confused, disappointed....

kakamegamama · May 12, 2008

"The same woman who had previously told me that the program was being made more accessable to working adults is standing there telling us that students are not encouraged to work at all and if they must then it shouldn't be more than 24 hours per week. And on top of that she continues by telling us that evening clinicals are available but not gauranteed. That does me no good since I work during the day. "

I know that must have been very discouraging. Nursing school, with working more than 24 hours/week (and sometimes just working that much) is very difficult, although do-able. I would not recommend it (taught 10 years). The courses are so intense and require so much study (allow probably 3 hours/lecture a week for study & don't wait until the last minute!)that managing work, family, school & sleep are tough. However, as I said, do-able. As to evening clinical hours--nursing schools may offer them but if they don't have enough faculty to teach them they cannot insure every student who wants them can have them. Typically, students want or need--and those who need take priority over want the evening hours. You might have to negotiate w/other students, or something like that.

If you really want to be a nurse. Go for it. You are seeking information which is great & informing yourself. Don't give up because it can work.

Parade · May 12, 2008

I can only imagine how frustrated and discouraged you are right now, and a little betrayed as well. To be told one thing upfront and then another after they get your money or your hopes up is always a slap in the face.

My mom managed to get through nursing school from the ground up with no previous college while working full-time and caring for a 2 year old (me) all on her own, somehow, some way. She herself will tell you that it was the hardest thing she's ever done, but she made it through, and now she's doing what she feels she was meant to do with her life.

If this is what you truly want to do, don't let one two-faced woman ruin your spirit! Have you checked into pre-reqs online? They typically aren't much more expensive than it would be to attend them in-person, and if you're looking at a longer drive, the extra $15/credit hour would be worth the savings in gas.

Where there's a will, there's always a way.

3rdgenRN2B · May 12, 2008

Thanks for your words of encouragement but I think it's safe to say that I'm all out of will for now. Maybe it's for the best and I'm meant to do something else......

Someday_A_Nurse · May 14, 2008

I'm sorry you're feeling that way, and I can't tell you how to feel, but nurses are fighters! Don't give up, and don't make any decisions while you're feeling this way. While your situation is not a good one, get creative. Find a way to make it happen!

firecoins · May 14, 2008

You will figure out how to do it.

aloevera · May 14, 2008

I had a 3 year old son, my husband had just left me and I had to go to work....well I didn't want to stay at the dead end job so I applied to nursing school....I did have to change my work schedule around school but it was worth it....It was not easy, I remember crying a lot because I didn't have time with my son, or I wasn't ready for a test coming up, or I was just plain tired !!!! But I perservered, and I did it...My son is now in a great University, I am so proud of him and I am still working as a nurse, although I am supervisor, now....everything will work out...just take one day at a time and go for your dreams....

Marysjrfan · May 14, 2008

I read all of the responses before posting this, and they're right. Yo shouldn't give up. If you quit, then they (as in the faculty of the program) win. Do not let anyone discourage you or make you doubt yourself. I was always told that anything worth having is worth working for.

llg, PhD, RN · May 14, 2008

I read all of the responses before posting this, and they're right. Yo shouldn't give up. If you quit, then they (as in the faculty of the program) win. Do not let anyone discourage you or make you doubt yourself. I was always told that anything worth having is worth working for.

While I agree with you "anything worth having is worth working for" philsophy and applaud you for moving forward in spite of challenges ... I must caution you about taking the attitude that the faculty is an enemy to defeated before you even start the nursing program.

Nursing is hard work that involves taking a lot of responsibility for the well-being of others -- and nursing school is difficult and time-consuming. The school may well be trying to make it more feasible for people with families who want to work (as the first counselor told you) -- but that doesn't mean it will be easy. It may well be that no one lied to you or purposely mislead you. The first counselor may have been telling the truth that they are working on making it more feasible -- and the second faculty person may ALSO have been right that working full time is not recommended. Those 2 statements are not incompatble with each other. They are trying to be supportive of women with children -- but being honest that it is a really touch road.

By building the faculty up in your mind as "the enemy" or as the "bad guys" who are out to prevent you from being a nurse, you are setting yourself up for difficulties throughout your program. Please don't do that to yourself. Give yourself the best chance you can to succeed. Recognize that even a great program and a supportive faculty is going to be difficult and time consuming. The fact that they are telling you that up front is a good sign that they are being honest with you. Continue to gather information about the program requirements ... and if you think you can handle them, then enter the program with your eyes open and with full knowledge of the personal sacrifices you will have to make to succeed in the program. Give the faculty a chance to help you and teach you. Don't make them the villains because you chose a difficult life path.

3rdgenRN2B · May 14, 2008

Here's my problem though. I would love to continue with thepre reqs and think that I'll simply cross that bridge when I get to it. But what if once I get there, I find that the bridge is uncrossable. How will I feel then? I work full time not only to help pay the bills but bc my family is on my insurance. I can't lose that. I'm so afraid of not being able to acheive my dream that I'm not sure I want to risk the major disappointment I would feel if it was just out of my reach. This goes for lots of things I've considered. I wanted to be a teacher so badly but bagged the idea because I can't see anyway that I would be able to complete the student teaching portion since I can't not work. So I turned to nursing and now I'm facing almost the same roadblocks. I just don't know what to do. Even law school seems more possible than this...

Marysjrfan · May 15, 2008

While I agree with you "anything worth having is worth working for" philsophy and applaud you for moving forward in spite of challenges ... I must caution you about taking the attitude that the faculty is an enemy to defeated before you even start the nursing program.
Nursing is hard work that involves taking a lot of responsibility for the well-being of others -- and nursing school is difficult and time-consuming. The school may well be trying to make it more feasible for people with families who want to work (as the first counselor told you) -- but that doesn't mean it will be easy. It may well be that no one lied to you or purposely mislead you. The first counselor may have been telling the truth that they are working on making it more feasible -- and the second faculty person may ALSO have been right that working full time is not recommended. Those 2 statements are not incompatble with each other. They are trying to be supportive of women with children -- but being honest that it is a really touch road.
By building the faculty up in your mind as "the enemy" or as the "bad guys" who are out to prevent you from being a nurse, you are setting yourself up for difficulties throughout your program. Please don't do that to yourself. Give yourself the best chance you can to succeed. Recognize that even a great program and a supportive faculty is going to be difficult and time consuming. The fact that they are telling you that up front is a good sign that they are being honest with you. Continue to gather information about the program requirements ... and if you think you can handle them, then enter the program with your eyes open and with full knowledge of the personal sacrifices you will have to make to succeed in the program. Give the faculty a chance to help you and teach you. Don't make them the villains because you chose a difficult life path.

I did not post that to refer to the faculty as an enemy. I was only encouraging the original poster to not give up if this was something she really wants to do. My point is that if she gives up, then anyone who doubts her and anyone who is trrying to make it look hard wins. There is no way that I would let smeone convince me that I am wrong in wanting to go to Nursing school. People like that just make me try that much harder.

eccentricRN · May 15, 2008

Does your school offer the program parttime?? It'll take longer, but I know quite a few of my fellow classmates had to go that route in order to work fulltime... just a thought. I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose to do!!