Can I Do This!!!

PurrRN · Nov 23, 2006

The first thing I want to say is that you are the only person who knows what you can and cannot do. If you have a desire to go to college I say try, try, try. Go to the college and talk to a counselor....find out what pre-req's you need. You may need to do refresher classes first but sometimes people (like me) have to do that. Get someone in financial aid to tell you what to fill out so that you can get finanacial aid for yourself. Talk to them about what types of social services may be able to help you out with day care issues. If you have to work because you are the sole earner, remember that classes can be taken 1-2 at a time or half time. Look into on-line classes to see if that will work for you (must be very organized and on top of yourself homework wise). It's HARD to juggle and there is definitely sacrifice, but lots of us do it. I started my journey (pre-req's) to nursing school in 2001 but could only do 2 classes a semester because of very small children, completed a remedial chem class while pregnant with my third in 2002(gave birth on Thursday, back to class on Tuesday). I am proud to say that I am now completing my first semester of nursing school this year. My point is that if you want it bad enough YOU CAN DO IT, however, it may not be as fast as you want it to be, or as fast as someone else can do it, but who cares if in the end you accomplish what you set out to do. That being said, the one thing that bothered me about your post was your saying that you have to leave your boys home alone to work. I really don't know what to say. For their safety, you need to do whatever you have to, to have adequate care for them. Children come first, period. Doesn't matter if they interfere with your plans or not. If going to school means that they are going to be left "alone" more, then you need to wait to go to school until you have some sort of plan in place. Listen, you are not going to care about a degree you earned, if social services comes and takes your kids away from you. I wish you the very best!!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2006

A minimum wage earner single mother of two can get all sorts of financial aid.

If you are willing to jump through hoops and work your butt off then you definately can do it.

Good luck.

Irene joy · Nov 24, 2006

Yes, please don't give up on this. Yes there is a lot of help for mothers in your situation, don't feel bad about using it, lots of paperwork but worth it. Do as many on line classes as you can, as a mother myself I really appreciate them. You are still very young, so evan if it takes you five years to get this degree, so what, It will be priceless, and you'll be able to support your boys. Good luck to you!

needaway23 · Nov 24, 2006

Thank you very much for that input. And about the kids , I know that some classes run between 8-4 and my children will be in school at that time. What i am worried about is when Clinicals and things start though. Not sure how tuff that will be. But thank you thank you thank you.

needaway23 · Nov 24, 2006

All of your help is very uplifting. I highly appreciate this and I 'am happy i registered with Allnurse. Thank you all. One more thing though is how important will my ACT scores be. I am real weak in Math , would that play a big role in getting excepted into the nursing program? What subjects do i really need to concentrate on now to gurantee exceptance?

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Nov 24, 2006

Each school gives different weights to the GPA, test scores, extracurricular activities, etc.

Best to check with the programs you'd like to attend to see where they place the most emphasis. Good luck!

guerrierdelion · Nov 24, 2006

PLEASE , I need help. I have never been in college but preparing to start this coming Jan. of 2007. I really really want to go into the nursing program, but i have many barriers and dilemas. I am 22 with to boys 6 and 8 , no supportive family what so ever. I make minium wage and cant even really get a babysitter now to work full time. Sometimes i have to risk leaving the boys home alone in order to work. I have been studying up on nursing and KNOW this is somthing for me. What i dont know is if i can do it academically. I want this so bad , but iv been told that it will be impossible for me. Is this true , do i need to look into another profession? Im not so worried about studying at home a whole lot because my boys are very well behaved and understanding. They are actually my only support.
They get excited when i say im going to college. But is there a way to be sure of success without going crazy first? Please , i need some real honest advice. I need to be able to go into school focused on what i will leave with. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!

Perhaps try to get some clarity on which part of the Nursing career ladder/path you want to start on. I am referring specifically to CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), LVN/LPN (Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurse), and RN (Registered Nurse). In my neck of the woods, CNAs make more than minimum wage. Many hospitals are very supportive of promoting/facilitating CNAs to continue their education onwards and upwards to the LVN/LPN and RN ranks.

