Had orientation today...having second thoughts

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I had a very intense orientation today. We walked in, signed in and immediately got handed course registration sheets already filled out with classes, all you had to do was fill in your name. They randomly gave out the sheets, half were for the first section (more so morning) and half were for the second section (more so afternoons). The schedules are so crazy. They vary day to day and week to week, the classes are in different buildings and the lab groups are all mixed around. The clinical sites were a little unusual. They're all rehabs or nursing homes with the exception of one hospital. It's like right by where I live so I put it as my first choice, but I doubt I'll get it.

The reason I'm freaking out now is because I have no idea how I'm going to support myself while I'm in the program. I can't really work at all because theres no steady schedule. I'm in panic mode now. This is really what I want to do and I've wanted to do it for a while, but I'm just not sure how it's all going to work. It's an ADN program and I want to go on to get my bachelors/masters and become a NNP eventually. I wish I had stayed at home :( I don't know if I wanna take out a loan or not...I'm trying to weigh my options.

Did anyone else have this issue? How did you deal with it?

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I'm curious how you got as far as orientation without a plan :). I don't start until January and I already have my life mapped out for the next two years (well, I have an idea of what to expect and plan for, anyway!). Are you married? Do you live on your own? What do you do now to support yourself? Is working weekends an option for you? Do you have family that are willing to support you as you go through this process? My college isn't that expensive ($70 a credit hour and the nursing classes are only 1-2 credits each. How much money are you fretting over? Do you qualify for financial aid? Scholarships? There are ways to work through this, but not knowing your personal situation it's hard to give you specific advice.

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Specializes in ccu cardiovascular.

You have gotten this far, Where there is a will, there is a way. First of all sit down with your employer if you have one and see if you could work something out. Try looking into the hospital you are affiliated in your school, see if you can get hired as a cna. Our hospital really tries to work around students, by letting them work nights or even in 4 hour shifts. You need to figure out how much you need to get by, is there anybody such as parents, a spouse that could help you out. You might have to really look at your finances and cut corners where you can, remember if you really want this you will find a way.

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I had a plan, they gave us schedule that was far different from what it is now. I try to plan ahead but sometimes life just throws you a curve ball. Sorry that the change threw me for a loop. I have a job now that I was going to switch my hours to work around school but there isn't a steady schedule. Sorry for asking...

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You have gotten this far, Where there is a will, there is a way. First of all sit down with your employer if you have one and see if you could work something out. Try looking into the hospital you are affiliated in your school, see if you can get hired as a cna. Our hospital really tries to work around students, by letting them work nights or even in 4 hour shifts. You need to figure out how much you need to get by, is there anybody such as parents, a spouse that could help you out. You might have to really look at your finances and cut corners where you can, remember if you really want this you will find a way.

Thanks, I just feel overwhelmed. I guess I'm realizing that it's not going to be what I had expected, I knew it would be difficult but I felt like they just threw a lot on us today. I really did plan but sometimes stuff just doesn't work out. I do have people willing to help, getting school paid for isn't really a problem---don't get me wrong, it costs a lot, but I have some money and family to help, it's just being able to pay bills while I'm in school. I'm sure I'll figure something out. I'm just freaking out because it all hit me today and I feel overwhelmed and needed to tell people who would get it...

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

Having been through an LPN program and now finishing my RN, I can honestly say nursing school is an exercise in patience, flexibility, and $$. Somehow you just have to learn to roll with the changes and keep your eye on the end result.

If you have to take a loan to live, do it. Your earning power after you graduate will allow you to get out from under the loans quickly if you put your mind to it. Plus, working while in school...well, if you can get by without doing it, the better off you will be. I did it, but again hindsight is 20/20. If I didn't *HAVE* to, I sure wouldn't have.

Another thing with work, I have found if you work in healthcare, most employers are supportive of working around your schedule so you can finish school, especially considering you will be another assest to them when you graduate. Where I work now is great, I hand them my school schedule and tell them the days I will work, but trust me, if I had to work at Starbucks to accomodate my hours I would.

Hope this helps, just think of nursing school as your full time job and commit to it as such. Good Luck!

