Did you have to go the scenic route to complete nursing school?

nursepearl · Jan 5, 2004

i graduated high school while i was 6 months pregnant. Started college when my son was 4 months old. I will be graduating with an ADN in May of this year and my son is now 6. I have about 140 units and I still have 12 more to go! So its been long....but well worth it.

Pearl :)

pkmom · Jan 5, 2004

Originally posted by Hellllllo Nurse
Six years and 127 college credits to get my ADN.

sounds like me, but I'm working on year #7.

1savvydiva · Jan 5, 2004

You guys don't know how much I needed to read this. I started college as a Psych major at USC in 1998, went three semesters and ended up on academic suspension due to poor performance (lack of motivation, and several extenuating circumstances). I sat out for a while deciding what I wanted to do. I decided that I really wanted to become a nurse, so I enrolled in an ADN program in 2002.

The first time in clinicals, I was forced to withdraw because my health form was incomplete and I couldn't get my second step hep vacc before clinicals started. I came back the next semester, attending class while working full time nights. I was doing well in my classes, got past midterms making A's in all of my classes, and I exceeded my absences in one of my 10am classes because I tried to go home and take a nap and overslept. Since it was a co-requisite, I was forced to withdraw from clinicals yet again.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming anyone for my circumstances, but it does make me a bit frustrated. When I spoke to my advisor last semester about returning yet again, she said that even though i hadn't failed, and i was doing quite well in my classes, (3.85), they still had to count those as two failed attempts. She said that I would have to get to the back of the list, and probably wouldn't be able to re-enter the program until 2005. What really discouraged me is that my ADVISOR told me, "Why don't you just give up...it seems like you really don't want to do this, why are you wasting your time?" :eek: I feel that that was totally inappropriate for an advisor to say. Even if she felt that way, I think that she should have kept it to herself.

I know that I don't have to prove anything to her, but I just get so down about the whole situation. After speaking with her, I really tried to take a step back and reevaluate my situation to see if this really is the career path for me. I've prayed about it, and the only thing I keep coming up with is nursing. I know that I will be a good nurse...someday. I just see all of my friends going into careers around me and it's hard to say that I haven't really accomplished anything in the 6 years that I've graduated. I know that I can't work on anyone else's timetable but my own, yet you still want to compare at times when people ask, "So when are you finishing school?"

Anyway, this was very encouraging and I'm glad to see that you all are accomplishing your goals despite 'life'.

Thank You!!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2004

Originally posted by 1savvydiva
my ADVISOR told me, "Why don't you just give up...it seems like you really don't want to do this, why are you wasting your time?" I feel that that was totally inappropriate for an advisor to say. Even if she felt that way, I think that she should have kept it to herself.

What a jerk. If I were you advisor I would think the exact opposite. "You obviously what this very bad, since you keep coming back." Good luck!

I forgot to mention that the total time I was in school taking classes was about 8 years. However, I started in 1978 and finished in 1991. I'm glad people around me were saying things like your advisor did. That would have hurt.

Hang in there!

mstewart · Jan 5, 2004

Well, am I ever glad to see this thread!!

Just started my LPN program last year in june. Well, I have only been able to take a couple classes at a time. It seems to be taking me FOREVER. If I stay at this pace, it will take me something like 4 years to finish.

Everyone just thinks i can afford to quit my job and go to school FT. They must think I am REALLY on top of my finances and have no bills. Wouldn't that be nice!!

I'm sure gmac and the Mortgage company, among others, woulnd't mind not getting paid so I could go to school FT!

I'd love to be an NA at night and go FT during the day,but those "jewels" that NA's get aren't enought to pay my mortgage!

MiaLyse, APRN · Jan 5, 2004

My first major out of highschool was Accounting. I ended up leaving college. I was young with a young son. (early to mid 80's)

I went back to school for the nursing program, took a couple classes but couldn't stay due to childcare issues. (early 90's).

Went through the LPN program and became a licensed practical nurse this past October. (entered 2002-graduated 2003)

I am now working as an LPN and taking classes towards the ADN. Took one class last semester and am taking one class this semester along with working two fulltime jobs. (can sleep on my 11-7 job though, so that helps).

My advisor told me that one math class and I could be in the RN program come September.

