I'm feeling overwhelmed!~

julwh · May 26, 2009

I can feel your pain! I was in the same boat until January when I got LAID-OFF! So now I am just biting the bullet, cashing in my retirement plan to pay my mortgage for the next 2 years and am planning on starting nursing school this summer full-time. It will be hard but worth it.

Hang in there and keep thinking of the end result!

CBsMommy · May 26, 2009

Oh, yes. I can feel your pain and I'm sure there are a lot of people on this board that can say the same. You are not alone!

I have been completing pre-reqs for a 2-year degree for the last six years while working in a full time corporate mortgage job that I HATE (and yes, I know that's a strong word) and being a single Mommy to my two year old little man. I still don't know whether I will be accepted to Fall 09 or Spring 10 yet (letters are on their way - eventually).

All I know is that this will be well worth it! I got a taste of the nursing world from my CNA class and it just left me wanting more! I can't wait until the day that I can walk into my boss' office and sing at the top of my lungs that I quit, not only that I quit, but that I will never have to do this AWFUL JOB AGAIN! That thought in itself, just keeps pushing me on! Good luck!!!

missybear88 · May 26, 2009

I know how you feel, and I'm sure so many other people out there can relate too. It sucks, the pre-req's alone can take FOREVER if you're working FT. I mean, unless you do both FT school and work, which is doable but extremely difficult. My job is a high-stress one, but it pays well and in this crappy economy I'm grateful I at least have a job. But the added stress does not make it any easier.

Hang in there, I too have another year's worth of prereq's and am extremely anxious. But time flies, and before you know it you'll have your degree and RN license in hand!! :)

hopefulinFairbanks · May 26, 2009

I feel your pain too! I just realized what I need to do to feel acomplished professionally, and the nursing switch is going to cost us financially and as a family. I am quiting my job this week, going to school full time this fall and spring to finish pre req's, and moving 1000's of miles away to start nursing school next fall. My family will be divided for a year, I with the baby and my husband with our older two kids (there are no nursing programs here in Alaska that offer ABSN). Just so that we can fufill this dream/goal/exciting new career for our family. But I am excited to start the journey!

Kyla.ann · May 26, 2009

I feel your pain too! I just realized what I need to do to feel acomplished professionally, and the nursing switch is going to cost us financilly and as a family. I am quiting my job this week, going to school full time this fall and spring to finish pre req's, and moving 1000's of miles away to start nursing school next fall. My family will be divided for a year, I with the baby and my husband with our older two kids (there are no nursing programs here in Alaska that offer ABSN). Just so that we can fufill this dream/goal/exciting new career for our family. But I am excited to start the journey!

WOW! You go girl! I am struggling just trying to figure out how to work out going to school, working, and taking care of my family. I couldn't imagine moving away from them. Especially for that long. Good luck to you!

As for feeling overwhelmed, yes, I do. And the sad thing is I haven't even started yet. I keep looking down the road and seeing all the obstacles that are in the way and wondering how I am going to get over them and how long it is going to take me to get to the end. I do know though, that this is what I want. So no matter how hard it may seem at the time, or how endless it looks at the moment. I am still going to keep trucking through and get to the end.

As hard as it looks, we just have to take it one step at a time and know that we will eventually get there. When we do, we can look back and realize how far we came and how much further we have left to go.

dallasga123 · May 26, 2009

Sorry to hear you story. I don't know if this can help, but you can take your pre-req's at Technical colleges and save yourself some money and then transfer to a bigger university or college for your degree. It's the best of both worlds. You could save money on your remaining classes and in the end have the degree w/the university stamp on it.

dddduncan · May 26, 2009

You guys are AMAZING!!!! Thank you for your support and I will continue to return to this post for encouragement when I need.

I guess I didn't realize how HARD Nursing is-- and I never took into account how little credit Nurses get for the amount of work required to get them in the door.

I have a lot to be grateful for.

