Just wanted to offer a few words of encouragement to those who are struggling nursing students wondering if they will make it through.
I am 24, mother to a wonderful 8 year old daughter. I started LPN school in Sept. 2010 which was 3 months after I got divorced. I was severely depressed for a while, had to work four 12hr night shifts a week as a nurse tech in a hospital to be able to pay the bills, and went to LPN school M-F 8a-4pm. I had to stay up for 34-38 hrs at a time due to my work/school/mommy schedule. I got sick often due to the stress. One day I got to clinicals and just cried. I was so tired. I ended up taking a 3 month break, and I'm so glad I did. I came back to school with the class behind me, re-energized and re-focused.
My advice is if you have to work FT then ideally get a double weekend job but I didn't want to find a new job cuz I absolutely love my coworkers and coming from a nursing home with terrible coworkers, I didn't want to give that up. If you have to take a break and are able to do so, do it. There were times I just wanted to give up. If you feel that way, DON'T DO IT. There IS a light at the end of the tunnel. I finally see that light, being 2 weeks away from my last day of school and having a position waiting on me on a med/surg floor at the hospital I've been working at for the last 2 years as a nurse tech with my wonderful coworkers to guide me into my first years as a nurse.
Yes, there are people who have it worse than me. There's always someone out there who has it better than you, and someone who has it worse than you. Either way, we can do this! Have faith in yourself, try not to stress, and just breathe. WE GOT THIS!!
amen! i worked 6 hour days and went to lpn school part time nights 3:30 to 9:30/10:00p monday through friday for 18 months.
i'm married with three kids. during this time both daughters needed surgery, youngest was adenoids due to an infection and my oldest daughter has cp and needed heel cord lengthening and other muscular skeletal work due to an unexpected growth spurt and an injury- she had a long recovery.
i can remember crying many times because there were not enough hours in a day to do everything i needed to do.
hardest 18 months of my life but worth it…. never say you can't do it!
Great advice! To you and all the single moms out there, I want to encourage you to keep your head up! As a single mom, I got my LVN, kept going to school and just passed boards last week and am now a Registered Nurse! Don't give up. Focus on being a great parent, work hard and it will all fall into place. Big hugs and good luck to all the hardworking single moms out there. :)
ChristinP
89 Posts
amen! i worked 6 hour days and went to lpn school part time nights 3:30 to 9:30/10:00p monday through friday for 18 months.
i'm married with three kids. during this time both daughters needed surgery, youngest was adenoids due to an infection and my oldest daughter has cp and needed heel cord lengthening and other muscular skeletal work due to an unexpected growth spurt and an injury- she had a long recovery.
i can remember crying many times because there were not enough hours in a day to do everything i needed to do.
hardest 18 months of my life but worth it…. never say you can't do it!