazing was because I was actually there for a reason that I wanted (unlike undergrad where I went 'cause that's just what everyone did and you were supposed to) I actually enjoyed being there and surprisingly got all A's(which by the way I desperately needed because my previous GPA was subpar from boredom)! Even in the Statistics which I really could not believe.

I don't know, maybe because we're older now, maybe because there is a specific goal in mind? For whatever reason, I had many of the same fears as you and I just wanted to tell you that it's do-able.

Good luck!

PS. Another big shocker for me this time around was finding if you actually WENT to class the grades came much easier. Who knew?

wantobeanightengale · Feb 8, 2008

Thanks Tweety,

Sorry about the caps. I know I shouldn't compare myself to my H.S. years, it's just college is so unfamiliar to me. I know it's just plan old fear which I will overcome.

Thank you, you've boosted my confidence.

wantobeanightengale · Feb 8, 2008

Hey Miss Mab,

Thank you so much for your encouraging message, you made me cry. I have the similar story with taking college courses. But I think your right. When you want it or maybe it's age, I know another issue that's pushing me is I feel I have to. The pressure on my husband to be the sole provider makes me want to do it even more. I'm now going to be 34 and I feel like I need to be thinking about saving for retirement and having good benefits too. Thank you so much for your encouraging words and wisdom, you have helped tremendously. :1luvu: Can I add you to my buddy list?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2008

Thanks Tweety,
Sorry about the caps. I know I shouldn't compare myself to my H.S. years, it's just college is so unfamiliar to me. I know it's just plan old fear which I will overcome.
Thank you, you've boosted my confidence.

I know exactly what you're feeling. It's hard to let go of old adolescent fears. Some of them stay with us for a lifetime. It doesn't take much to bring me back to the old insecure kid I was back then. You will have those moments too. With willpower and an eye on the prize you'll get through it.

tammy777 · Feb 11, 2008

Hi there,

I was 29 when I started college to become a nurse. I've been at it for 3.5 years now and in June I'll graduate with my BSN... I can't believe I'm almost done now, it's gone by so fast. The scariest part is making that leap of faith and actually starting school. I had been out of high school for 10+ years too, had no college experience, had a pretty decent job (which I hated), owned a house... blah, blah, blah... When I decided to actually go for it, my husband and I quit our jobs, sold our house and moved from CA to WA so that I could follow my heart & go to school... Was it worth it? YES! Was it hard? YES, So hard that if I knew how hard it would really be I probably wouldn't have done it (not the school work, but I found out I was pregnant with my 3rd child a week before school started... talk about stressful... so dealing with child care has probably been the hardest part for me). Anyway, I didn't consider myself good at science or math either, but you get through it... There aren't too many math & science classes to get through and they become a nothing but a memory real quick... The time flies by, really... So, if it's your dream to become a nurse, GO FOR IT!! My philosophy was, in 4 years I could fulfill my dream and be working as a nuse, or be working at the job I hated wondering what it would have been like to be a nurse. I would rather try and fail, than not try at all... You CAN do it, if you want it!! GOOD LUCK!! :nurse:

wantobeanightengale · Feb 12, 2008

Thanks Tammy777,

It's been so reassuring to hear that other people have felt or are feeling the same way I am feeling. I suppose that's what human nature is all about.....relating. I am certain I am going to just take the plunge and do it. If I think to much about it I'll change my mind and find an excuse. My husband recently went through a job change and is having a difficult time with feeling like he's not good enough and hear I am encouraging him to keep going, it's only fears that play with your mind but just push through them. I'm thinking.....o.k then you do it. Congrats on graduating and persevering. It is going to be such a great achievement when you take your deserving walk to grab that paper with your name and bachelors degree in nursing on it and all with a family.:yelclap: I want that to be me too. Thanks so much for sharing your story and you words of encouragement, the advice I've gotten so far, along with reading other peoples stories has gotten me to the next level which is for the enrolling for the spring semester CRN course. It's one of the first steps before applying for the nursing program. Thank you! Can I add you to my buddy list?

wantobeanightengale · Feb 12, 2008

Thanks again Tweety,

So many of us act tough, when really we are all the same. It's so good to hear I'm not the only one that carries my fears and failures of childhood with me. I know that's so much which was holding me back. But I am going to keep my eye on the prize and just do it. If I fail..... so what. It will just make me try harder. Thank you. How do you like the Trauma life? I usually watch Trauma in the E.R. or Mystery Diagnosis on T.V. Can I add you to my buddy list?:loveya: