Frustrated over the tunnel with no light in sight.

[MochaFiend]

Hello!

I've been in and out of the medical field since the end of my enlistment where I served as a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy. I went into the Navy because I didn't have the funds for college or a family to fall back on let alone support me as I pursued my childhood dream career of becoming a nurse. What luck to be able to work in healthcare while serving our country!

Fast forward 7 years later and I've struggled with a lot, more than enough to really get me down and out. Example: My husband getting injured overseas that which ended his career in the service, followed by caring for him while we lost everything because the VA has a serious backlog problem when it comes to awarding/providing benefits for the injured. (we literally did, had his family not been there - we would have been homeless because my family has been in and out of my life at their convenience. We pulled up to my husband's mom's house on fumes). However, it took 2 years and we have since recovered in so many ways.

Due to so many things happening, I haven't even been able to finish a single semester with more than one class. I cannot get back to school until Spring 2016 because as a vet myself with VA education benefits, the tiniest thing goes wrong and it takes the VA education folks months to fix something SO EASY. Thankfully, due to my experience, I've recently been hired for a per diem position at a small, rural hospital, as a monitor tech/secretary for their ICU.

I want to be a nurse SO BAD. I feel that being in my early thirties (I'm sorry if this may hit close to home to those my age or 10-20 years wiser) that by the time I graduate that I wont be a desirable candidate because of my age or something or another. I hope that this is all in my head, because it more than likely is. I just hope I make it. I just want that BSN, even if it takes me 10 years. Where is the light in the tunnel? I guess for me to think I'd be able to take a full time course load after being out of school for over ten years was unrealistic.

I'm sorry for the long rant, but sometimes I just feel it's not meant to be? Still, I'm going to enroll as soon as the VA fixes their admin problem with my paperwork. Soldier on, right?

[sourapril]

If you are qualified to take out student loans, try this: Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program

If you are competitive, try this: NURSE Corps Scholarship Program

It's a long shot and requires a lot of patience and paperwork (nothing new to you since you worked with VA) but they do provide a lot of financial support for you and your family. You do have to be flexible if you have to relocate. It's never too late to start something you feel passionate about. Half of my nursing class was in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. Good luck!

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

I am vet and used the GI Bill. Worked great for me. You have to be proactive and get in there. We all acknowledge it is not "easy", but that is how it is. Getting mad at the VA really is pointless.

You want to be a nurse. Got it. Now you need to do the HARD HARD work to get there. Half of nursing school is jumping through the hoops. Essentially they want to see how "bad" you want it.

There will be challenges..there will be things that don't go right. You just have to navigate the system and eventually you get there. Patience is a virtue. Forget the light at the end of the tunnel. Focus on what you can do this week. Get it done. Set weekly goals. Next thing you know you are done.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Have you tried to see what other financial aid is available to you? Have you talked to financial aid people at your school? I'm not sure why they would have you miss an entire semester over paperwork when you had this available before. I'm not familiar with how the GI Bill works, but with any federal financial aid I have found them to be pretty on it. And if there is an error in something, the school usually works with you until it's straightened out. I agree with windsurfer that you need to be more proactive. Especially if this is what you really want.

Absolutely everyone has crap on their plates. Everyone. I appreciate you and your husband's service to our country. I'm sorry they put you in a situation of almost being homeless. Have you ever checked with wounded warrior project? I know in my town, they redid a guy's entire house that was injured in Afghanistan. He was in a wheelchair and the whole town pitched in and remodeled his house. There are lots of services that should be available to you and your husband.

Don't fret about your age. I am 39 and will be 40 when I graduate. Employers like to hire people that have some life experience under their belt's. We are usually more stable and not quite as flakey. We have more responsibilities than people in their twenties and have a better work ethic. I am not saying all people in their early twenties have no work ethic. I did. But generally when people get in stable relationships, have a house and car payment, and a couple of kids, they tend to be more stable and realize what it takes to make it in the world so their work ethics change over time and generally get better. I have done lots of hiring over the years and know many people currently who do lots of hiring and every single person says the same thing about the work ethic of the millenials. I'm sure people said that about my generation at one point. It just takes some maturing. And some day these people will be saying it about the next generations.

Sit down, write out your goals, and how you are going to attack them. Make a plan. If that means you make a call every day about your financial aid, do it. A phone call doesn't take much effort. Set up an appt at your school with an advisor and see what is the best route to take. Map out your future. Write it all down. Make a plan and stick to it. If you really want it, you will find a way.

[MochaFiend]

Sourapril,BSN,RN & Windsurfer8, and Heathermaizey, I appreciate that you took the time to read my vent and provide advice, THANKS

School, nursing school, or being a nurse is not for the weary.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Good luck! USE that GI Bill you earned!

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

Don't worry about your age. I'm 46 years old & I just graduated from nursing school in May and was immediately hired in to the nurse residency program at the hospital I really wanted. I, too, was worried about my age. I had no background in medical (other than being a CNA over 20 years ago).

Stay positive! You can get through this!!!!