Just an intro: I am a second...er, third career pre-nursing student. I'm doing pretty well in my prerequisites so far and am loving the sciences even though they are wicked hard. I wonder why I ever waited so long (mid-30s now) to start a career in the healthcare field. I'm hoping to get into an Accelerated BSN or MSN program since I have my Bachelor's already and also considering applying to as many ADN RN programs in order to get into a program once I'm done with prerequisites. Even though I'm older than most of my classmates, I don't care how long it takes. My friend was a programmer and manager in computer science and became a nurse in her 50s; it's never too late to do anything if you have the ability and drive to do something. I quit my high-paying job so that I would have more time for prerequisites while taking a lower-income job that didn't require that much attention.
OKAY! Sorry for the long preface...here's my issue: I recently encountered a pre-nursing student who, upon hearing on one college I was applying to, said, "Oh, you're my competition." That sort of took me aback; I immediately tried to assure her that I probably wouldn't be applying at the same time, etc. so that we could work together as cooperative lab partners (I was kicking myself for sitting by her that first day but tried to be friends). So far, I've only encountered really encouraging, excited pre-nursing students...I've also met nurses who were really happy about their jobs!!! It wouldn't be so discouraging but she began just being really snarky to me. She was seemingly intelligent as well. I ended up dropping the class, btw, mainly because the teacher was incomprehensible.
Anyway, I never thought of other people as being my competition until this moment. And now, I feel really discouraged. _I_ was my competition because I've never been in healthcare or concentrated on science so much. I hate that now my thoughts are "tainted" by having to "beat" someone rather than trying to achieve my own set goal.
Is it bad to think that I hope this student realizes that it's not about beating someone but rather eventually helping someone in healthcare? Isn't that the main reason why people become 2nd career nurses?
This competitive streak is present in many people in my program. It is very obvious that you are being assessed as either a threat, a doofus or just one of the crowd. I actually saw a guy taking a tally of who-got-what in a verbal informal/ungraded quiz the other day (ie Ms. E answered 5 right, Mr.G answered 4 right, Mrs.X got 8 right) and he underlined the higher scoring classmates in red Sharpie LOL.
I guess some folks have already bought the Valedictorian photo frame on sale at TJMAXX and are determined to use it. Do I trust them? Absolutely not.
Hmm me thinks she won this round. Sounds like shes got self esteem issues or just has doubts in her ability, either way dont listen to what these idiots say. Worry about yourself.
My school is competative in that its hard to get into. Ive had counselers tell me I probably wont get in. So all I did was make sure I took all my prereqs before even applying and tried getting a A in every class. I ended up getting one B and all As, but I did get in the first time I applied. I think most people apply without taking any prereqs so naturally those people wont get in right away.
Yikes?! Counselors were telling you that? So much for counseling! D= But it's great that in the end first time you applied you got in. I think I'll say "Bring it!!!" to myself to prevent making those negative thoughts (e.g., I'm too old and forgetful...I don't have a masters...etc.) turning into something I actually believe.
Suethestudent
127 Posts
This competitive streak is present in many people in my program. It is very obvious that you are being assessed as either a threat, a doofus or just one of the crowd. I actually saw a guy taking a tally of who-got-what in a verbal informal/ungraded quiz the other day (ie Ms. E answered 5 right, Mr.G answered 4 right, Mrs.X got 8 right) and he underlined the higher scoring classmates in red Sharpie LOL.
I guess some folks have already bought the Valedictorian photo frame on sale at TJMAXX and are determined to use it. Do I trust them? Absolutely not.