Holy crap....chemistry? math? MICRObiology? Physiology?

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Specializes in N/A.

Well I'm officially scared.

I am considering going back to school for a third and final time, and I need some realistic hard answers...

I have been out of college for close to five years now....living on my own in an apartment, barely scraping by, miserable in a job selling ladies' shoes for a major chain department store. Granted I have moved up and gotten a raise, but I'm so unhappy and unfulfilled.

I know I am smart, I think at least.....and I LOVE to help people and be 'where the action is' more or less. I have always been the kind of person to pull my car over at an accident scene and see if I could help in any way. I'm very type A. Now that being said....I've never considered myself a "math" or "science" person. I did rather badly in high school science and math, then again, I was a wild out of control teenager, and didn't study or pay attention to any of my courses except the ones I didn't have to study for.

I've always been more on the creative side of my brain, an artist. If you know an artist, you know how quirky we can be....but that's not to say I couldn't learn it if I actually, really tried. I am going to move back in with my folks for a while (lame, I know) because otherwise I could never afford to pay for it on my own. I am so ready to be back in school, and to hopefully be able to keep up with the younger crowd...but I'm so nervous. I'm sure I'll have to cut back my job to part time once I'm actually in..

I just want this SOOO bad. You have no clue how much I regret not taking full advantage, or having this revelation, in my younger years at college. A dose of life without a degree seems meaningless and unacceptable to me.....so I'm doing whatever it takes....and setting my goals high (I just hope not too high). I want a job I can be proud of, a job that is proud of me even.....I want to feel like the work I'm doing is actual work, making a difference in someone's life.....and to I want to be paid based on my skills, compassion, and knowledge (not how many freakin shoes I sell). Being a leo, leadership and confidence has always been my thing....and I trust myself to take care of people with the proper training. I know I could do it if I can just learn it all.....and love it.

Do I have a prayer? I have no medical experience, no big math or science experience to brag about, and haven't been back to school in ages (and left on a sour note)? Will other nursing students laugh their asses off and tell me to go home? :pntlft::pntlft::pntlft::rotfl::sofahider

(For those of you wondering why I went to college three times already, once I switched my major from teaching to art, then my mom got inflammatory breast cancer, which took up all my money and emotions...then she got better, I went back, then she got sick again, so I dropped out and finished my AAD in studio art from some craptastic online scam school)

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Specializes in Trauma & Emergency.

If you know what kind of hard work you are in for--I beleive that you can do it.

Work hard & study hard and regardless of your previous history with science & math--you will be able to accomplish anything that you set your mind to..DO NOT SELL YOURSELF SHORT!

Will students laugh at you? Probably not--but if they did who cares? Everyone has their own story & their own battles that they chose to fight..if nursing is truly in your heart then the degree is only a few years away.

Good luck to you!

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I so totally relate to how you feel. Although I didn't have to deal with a physically ill parent, I was raising two boys by myself. I'm married now, and now I'm mommy to 3 boys. I am in my second semester of prereqs, and I'm scared too. It's hard work to get into NS, and it's hard work to stay there. I guess it's preparation for all the hard work you will be doing when you graduate! I know this is the best choice for me and my family, and as long as you make the commitment to do the work, then you should be fine! And when you finish you can proudly say that you are a :nurse:!

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I just graduated nursing school in April and got my R.N lisence in May. My high school career was much like yours all I did was party and I got horrible grades. I am really bad at math!!!!!!!!!!! So I know you can do this. Good luck! And come to this site whenever you need any questions answered.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

You don't have to be accepted to nursing school first, you can start taking your math and sciences any time. Study hard, do well, and then you'll have something to show the admissions committee that you've got it together and can handle nursing school.

You just might find you like some of it!

If you are that unhappy in your current job, you might consider becoming a CNA. You would be in a caring position, and start seeing what health care is all about. The younger crowd? There are a great many older and second career students in school; I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the mix of ages.

