I start nursing school in 3 days...

Nurses General Nursing

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I start nursing school in 3 days & I am scared to death! Any advice? I hear so many negatives that I'm wondering if putting my family through the turmoil is worth it... I'm 36! Please help me by giving any advice you can! Thank you!

How exciting!! Congrats, first of all. It is very time consuming, but the majority of nursing students in my program were all mothers, wives, etc. It is definitely doable and definitley worth it! Don't worry. You will all get through it, and you'll be glad you did it. Good luck and God bless! Enjoy it because it flies by!:wink2:

Specializes in ICU.

I started nursing school when I was almost thirty-three, and a single mom, living with my mom so I could go back. I remember feeling about a month before starting school that I should have felt estatic about getting in and finally starting...pretty much I felt scared and some dread facing the prospect of working so hard. I worried about how my kids would do with me in such an intense program. I felt that way the whole first month in school. It was hard and I felt somewhat overwhelmed at the amount of new material...but then it started clicking after the first round of tests. I enjoyed nursing school. It was hard but not so much for me in a hard to grasp way but that it was just like a marathon. The guilt was always hard for me, you know when you are spending time with the family, having fun one day once in awhile...I would always think that there was something I needed to do for school that I should be doing. But you have to have a break, so don't feel to guilty when you take a break. It was all worth it last week when I got my very first check as a ICU nurse :) My son's birthday is this week and I am able to afford to do more for his birthday than ever before. We are going to a major league baseball game the day before his birthday ( he doesn't know, it's a surprise) and I was able to buy him some really nice gifts. Next week when I shop for my boys school clothes, I won't worry how to pay for it. For me this stuff is important because we have been poor as church mice since my divorce. And I do love what I am doing...though I feel a little like I did the first month of nursing school...overwhelmed and tired trying to learn as much as I can on the floor and taking a month long intense critical care course. But this will pass and I will eventually get into the groove of it. You will too and nursing school while you go through it seems at times long, goes by so so fast. I made some of my dearest friends in nursing school too. You have alot to look forward to. You have no idea how cool it is going to be.

Specializes in none yet, but I'm VERY excited!.

I'll be starting in January, and I'm starting to feel some concern too. My children are homeschooled, and I play a major role in that. I plan to stay in touch with my instructors, try to stay a little ahead in the reading (read before the lecture), and make every effort to stay in shape and rested. I figure we can do it, you and I.

Regards,

Kenny B.

Thanks! And yes we can do it! Congratulations by the way. I've actually thought about your advice... hope I can do it - I've already attacked the chocolate the past couple of weeks waiting!!! Sad thing, I've stopped running because I can't focus on anything. I wander around aimlessly searching, for what, I don't know! Maybe a nursing student angel to sit on my shoulder to help me! Good luck to you!

Thank you so much! Brought tears to my eyes because I feel that same exact way! I feel like I'm aimlessly wandering, searching but I don't know what for. I am so anxious. My husband doesn't support me & I have 2 daughters. My baby is 9 & she needs me so much. I hate to take her mom away for the next two years, but I have heard that it goes by really fast. I hope she'll understand one day.

Specializes in Nursing Informatics.

You aren't alone! I am 35, switching careers and starting this month for NS. I am scared as well but just trying to prepare myself and our resources for the months ahead. Good luck!

Specializes in none yet, but I'm VERY excited!.
Thanks! And yes we can do it! Congratulations by the way. I've actually thought about your advice... hope I can do it - I've already attacked the chocolate the past couple of weeks waiting!!! Sad thing, I've stopped running because I can't focus on anything. I wander around aimlessly searching, for what, I don't know! Maybe a nursing student angel to sit on my shoulder to help me! Good luck to you!

I look at it this way. I typically reflect after an experience like this one and decide that it wasn't as bad as I thought. I'm trying to fast-forward to that point now, and it's working a little. Is there a way you can talk to your instructors or classmates before the first day? That usually helps.

Good luck to you too, but I doubt you'll need it. You didn't get in by being lucky after all.

Rgds,

Kenny B.

I feel the same way....I am sick to my stomach...

I'm hoping a glass of wine may help with my nervous stomach, but I'm pretty sure by the end of the next 2 years I'll be a wineo!!!

Congrats by the way, I'm sure we will be fine once we can get in there & figure out what is expected of us! GOOD LUCK!

I will not sugar coat this issue. NS is scary! I went back at 38 -39 years, and I was terrified. I was a waitress for 18 years. I divorced my cheating husband and knew that I had to provide for my two boys and myself. It has been so hard, I felt like puking during clinicals, I was so afraid, I felt like puking before a test especially in MED SURG. Please Just study, study, study and oh yes did I mention study? It does go by fast. I am an LPN now and I LOVE IT! So many times I doubted myself but I kept going, and you all should to. Trust me , If I can do it, so can you. I am into my second year part time for my RN and I feel so ready for it. Good luck to you all. Rhonda

CONGRATS!!!!! This will be my second time taking the TEAS test for nursing school...got in in2007 but didn't think it was good financially for my family. I was really amazed and reassured when taking the test to see the variety of ppl at the testing sight...at 28 I feel like I was one of the youngest ppl there...and by that, I felt ok in changing careers and being older and going through school again. Even though we may not know each other, those younger then you really look up to you older folks in having the passion to be in school again. You just never know what life is going to through at you...I have a BS in community health and yet I've worked in finance the last 8 years...I also recently had a craniotomy and when the dr came in during recovery he touched my shoulder and told me I was going to live to raise my son...I knew then I needed to change my career goals and put my family first...not to get all mushy on you guys, but I think we can all make it as long as we continue to plug away!!!! Extra special congrats to you single moms, I know it can't be easy!!! You're definately and inspiration to many.

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