For all of you Practical Nurses....

linzz · Aug 19, 2010

I know how you feel. I am a worrier too. Anyways, the workload is heavy but with some organization, good self care and determination, you can do it. It will help a lot to have a supportive spouse but many moms who are single get through school and become great nurses.

I think the most important things you can do are to attend all the classes, take good notes and keep up with the reading and you should be fine. Also if you are having trouble with a class, seek help early on before it gets out of control.

Try to relax, and enjoy as the two years will fly by.

Best of luck to you.

loriangel14, RN · Aug 19, 2010

linzz is right on with her advice,especially about keeping on top of the reading and seeking help before you get overwhelmed. I was 38 and was a single mom of 2 little ones when I started but I went to a part time evening program so I could still work.

Best of luck and let us know how it's going.

Daisy_08, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2010

hi, i’m going into my second year and loving it!

i'd say organization is your best friend. especially when you have a family, job ect.

i have had some amazing classmates who are juggling a lot and still getting hood grades. for instance there is a single mom of four kids, ages 12-6, (one even has some disabilities) she is one of the top students and the most organized. so it is defiantly possible. you won’t get all the sleep you need, might not get to go on some school trips, or miss a late night study session but you will make it. do your best, don’t stress over having excel in every area of your life, and enjoy the experience!

good luck, it will be worth it in the end!

Fiona59 · Aug 20, 2010

Yup, you've just got to explain to your kids, that Mum just isn't going to be around for every hot lunch day, trip to the Museum, etc. They survive and they learn by seeing Mum do her homework with them.

mamaof3boys · Aug 21, 2010

Thanks ladies. I have heard that as long as you keep up on your reading and do your assignments everything will be fine. My organization is great and I can multi-task with the best of them so i'm hoping i'll be ok! My husband work 12 hours shifts from 6pm till 6am so that is the only thing that is scaring my right now. I don't have anyone to help me in the evenings with the kids! I guess I can kiss my beauty sleep goodbye!!!

linzz · Aug 21, 2010

Sounds good, momonamission. My spouse also works shifts, so I found it hard. The one thing that did help was that my kids were young enough to still have a fairly early bedtime (between 8:30 and 9:00), so if I needed to finish an assignment, prepare for clinical or study, I had a few hours to do it. The downside to this was that they were also young enough to need childcare, but lots of people work that one out.

Also you don't always have classes for a full day, so if the kids are gone all day, you may be able to get an extra hour or two for homework or rest (lol).

You will find your own way that works for you. Best of luck. :)

Northern_Angelia · Aug 25, 2010

I'm also starting the RPN program in September :) I'm 35 and a single mom of 3 kids (10yr old twins and an 8yr old) and I love meeting other moms who are also taking RPN.

Tincup44 · Aug 26, 2010

I heard some good things about the RPN program at the St-Lawrence Cornwall campus. I have 5 friends who have already went through the program there and very enjoyed it. The material isn't necessarily very hard but there is alot of it to take in in a short time. If you give yourself some time to review and study and no procrastinate then you'll do fine. The worst thing you can do in this program is to wait to do assignments and studying to the last minute. I am currently enrolled at the Cornwall campus in the 2nd year of the BSCN program and upto now it's going great. The college in Cornwall has smaller classes and adequate teacher to student time and the teachers are willing to help out if you ask them. Also, there's always tutoring from 2nd year students in the RPN program.

m_aidez · Aug 26, 2010

The worst thing you can do in this program is to wait to do assignments and studying to the last minute.

I hear you! Always be on top of assignments. The weeks go really fast. If you don't understand the assignment from the get go get help as soon as possible.