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I am back for my 4th! try at college....first try couldn't make up my mind what to major in and kept changing (right out of high school, big mistake).....took a couple of years off, then firmed up my plans, re-enrolled in pre-nursing, took some more classes, passed the entrance exam, and got pregnant! Couldn't afford further school at time, so on hiatus again.....fast forward several years....back again for a wasted two years - got a degree in Interior Design!?! (what was I thinking???). That was more than 10 years ago...Since I have enough college credits to make my own "degree" and can't be out of work long enough to do the RN route, I enrolled in April in a diploma program to obtain my LPN...with the plan to get a job (that's another story right now, I know) and work while pursing my RN/BSN (decision to be made at a later date)......with all that said, I sucked at math all through school...moved around a lot and just never "got it"...attempted again in college without success until my associate degree program...had a wonderful teacher worth her weight in gold who helped me "get it"!!! I made an A last term in Math for Nurses (pre-cursor to Pharmacology and mostly nasty dosage type calculations)! I am currently taking Pharmacology and still holding onto an A going into the last two weeks of class, so yes, it can be done!!

LOTS of time studying, LOTS and LOTS of practice (I started with a basic math book and re-learned fractions and decimals....before re-enrolling). They say you should spend at least 2 hours of study for every hour of class....and I took that quite literally, but it works!

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I can relate to many of the thoughts you're having. I too was hesitant when I picked nursing for my future. Science!? Math!? Is that right for me? I found that once I picked the career that I was passionate about, school came much easier. I absorbed all the chemistry and anatomy and mircrobiology, because I had a goal. As difficult as the prerequisites were, I can say that enjoyed the experiences. I would also recommend going through a CNA program in order to get a taste of what it's like care for people in a skilled nursing facility or hospital setting. Becoming a CNA will help you tremendously when you eventually begin nursing school. Or so that's what I've heard from other students in the nursing program and nurses who taught the CNA program that I went through. I begin nursing school in January.

I highly doubt that anyone will laugh at you; don't let that set you back.

You can do it if you put you mind to it! If you don't go for it, you'll always wonder what could have been.

Good luck to you!

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My friend, I am in the same boat. I am in my third attempt at college with a 7 year hiatus. Juat took a summer anatomy cousre and got an A. I barely got a c average with my first 2 attempt at college. Just study your ass off, and get that first A in any cousre you take and ride that pony to the finish line. Success builds confidence, and when you got that, you wont look back. I had to move in with brother and his family to reach the finish line one day.

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Well I am 40 yrs old and graduated from college back in 1992. . . with a degree in interior design. I took a grand total of ONE science course in college, which was a very basic intro Chem class. Never had any math in college either. Sooooo, making the decision to now go for nursing has been, and still is, very scary, but exciting at the same time. I am applying in a few weeks to hopefully start NS in Jan. I have three co-reqs left to take this fall before I start (including two more science courses, Micro and Advanced Physiology). I got A's in A&P I and II, and an A in the required Math course. It IS possible to do it if you put your mind to it--don't let the fact that you didn't take or didn't do well in math and science way back when stop you. Also, don't let the fact that you have no health care related work experience stop you either. I am confident that not only will I NOT be the only 40+ year old nursing student, but I will also NOT be the only one who didn't work in healthcare before.

I say go for it and good luck!

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Specializes in N/A.

At some point in life we all figure out what path we are to be headed on after taking various detours along the way. :wink2: Sometimes we totally reinvent oursevles! I'm pushing 49, 4 kids, husband retired military...I've been out of school for 31 years. I also didn't do well in math... science, ok...but no chemistry. This time around I know what I want, don't really care what other students think of me; who cares what they think? We all have our baggage. I know I will make it! I have a healthy dose of fear (ok, I wake up in a cold sweat) but am excited! If you want this you will make it work! This is my 2nd semester of pre-reqs. I study, study, study and ended up with a 3.7. I will do better this semester!

I say go for it! And good luck!!

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FLDoula--are you a practicing doula, and if so are you going for nursing to be in L&D? Just curious because I think I want to work in L&D and/or postpartum, but sometimes I think what I would really love is to be a doula. So I'm curious if you already are one and are going for nursing now.

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Specializes in N/A.
FLDoula--are you a practicing doula, and if so are you going for nursing to be in L&D? Just curious because I think I want to work in L&D and/or postpartum, but sometimes I think what I would really love is to be a doula. So I'm curious if you already are one and are going for nursing now.

Hi! Yes, I've been a practicing doula for 2 years and also a lacation counselor. I'm certified through DONA. If you are interested email me off post and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. I LOVE being a doula...And I LOVE helping moms and babies learn to breastfeed. Yes, I want to go into L&D. Not sure how it will all incorporate but I'm sure I'll make it work somehow. I talked to a certified doula in February who is also an RN in L&D so I know there are others out there.

Doula work is feast or famine right now.

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