Published
Well...
I want to be a nurse. I thought " Ok..go to college, get awesome grades and get your bachelors"
Not so simple..
After reading many posts here.. I realize that nursing school is a GAMBLE! They turn away qualified applicants ALL the time.. and in my area there aren't many nursing programs (miami)
I feel like its been a BAD idea for me to actually read all these posts >.
Then I thought.. well my back up plan can be LPN. But I've read so many posts on how LPNs are underpaid.. and treated badly :/ I've worked so hard in university.. 3.8 GPA.. to settle for that kind of treatment..
And to make matters worse.. I- need-to-work NOW. I'm only 19, turning 20 in about 6 months. However, with the recession my parents have been hit hard, and I really want to help them. Not with some whatever part time job..but as a nurse with a nurse salary to pay them back by taking care of them for being such amazing parents ( THE BEST!:redpinkhe). Its the least I can do. And to add to that.. I really want to move in with my boyfriend already:redbeathe, he's in another country at the moment ( Europe) and well.. I need to work for him to come here. And I don't want to leave the US for Europe.. I want to stay here. And..to add to that, I can't work at the moment. I'm usually taking 4-5 classes and need time to talk to my love who is in a 6 hour difference! We've already been apart for almost 2 years.. visiting twice a year ( both doing school at the moment), he is amazing, the one!
Is it possible for someone to have ALL these thoughts in their head and still study for a 8 chapter microbiology exam in 2 days! ( I've been studying like a mad woman!)
Someone..please words of encouragement..words of reality. Any advice?? I know I shouldn't rush something like my education..i feel so blessed to be able to learn and keep learning, but the financial circumstances don't allow me to take my sweet time. I'm a good student.. I work really hard. But I feel like it wont be enough for nursing school.. even MDC nursing ( who just added some bull---- general education requirements.. Speech.. ect. Excuse my french)
And I should add.. I have nowhere else to go career wise. I am not into business.. education. marketing.. ect. I actually picture my self as a prenatal nurse or working with the elderly (they tug at my heart strings), I can't see myself doing ANYTHING else. But it's not just about me.. I have to think about the people I care and love, and I want to start life and get out of this limbo of having no idea if even all this hard work will get me into nursing school.
Ok I've vented enough.. Thanks listening!
Have you thought about taking a CNA course? Then once you are liscensed you could apply for a job, even if it's part time. This would give you experience in the healthcare field and you can work with nurses, talk with them, see if that's really what you want to do before you go any further.
Sometimes we do have to make sacrifices, including time with our loved ones and family, to work towards our ultimate goal. But in the end, that goal is going to benefit everyone. (I have to remind myself of this at least once a day when I have to leave my 2 year old son to go study!)
Have you thought about taking a CNA course? Then once you are liscensed you could apply for a job, even if it's part time. This would give you experience in the healthcare field and you can work with nurses, talk with them, see if that's really what you want to do before you go any further.Sometimes we do have to make sacrifices, including time with our loved ones and family, to work towards our ultimate goal. But in the end, that goal is going to benefit everyone. (I have to remind myself of this at least once a day when I have to leave my 2 year old son to go study!)
That's just what I was thinking just a few days actually :) But an LPN program, which is usually a year long. That way I'll get to see first hand if nursing is for me, and I do like it then i'll have experience that will help me a lot through an RN program. Yea it's hard, I barely spend time with my family, and my boyfriend is already in another country so while I'm studying sometimes , my mind drifts off because I miss him so much. I'm glad him and I can talk and everyday, if not I would go insane! BUt the income of a nurse will definitely help us settle down, and I'll be able to help out my family as well.
I wonder, are you a nurse?? Do you like it? I honestly don't want to work in a hospital, but most new grads seem to start there.
Well lets first talk about the good things. Your young motivated and driven with a specific career in mind. That is good and it's also hard to find in people are young as yourself. You obviously are a person who would be perfect for this type of career. I mean, you expressing caring for your parents and how helpful and perfect they are, you mention how you would love to care for the elderly, all things which develop a great character for someone in the medical field (knowing that you must care for others)
As for your boyfriend, keep it just that. Before you move in with eachother, you should first meet your ultimate goals. Getting into RN school, developing a stable lifestyle (both financially and physically since you will be on your feet alot as a nurse ) If your bouyfriend loves you, he will understand that the hard work and determination your putting towards school ( and not him) will actually be for both of you.
If I may make a suggestion, while taking my pre-reqs for the RN program, I also met the requirements for the respiratory and the radiology program at a few school. Now that i've applied for about a year (still waiting to get accepted like you) I've decided to start applying to these other programs. I mean why not, I'd rather get the experience of being in the medical field instead of the experience of yet another "stepping stone" job that I will end up hating. I would say also try to apply for rad tech programs. Perhaps you might find it more appealing or at least you could then move on to nursing after you are finished.
Well I'm not trying to sway your ultimate goal, I just think you should keep your options open. I'm 27 and have nothing to show for my work. Your 19, so you are way ahead of me. I wish you luck and hope to head an update soon. --A26
Don't be discouraged. If it's in your heart and you want it, it's already yours (you have to claim it and then go get it) - that's what I tell myself. But remember, anything worth having is worth fighting for. It's competitive, but it's doable, and worth it (not just the career satisfaction that it will bring, but the financial mobility as well). I'm taking an 11 week CNA program right now so that I can work as a CNA during my MSN program and last night my instructor (whom's also a RN/CNS with a MSN degree and an administrator at Kaiser) said that she has RNs on her floor making over $50/hour after their first year (again I'm in California, so we may make more than other states, but nursing and the many paths you can take in it , is very lucrative). Yes, one should not get into it just for the money (as I did not since I already make a good salary), but let's be honest, money helps. And if it's something that you still want to do even after having one trying day, then it's worth it (this is actually how I know my current career is not for me, because after i have days that kick my @ss - I'm ready to throw in the towel and go work at taco bell!!! LOL). I say all of that to say this : be like nike and just do it!!
Michaelxy
187 Posts
Just one more comment. When I got out of the Navy at the age of 23 I wanted to be a firefighter. I applied for the SDFD and took the entrance exams and such. Waited about 2 years and I was finally called up to take a physical fitness test, and some other test for entrance into the program.
So on test day I drove up to the testing facility and when I saw about 2000 big buffed guys standing around, I thought to myself "No way can I compete" I ended up getting back in my car and driving off. It is often, that day appears in my head and the regret I feel for not even trying haunts me. I undervalued myself and have to live with the choice I made.
Now I want to be a nurse and I am not gonna re-live that feeling of regret, if I fail, it will not because I did not try.
At least if you try, you can still feel good about yourself. Giving up or not trying hurts your soul for much longer.
Good luck :)