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Thanks, I just feel overwhelmed. I guess I'm realizing that it's not going to be what I had expected, I knew it would be difficult but I felt like they just threw a lot on us today. I really did plan but sometimes stuff just doesn't work out. I do have people willing to help, getting school paid for isn't really a problem---don't get me wrong, it costs a lot, but I have some money and family to help, it's just being able to pay bills while I'm in school. I'm sure I'll figure something out. I'm just freaking out because it all hit me today and I feel overwhelmed and needed to tell people who would get it...

Oh I get it, trust me. I'm not mocking you for not having a plan in place, It's just hard to help when you don't offer much info about your situation, only that you are overwhelmed. I was seriously doubting my ability to start the program up until a couple of weeks ago. I have a different problem, four kids to keep "covered" while I'm taking classes. I was so stressed about putting my two littlest in daycare that I almost backed out (I was hoping for an accelerated evening class to start at my college but it hasn't materialized in time for me to go that route). I was able to find someone to watch my kids that is close and affordable, and now I am trying to look ahead and get excited. I'm ready to spring for a stethoscope, finally ;).

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Kina, I am in a nursing program now and it is way different than I imagined. I had a pretty light first quarter schedule with 2 days off, but that will change next quarter, and the quarter goes so fast that it is really difficult to make plans. I know there are some people who work and I don't know how they do it. Especially since the schedules are not something you can plan for. They only tell us a month before what schedules are available and then you have to compete to get the times and days you want. Needless to say I didn't get the dates or times I really wanted.

Try to find a second year student who can act like a big sib and give you an idea of what is coming. Nursing school is a lesson in flexibility for sure. Take care, Jean

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Oh I get it, trust me. I'm not mocking you for not having a plan in place, It's just hard to help when you don't offer much info about your situation, only that you are overwhelmed. I was seriously doubting my ability to start the program up until a couple of weeks ago. I have a different problem, four kids to keep "covered" while I'm taking classes. I was so stressed about putting my two littlest in daycare that I almost backed out (I was hoping for an accelerated evening class to start at my college but it hasn't materialized in time for me to go that route). I was able to find someone to watch my kids that is close and affordable, and now I am trying to look ahead and get excited.

This has been my worry too, I am actually a year behind my goal because I backed out for a year, not being ready/able to put my kids in day care. This year my family has said they would help out, our schedule doesn't look too bad, and I have 3 friends as back up in a pinch. I feel a lot more confident now going ahead with my plan atleast for this semester LOL.

I'm ready to spring for a stethoscope, finally ;).

I love it! that sort of seals the deal doesn't it? It did for me too mine came in the mail a couple weeks ago. I also had my uniform fitting a couple days ago so I am all set! And getting very excited.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

It sounds like you are feeling a bit unsure and overwhelmed? Also that that you have a concern about paying bills while in nursing school?

As long as you are sure you want to be a nurse, I'd grab the opportunity and run with it. You've got a seat in a nursing program, and that is a precious thing! Being scared is normal. Also, as long as you are sure about this career choice, I'd take out student loans to take care of your financial need. I'd rather be educated and in a good career and with loans than uneducated and without loans.

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I love it! that sort of seals the deal doesn't it? It did for me too mine came in the mail a couple weeks ago. I also had my uniform fitting a couple days ago so I am all set! And getting very excited.

I'm about a year and a half behind my goal too because of childcare and my son's various issues. Thankfully he's made a lot of progress developmentally! Unfortunately he was just diagnosed with epilepsy a month ago so we're working on getting that under control too. I've been doubting whether I should go ahead and start in January because of this.

Anyway, to the original poster, I totally understand being overwhelmed when you are thrown a curve ball that shatters the plan you had set. There are ways to work around it, if you need to take a student loan or apply for other financial aid or cut out things like cable and eating out, or a combination of all of those things. If this is what you want, research all your options, ask for help if you need to.

Good luck to you and please keep us posted! We'll cheer you on! :D

Tiffany

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Specializes in Family medicine, Cardiology, Spinal Cord Injury.

if home is close to school, move back home.

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