No way, I need to work and besides I want to keep my average up and not have to cram. I want to have only Nursing I, II, III and IV to do in the end. I'm going to take every other class beforehand. I know most take some with clinicals but right now I think it would be unrealistic for me, especially if I want to keep my grades up. Somday I'll get there. Oh, and then there's radiography. That seems like it would be interesting. LOL I'll probably just keep going after the ADN. :-)

Kelly

1savvydiva · Jan 5, 2004

Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy
What a jerk. If I were you advisor I would think the exact opposite. "You obviously what this very bad, since you keep coming back." Good luck!

I forgot to mention that the total time I was in school taking classes was about 8 years. However, I started in 1978 and finished in 1991. I'm glad people around me were saying things like your advisor did. That would have hurt.

Hang in there!

Yeah, she was a jerk. I'm considering going to another school, because I just don't feel good about that school and the so-called support staff there. My mom says I shouldn't let her run me off, because it actually is a good program. I just can't wait until 2005 to get back into clinicals. If I go to a neighboring city (about 50 minutes away), I will be able to start in August. The downside is that clinicals are 5 days a week, whereas the school that I was attending had lecture 8-4:30 on day 1 and lab/clinical 7-12:20 on day 2. Sucks!

Thanks for your well wishes though!

Sarah Kat · Jan 5, 2004

I was a psych major straight outta college (psych is kinda like undecided nowadays I think) in 1995. I was working 30 hrs a week supporting a deadbeat abusive boyfriend and taking 15 hrs of classes. I quit a wounded tragic mess. I went back to school a couple of years later after working in a medical billing office, still persuing psych. I got some good grades, but I still didn't have the motivation I needed. I was happier to work full time at a dead end job and party (great career decision!). I then went back to school again a few years later at a third college, got straight A's for two semesters, then went to FL to get 3hrs of credit while I worked (and played) at Disney World. My main purpose for going down there was to get away from all of my friends and family and figure out who I was and what I needed.

I came back, started dating a friend, we were married a year later, then a year later his mother died from colon & liver cancers and I finally figured it out. Nursing! Duh! What took me so long? Well, I had never considered it. I was supposed to be a Dr or a lawyer but not a nurse... Funny how nursing used to be one of the only available career choices for women and now so many women don't even consider it...

My husband and I are struggling financially, we're still a young couple. Most of the classes I have under my belt will be good to apply towards a BSN, but I can only take 1 year off to go to school full time. I am doing the LPN so I can hopefully get employed with the local "medical center" and get them to pay for the rest of my nurse schooling through ASN and BSN.

I will be a nurse this time next year, and will keep on progressing up to the master's level (I hope).

MiaLyse, APRN · Jan 5, 2004

>

This was exactly what I did. Currently working as an LPN and my employer will start paying for my classes this summer. :-)

Kelly

1savvydiva · Mar 30, 2004

I just wanted to bump this back up to the top. I'm having one of those frustrating weeks, and I needed some motivation.

danaRN2b · Mar 30, 2004

I graduated high school in 94, went to college for one year. I left school to take "just one semester off..." :rotfl: to get married and have my first son. Of course, then I had to start working to pay the bills, then there was our second son, then our daughter, then our FINAL son! So, now I'm taking one or two classes a semester to get pre reqs done. Planned on starting the nursing program this fall, but now cannot due to financial/daycare reasons, so two more semesters finishing up core classes...then hopefully I'll start program in fall of 2005. Then I'll be an RN by 2007!! So, start to finish I'll have taken 13 years to graduate, 5 of them in school.

rebeccalizzie · Mar 30, 2004

Oh yeah, me too...graduated HS in 1993, went to school for a year in pre med, almost flunked out. Dropped out, had my DD in 1996. Went back to school for psych, dropped out a year and a half later because I realized it was a waste of my time. Quit waitressing and started working as a 911 operator. Started back to school *AGAIN*, finally finished my bachelors in...accounting...last year (why in god's name I chose a business degree is beyond me, but at least I have a non stressful day job now :rolleyes: ). During all this I got married in 2002.

Planning to start prereqs to be an RN this summer. :) . I originally planned to do an Accelerated BSN program, but now it looks like it's going to be ADN so I can still work and help pay bills while I'm in school! And then I'll do a RN to BSN bridge while working in a hospital, and maybe a masters...I'd like to be a nurse practitioner.

Yeah, this is *seriously* the scenic route!!! :rotfl: