advice for soon-entering student

bigeyes4 · Oct 9, 2011

Thanks for your response! I am a little older than you, but I still now no longer feel odd. I'm looking forward to this adventure.

nichole_byr78 · Oct 9, 2011

I would say trust your instinstics and during clinicals always put your patients first, you'll never go wrong!

SC APRN, DNP, APRN, NP · Oct 9, 2011

Hello neighbor, my daughter starts college next year. I started my ADN program this semester. I'm not having any trouble with the school work. Ive wanted this for so long and I know how to discipline myself stay ahead of the reading and assignments. I don't read the chapters word for word. I made lot of frozen meals. I set aside some time for family and friends it helps with the stress. Life experiences have helped and I can relate to my patients most have been about my age. About 1/3 of my class is over 40, but during class we're one cohesive group with the same goal. If you work cut back you hours if possible. I'm doing 32 a week and trying to find a way to drop to 28 starting next semester. I started studying the math before school started I found that I didn't have much time after classes started so that was a huge help. I only preread vital signs and topics I knew would be in NUR 101. A clean organized house and quiet study area relax before the program starts. It's has been a blast so far, enjoy and know you are not alone in this journey.

SC APRN, DNP, APRN, NP · Oct 9, 2011

Oh and this website helped so much

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Oct 9, 2011

Speaking as a middle-aged professor (who teaches a lot of middle aged wife/moms):

Have a sit down with your family, now and again when you begin. They need to understand that your role in the house will NEED to change while you are in school. That you will not be available in the capacity that you always have been. If you were a SAHM, this is going to be a huge adjustment for you. The last thing you need is to come home to a dirty house and only start cooking dinner! Make a schedule, based on your school schedule. If you have a late lecture/clinical day, assign hubby or one of the kids to dinner that night. (if they want to do take-out, that's their choice). Teach them how to use the crock-pot (I did with my hubby). It's incredible easy (the internet is full of recipes, you just drop the stuff in, turn it on and walk away for a few hours).

Whatever you do, do NOT fall into the trap of trying to do everything you've done all these years. And don't just put your self off duty before a test; you don't want to be one who crams. You need to pace yourself the whole way through (b/c God forbind you have a family issue the night before the exam, you need to know that you can still do ok on the exam based on the studying you've done already).

I am assuming you're doing this now, for a reason (b/c your kids are older). Don' feel one bit guilty for taking 'Me time' to enhance your life. Remember, it's enhancing everyone's lives. A few years fo sacrifice will pay off for everyone in the end. Hopefully, hubby was on board with this in the first place. Remind him of this.

bigeyes4 · Oct 9, 2011

Thank you so much, once again, everyone. You've all been so encouraging and affirming!! I'm ready to take the plunge! more later.

skol · Oct 9, 2011

This thread is very helpful to me, so thanks to all. I really want to be a Forensic Nurse, but I am scared out of my mind to take the first step and sign up for RN courses. I just turned 39, have an 8-year-old son with my husband, whose schedule has to be "worked around", since he is a manager at his job.

I am afraid that the reality of hours and attention devoted to achieving my goal will not go over very well with the men in my life. Also, the fear that I will not even be able to get a job as a new RN upon graduating makes me nervous. Someone please give me some help!