Divorce?

allnurses Guide · Aug 7, 2014

I started nursing school as I was going through a nasty divorce.

My ex had the kids with him most of the time so I could get through school and he paid me maintenance, which I hoarded into an account to save for the kids (which I continue to build on, even though I no longer get maintenance, and is for the kids' college).

I worked part-time as a PCT and lived with my family (I paid them rent).

Having supportive family and friends is important.

I was, fortunately, working in a place that had tuition reimbursement and that job also gave me a scholarship for school, so school was practically free.

I am grateful I did not struggle financially because of the above mentioned things and I also had a knack for living frugally.

Mentally, I was a wreck.

My ability to focus was poor.

God, I missed seeing my kids every day!

Eventually, my physical health began to deteriorate.

I failed nursing school twice and I finally slapped myself on the face and got my act together.

I met with a counselor through EAP, saw the school counselor and I did a deep reflection and reassessment of my life and what I needed to do to get through both divorce and nursing school.

If you are going through this, OP, I wish you the best.

It's amazing what we can handle when we make up our minds to do so.

RunBabyRN · Aug 7, 2014

I went through a break up and almost divorce... Long story.

Anyway, I relied on some emotional support from friends during this time. That was the only semester I earned a B+ in nursing school (As and A-s for the rest of it), but that was also partly due to being VERY sick and bombing an exam one day.

It was hard to focus, hard to study, hard to do much of anything. I forced myself through it, and I ran/worked out for my sanity.