Best wishes!

lisabeth · Nov 25, 2006

Being a single mom, I feel for you. I know I put off going back to school for years, and I was lucky in the aspect that I had parents to count on while I was at work.

I dont know that I could handle full time job, caring for two young children and handle the pressures of nursing school. I am not there yet, but I think I have a pretty good idea of what I am up against. It will still be hard for me when I start my clinicals because I am wondering what I will do as far as getting my daughter to and from school. She is older, so childcare isnt an issue for me, but I have a couple of hurdles to get through, but I know it will work out, and I am not worrying about it. Do you have a neighbor who would check on them, and maybe watch them for a few hours until you get home? Maybe you could watch their children on weekends for a tradeout. Just a thought.

Best of luck to you.

PLEASE , I need help. I have never been in college but preparing to start this coming Jan. of 2007. I really really want to go into the nursing program, but i have many barriers and dilemas. I am 22 with to boys 6 and 8 , no supportive family what so ever. I make minium wage and cant even really get a babysitter now to work full time. Sometimes i have to risk leaving the boys home alone in order to work. I have been studying up on nursing and KNOW this is somthing for me. What i dont know is if i can do it academically. I want this so bad , but iv been told that it will be impossible for me. Is this true , do i need to look into another profession? Im not so worried about studying at home a whole lot because my boys are very well behaved and understanding. They are actually my only support.
They get excited when i say im going to college. But is there a way to be sure of success without going crazy first? Please , i need some real honest advice. I need to be able to go into school focused on what i will leave with. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!

mommy_xo · Nov 25, 2006

the one thing that bothered me about your post was your saying that you have to leave your boys home alone to work. I really don't know what to say. For their safety, you need to do whatever you have to, to have adequate care for them. Children come first, period. Doesn't matter if they interfere with your plans or not. If going to school means that they are going to be left "alone" more, then you need to wait to go to school until you have some sort of plan in place. Listen, you are not going to care about a degree you earned, if social services comes and takes your kids away from you. I wish you the very best!!!

i agree 110% with siamcat. the children's well-being and safety should be the #1 priority- no matter what. in california, there are government programs that help assist families with childcare needs. i'm not sure what state you live in, but i am sure other states have similar programs. also, try looking into your children's elementary school because most schools provide before and after school daycare. it costs money, but the school district has the authority to waive or discount the fees of these types of after-school programs, depending on your financial needs. many of my friends work as childcare leaders at elementary sites, and it is a great alternative for parents who are unable to find someone to watch their children.

AZmom · Nov 25, 2006

I find it hard to believe you've not gone on public assistance before now. Unless you're receiving some high dollar child support checks, you'll certainly qualify for it.

You should also EASILY qualify for a darn near full ride to school and free childcare. The gov't does not want kids that age left home alone, which is part of the reason they subsidize daycare for low income parents. Pleeeeeease march on down to your public assistance office and speak to someone about your options.

savannahsmiles · Nov 25, 2006

I'm new to the sight but wanted to comment on your post. I had a child at 19 and tried to go to school while she was little. I was not ready at the time and used any excuse in the book. I think that you really need to sit down and think about what you want and why you want it before you take the leap. If this is something that you really want you will do what it takes to get it. I to am nervous about what I will do when I get accepted into the program, my whole life will need to change to go to school full time during the day, but I take it one day/step at a time, and that has allowed me not to get to overwhelmed. There are alot of single mothers both young and old that are taking these classes and fighting to get into the nursing program so it can be done. Please learn from my mistakes, as a young mother/college student I made the mistake of not caring and getting not so great grades that ten years later haunt me! Ultimitly you are the only one that can know if you can do it or not, but in the end if you choose this path your boys are really going to be proud of their mom and you will be able to give them a great life. I wish you all the best of luck!

Christine