Are these legitimate concerns, or am I psyching myself out?

mom_coach_nurse, LPN · Jun 8, 2012

Holy cow, I had paragraph breaks and theyre gone. This'll be hard to read :-/

Thujone · Jun 8, 2012

1. Having short nails is actually an advantage. Longer nails increases the chances of bacteria being caught under them and being spread to patients. In fact, I am nearly certain that most nursing schools require short nails.

2. I posted a how-to on fractions on youtube (TEAS Review: Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying and Dividing Fractions - YouTube) scan youtube for videos on fractions/percentages, there are tons of them with plenty of examples.

3. As long as your tattoos are not offensive, they most likely won't be a problem. Most schools have long sleeve under shirts that students can wear for cases like this anyway.

4. Don't allow your self to fail. Just study until you have all material memorized/learned, and you WILL be successful!

5. Nursing jobs are out there. Your dream nursing job may not be immediately available, but if you can fight in the trenches, so to speak, until it is then you will get one.

P.S: Holy wall-of-text :-P.

mom_coach_nurse, LPN · Jun 8, 2012

Thanks for replying. I can't figure out how to get paragraph breaks.

I meant to clarify that I am trying to get my nails stronger, not longer :) I know it's not acceptable in school and work.

My editing didn't work :-/

hoplite07 · Jun 8, 2012

Lots of concerns, but sounds like this is something you are passionate about.

I think your biggest real obstacle is your math skills. However, I wouldn't worry here. I'd just study. If you can teach yourself Algebra then you can certainly teach yourself to handle fractions and percents! Note that these are two very similar areas - so once you get one down then you will probably get the other too!

Everline · Jun 8, 2012

I felt bad because I found your post hard to read without paragraph breaks.

I will say this, math is my weak point. But what works is practice. Just practice, practice, practice with many different problems. There are so many internet resources. Don't let math hold you back.

mom_coach_nurse, LPN · Jun 9, 2012

Thank you :)

Stephalump · Jun 9, 2012

If you're on a phone/iPad, go back and edit your posts after sending. My iPhone won't use paragraphs until I re-edit.

I sort of skimmed because of the word-wall effect , but I wouldn't worry about tattoos. Most professional careers discourage visible body art, so there's nowhere for you to run. Find a way to cover them. Your nails will be fine, I'm sure.

Check with your state's BON. In Texas, you can file for a background check at any time - even of you aren't in a nursing program yet. You could always have a check run and see if you clear easily if that's the case for you.

I'm not a big math person, and the way people were talking about it, I was prepared for my brain to explode. Then, after learning it and some practice, I found myself thinking, "This can't be all of it. There has to be more!". It's all about practice. Driving a car is pretty complicated at first, too, but eventually it's like second nature.

If I were you, I'd take a CNA course. You seem to have a lot of doubts, and confidence is what is going to get you into NS, get your through NS, and keep you in the field. Being a CNA can teach you some basic skills and up your confidence I the field.

Then I'd commit to taking an A&P class. It's a lot of work, and I think how you do in the course and how much you enjoy it will be a great gauge for you to decide if you want to move forward.

grownuprosie · Jun 9, 2012

Learning on your own does not appear to be working in this case. You taught yourself to type, and that is great. However, typing is a motor skill. Math is mental skill. You might do well with someone guiding you through it. You said that 18,000 in tuition is not an issue, so why not take a math class? At my school anyway, taking and passing algebra was required or testing into a higher math to get into BIO and CHEM (Prerequisites for nursing). I agree with a previous poster that confidence is a must have, cannot do without trait for nursing school. Work on building up these tools in your toolbox. Accept the fact that you cannot teach yourself everything you need to know to get into nursing school. It does not reflect poorly on you to admit that.

allnurses Guide · Jun 9, 2012

Fractions

Percents

Ratios

It's all division and it took me 35 years to figure that out.

lol

I no longer fear math and have gone on to teach myself so much more... and enjoy it.

Sometimes, it's just a matter of finally having something shown to you... or finally seeing something... in just the right way.

cally527, RN · Jun 9, 2012

I'm not a big math person, and the way people were talking about it, I was prepared for my brain to explode. Then, after learning it and some practice, I found myself thinking, "This can't be all of it. There has to be more!". It's all about practice. Driving a car is pretty complicated at first, too, but eventually it's like second nature.
If I were you, I'd take a CNA course. You seem to have a lot of doubts, and confidence is what is going to get you into NS, get your through NS, and keep you in the field. Being a CNA can teach you some basic skills and up your confidence I the field.

What Stephalump said!

Math is not an easy subject to learn by yourself. You have not used the math you know in 20 years, so you should not be so hard on yourself.

If you do not mind my asking, why were you taking the TABE? Was it for placement in pre-req classes, or does your school use it as the Nursing Entrance exam? If it was for the former reason, then I would suggest that you not retake the test, but take the math class itself. (If it was the Nursing entrance exam, I would suggest that you take some pre-req's before you apply. Going back to school after 20 years can be a bit of a culture shock and you should get a few classes under your belt first.)

As for everything else, making changes your life can be scary. I think that you should do what will make you happy! Life is too short to live it by other people's standards. If you want to be a nurse, then figure out the steps you need to take to get there. Once you have a plan, take step 1. Then 2, 3, 4..... until you get where you need to be. You may have to revise your plan once or several times. You may make it on your first try. As long as you keep fighting for what you want, I can guarantee your kids will be proud of you.

Good luck!!!!

edmia, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2012

Hi!

So first off - Relax.

Second: tattoos can be covered up with long sleeve T-shirts under your scrubs, something you'll want to wear even if you don't have body art.

Third: short nails are best and they will get stronger by the time you graduate.

Fourth: your personal health history is private and protected for a reason. No need to disclose your one night psych history! That's private and more people than you know have psych issues.

Fifth: victims of sexual assault are kept confidential in the legal system for a reason. That should not show up in any background check.

And lastly, Relax! You will do great on your math test and as you get back into the groove of studying, these worries will fade.

I started this career in my 30s also and we are much better prepared for it than someone fresh out of HS.