Disappointed in Orientation

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*sigh* This is a little bit of a vent.

I was all excited yesterday for nursing orientation at my school. I've been waiting forever for this! So we get all signed in and there is pretty much where the fun ended. I know nursing school is hard, I know it will be one of the hardest things i've done, I know it is not for everyone, but did we REALLY need to sit there for over three hours having them repeat it 29384925 times!? I know, I know, the weeding out thing, but for the love of all that is holy couldn't I just have had enjoyed orientation? Did the intimidation need to start NOW?

During the student panel question/answer time I basically got told by the one student that I'm setting myself up for failure because I have a child and work FT. Totally didn't answer the question I asked, just kept repeating that. *sigh*

I have a very supportive family, not just my dh, but my parents, sisters, and inlaws and a job that is semi-flexible. I'm organized and good at scheduling. While in my senior year of highschool I went to community college full time, my highschool partime, worked a full time job and lived on my own. I am capable of making this work. Geez. I hope all of nursing school isn't quite so depressing!

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nursing school of course is difficult but nothing is impossible when you really want something.

just a few words of encouragement, my cousin who is also my best friend just completed an lpn program last year. she went straight on to a bridge rn program. she works two jobs, one 37.5 hrs/week and the other 15 biweekly plus going to school full-time with classes 4x/week. her schedule this qtr: adn nursing 1, a&p 2 and microbiology. granted she has no kids and no social life but she is doing extremely well maintaining 2 a's and one b. her professors are so impressed with her determination. she's always told me that this is her dream and she's gonna make sure it happens. she will be done 8/2010 and plans to go to straight onto a rn-bsn program.

so my advice to you is, don't let the words bring any fear or discouragement. if you want it bad enough, you will make sure it happens. my cousin's living proof! good luck.

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Ah, don't let the nay-sayers get to you. People with jobs and kids have made it through this before, and you'll make it through this time. And you certainly don't need any know-it-all telling you that you're setting yourself for failure... how do they even know that? Unless they failed out because they had a job and a family.

So, F that... don't let it get to you. We can do this!

I have a job and a kid, too, and my hubby's work schedule pretty much leaves me as a single mom during the week. But failure isn't an option, right? I'm sure we can do this.

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Your like my role model. :coollook: I go to highschool online part-time (two classes), taking 16 credits (5 classes and a lab) at my CC and working Sundays, while looking for another part-time job (I had to quit my 30hr/week part-time job becuase I moved across country and its been hard to find another)

People do not realize that with determination, we (anyone) could do anything. I am also a queen at organization and love making schedules and I maintain good grades.

Pre-reqs now, upper division BSN, DNP direct entry to become a neonatal nurse practitioner. Thats my plan :up:

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Specializes in Clinical Partner and CNA.

Stay focused and work hard. Don't let them get you down and in a couple of years when you finish (or however long it takes you) you can say I told ya so!! I fought hard and conquered without your help and support!

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I work full time nights and have a family. We had to fill out a bio sheet during orientation about if we work, how much we work, family situation, etc. I was basically told it was a "concern" that I worked 40 hours. Granted I don't have straight "A's" but I have a good grade point and (knock on wood) only one semester left to complete.

No one truly knows the motivation behind someone and the goal they are trying to achieve. So IMHO there is no way you can judge someone's capacity to pass/fail based on work/family life.

You can do it!!! Good luck!

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we had a great orientation. the don stood in front of the class and pointed to all of us and told us that we are the brightest stars and it is her job to make sure we all make it through, together. i am sorry that people who were not supportive, you prove them wrong. we will endure, we will succeed. it has been done by 5 million nurses, i would bet that we will be in the mix soon. you are right. failure is not an option. we are all in this together, and together we will win. keep you eye on the prize and to heck with anyone who wants to stand in your way and not stand with you!!!:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:heartbeat:redbeathe:nurse:

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Oh BTW I think they repeat things a zillion times because they have too. I don't know how many times I heard students say they didn't know something when I swear they were in the same orientation as me. ;) I think part of it is the excitement/fear that prevents some info from sticking.

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Specializes in Utilization Review.

Please don't be disappointed. This post mirrors the one I posted after my orientation. It's just the mindset of certain people to be discouraging...once you get going, you'll figure out what works as far as schedule and organization of your household. If you talk to some of the people in your class you'll soon see that some of them have just as much, if not more, responsibility than you.

I don't know why orientation turns out to be so discouraging...again, it certainly was for me. But look down at your feet and concentrate on taking it one step at a time and you will do fine. You really will.

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Specializes in Pediatric Hem/Onc.

I'm going to work full time during clinicals - not because I want to, but because I have to! No one else is going to pay my rent, buy groceries, pay insurance, etc. I know it'll be hard, but I was quite happy that one of the students that spoke at my orientation was in the exact same boat as me. He's halfway done with the program and said it's possible with good organization and time management. Reading people's stories on this site makes me feel better about it, too!

Instead of explaining the weeding out process, our advisors said, "We don't believe in being negative. This IS going to be hard, but you can do it with the right mind set. Look at the person to your right, and tell them 'see ya at graduation!'"

That totally relaxed the mood at my orientation, and definitely soothed my nerves.

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Don't allow that negative energy to deter you. Stay positive and focused and nothing can stand in your way! Listen to some inspirational music, that always revs up my motivation-Good Luck, you will succeed!

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This is my last semester. I have 3 kids ranging from 10 yrs to 2 yrs. I work part time. My husband works and goes to school too. I don't make A's but I'm passing. With time management and determination you can pass. prove them wrong.

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