I was told that the Pre-Nursing classes are what determines who is serious and who isn't.

Hang in there guys.

I foresee this site being such a blessing to me in the years to come!

rholman · May 26, 2009

Absolutely feel your pain!

I also work in the corp world, decent pay and benefits and attending school part time. I have been taking 2 classes a semester for the last year. This is my 4th semester already and I definately feel like I will never get to the end of the tunnel. However, it seems like yesterday when I started and can't believe I have completed 6 classes already. 6 more to go and I will be done with pre-reqs spring of 2010, then I can apply to NS and leave this boring dead end job.

In the beginning I really focused on the finish line and I was miserable. Now I try to just focus on each semester at a time and I don't get so overwhelmed and discouraged. Time really does go by quickly, before you know it, we'll be graduating from NS, and posting on the new grad forum about how scared we are starting our first day on the new job. :smokin:

Keep on trucking!

mafornow7 · May 26, 2009

I agree...I think that the "university" and even community colleges make it so difficult for the average working adult to take all the pre/co requisite classes required, and then HOPE they get chosen, that it weeds out wonderful would be nurses...talk about obstacals-my local college won't even consider someone for the LPN program unless you take all classes for the RN program first. One reason? THe college receives substantial funding from the government for RN studies, and only limited funding for LPN's. I know this frustration, and am currently stuck in the certification that I meant to be a stepping stone to nursing. I am a medical assistant that does EVERY task a LPN does, without the pay or the title. I feel your pain, and hope that more schools bring better opportunities for working professionals with real goals.

SanDiegoRN2be · May 27, 2009

I feel your pain as does everyone else! As nurses, we will be the back bone of the medical field and it's the hard work and dedication now that will pave the road for brighter futures not only for ourselves but for our families.

I too work, not in the corporate world but in the food and beverage industry. I'm a bartender/cocktailer and server and I go to school full time JUST to FINISH the darn pre-reqs. On-top of that I'm planning my August wedding. So to say that I'm busy is an understatement but I wouldn't change it for anything.

It's difficult for a reason, I mean...we're going to be in charge of patients lives...and the outcome of their lives....I truly believe the pre-reqs are as difficult as they are in order to ween out the bad apples. I think that the actual nursing school itself will be much more demanding than just theory...but the application will be the true test. And I'm sure that if a person has worked his or her way through school while being a student either part-time/full-time then at least you'll know how to manage your time and multi-task.

Keep your head up. The road makes us ready for the actual climb.

MotivatedOne · May 27, 2009

I can totally relate. I was feeling the same way not even a month ago. Then I had a revelation and decided to Let go and let God! I had been interested in nursing since 2006 but didn't apply to an accelerated BSN program until 2008 to start Spring 09 seeing as how I had to take a few pre reqs first. I was not accepted for whatever reason. Then I didn't have a back up plan so I ended up missing the application deadlines for the community colleges in the area and I ended up having to wait to be accepted for Fall 09 admission. I applied to two local CC's only to not even be considered by one because of a low teas score and wait listed by the other. I went ahead and turned in all support documents to the school that wait listed me and not even 2 weeks after the deadline for the support documents I was called and told that my alternate number came up and I was accepted if I still wanted a spot.

I already owe a little under $40,000 in loans from my first undergrad degree and my pre req's. Because I already have a degree I can't get grants and I've already reached my max in loans for an undergrad degree. So basically I have to pay my tuition myself if I don't get any scholarships. With my credit being beyond terrible, I can't get any personal loans.

I work as an NA making a relatively decent amount and thankfully the hospital I work for has a tuition reimbursement program but unfortunately it's only 50% but every little bit helps. Thankfully the school I'm attending has a payment plan. I just have to pay 50% upfront and the other half throughout the semester. Not too bad considering tution is $43 per credit hour.

I would suggest taking your prereqs at a community college...seriously it's so much more cheaper and you learn the same information.

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck

Take care,

Tiff