In a very bad situation - missing a pre-requisite. It's a long post. Please help! :(

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I have a major problem. I am scheduled to take Nursing courses in the Fall: Intro to Nursing Practice, Health Assessment Lab, Intro to Community Health Nursing (with a clinical component), Concepts of Professional Nursing, and Gerontological Nursing. In addition, I wanted to take Speech Communications. The problem? Speech Communications is a PRE-REQUISITE to the Nursing courses, and I may not be able to take my Nursing courses without it. I have to write a letter to one of my school's departments, requesting special permission to take Speech as a co-requisite.

I was given the option of taking Speech over the summer. However, I do not drive yet (am planning to get a license this summer) and I live in a very rural area. It's very difficult for me to drive to a community college. Additionally, my family needs my help at home. My stepfather has to work many hours to pay for the house and all. My mother just had twins (they're 1 year old now) and she has a 6 year old daughter. She needs my help with taking care of the kids. I don't see how I can take a speech class over the summer if I can't even drive, plus given my family situation.

I don't know what to do. Does anyone here know of any online Speech Communication courses, where I could connect via webcam?? I'm not sure if they make such programs.

I was supposed to take Speech in Fall 2006, but I wasn't allowed in the course because the waiting list was too long. I took a General Education requirement in its place. I then signed up to take Speech in Spring 2007, but my first day of class went horribly, I left in tears. I withdrew from the course. This past fall I took Accutane for my acne problem, and it made the problem worse before it made it better. I ended up with very severe acne (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l300/Sarah52009/d9sfsofslfjsf.jpg) that has recently subsided, but ever since then I have had problems with anxiety. I know I'm mostly clear now, but in my mind it's like I still have that all over my face. Like, I am okay when it comes to dealing with interpersonal communication and small groups, but being in front of a big group of people is really hard on me. I think now I could handle speech (even though I'd hate it), but at the beginning of this semester I couldn't have done it. I'd get sick to my stomach at the thought of it.

I'm not making excuses for myself because I know it's my own fault for dropping the course. I'm just really disappointed in myself. Last year I was motivated, much happier, and I had excellent grades. This year, it's a daily struggle to do things. I have to even motivate myself to get out of bed, much less study, and muster up the courage to make speeches. Do I need anxiety meds?

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Oh, sweetie, it sounds as if you have a lot on your plate.

I couldn't begin to tell you if you need meds but a visit o your doctor might do the trick.

As to the speech class: call the nursing school and talk to someone.

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Ok...focus on what you have control over...and let go of everything else you don't.

First, your mother's twins. I have twins...and 6-year old children can be a HUGE help. I am by myself with the twins as soon as I pick them up from my in-laws during the week, as my husband travels during the week. Your mother will be fine. You can make up for the fact you are not present by helping out a little more when you get home with laundry, cleaning, maybe putting a meatloaf in the fridge the night before, so all your mother has to do is pop it in the oven...she will be FINE.

Two babies, the same age, are easier to take care of than having, let's say, a toddler and a newborn...you just do everything twice and generally at the same time.

Another thing you have to consider...your family situation is not going to change this Fall. Your mom will still have the twins, and your father will still work.

I really think that you need to get your driver's license out of the way ASAP, so you can be more independent...you can even help out by running errands on your way home from school, grocery store, pharmacy, etc....and that will save everyone a trip.

You sound like someone that loves your family alot...I can tell that by your post. But you NEED to take this class this summer, go ahead and register for it just in case you can't get permission to take it as a co-requisite.

As loving and wonderful as your family is, and as dedicated as you are....the bottom line is, if you asked, them, they would probably feel that your education...COMES FIRST right now. Remember that your mother didn't have two more babies to assume you would be there to help out forever....parents expect their children to "leave the nest". You being successful...is the best thank you, that you can possibly give them.

I'll include you in my prayers tonight.

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you need to talk to a school advisor to see what are your options. Perhaps there is an online course. What does your mom plan to do when you are in school full time? At some point you are going to have to decide between being a student and being a babysitter. Sounds mean I guess, but I can see it is coming.

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I have a major problem. I am scheduled to take Nursing courses in the Fall: Intro to Nursing Practice, Health Assessment Lab, Intro to Community Health Nursing (with a clinical component), Concepts of Professional Nursing, and Gerontological Nursing. In addition, I wanted to take Speech Communications. The problem? Speech Communications is a PRE-REQUISITE to the Nursing courses, and I may not be able to take my Nursing courses without it. I have to write a letter to one of my school's departments, requesting special permission to take Speech as a co-requisite.

I was given the option of taking Speech over the summer. However, I do not drive yet (am planning to get a license this summer) and I live in a very rural area. It's very difficult for me to drive to a community college. Additionally, my family needs my help at home. My stepfather has to work many hours to pay for the house and all. My mother just had twins (they're 1 year old now) and she has a 6 year old daughter. She needs my help with taking care of the kids. I don't see how I can take a speech class over the summer if I can't even drive, plus given my family situation.

I don't know what to do. Does anyone here know of any online Speech Communication courses, where I could connect via webcam?? I'm not sure if they make such programs.

I was supposed to take Speech in Fall 2006, but I wasn't allowed in the course because the waiting list was too long. I took a General Education requirement in its place. I then signed up to take Speech in Spring 2007, but my first day of class went horribly, I left in tears. I withdrew from the course. This past fall I took Accutane for my acne problem, and it made the problem worse before it made it better. I ended up with very severe acne (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l300/Sarah52009/d9sfsofslfjsf.jpg) that has recently subsided, but ever since then I have had problems with anxiety. I know I'm mostly clear now, but in my mind it's like I still have that all over my face. Like, I am okay when it comes to dealing with interpersonal communication and small groups, but being in front of a big group of people is really hard on me. I think now I could handle speech (even though I'd hate it), but at the beginning of this semester I couldn't have done it. I'd get sick to my stomach at the thought of it.

I'm not making excuses for myself because I know it's my own fault for dropping the course. I'm just really disappointed in myself. Last year I was motivated, much happier, and I had excellent grades. This year, it's a daily struggle to do things. I have to even motivate myself to get out of bed, much less study, and muster up the courage to make speeches. Do I need anxiety meds?

I am sorry you have been struggling so I have been down the severe acne road, I was plagued very badly when i had my daughter I needed steroid shots in my face once a month it was horrible, was ever so thankful for acutane after pregnancy.

hugs to you on that!

as far as communications goes, try a different school in your area, my school overs a communications online course and everyone here loves it. see if you can find one close by and maybe knock it out in the summer, some places also offer short term courses. If for some reason you can't get in then take the next semester to do and get your self together for one semester before starting nursing full time. It might just the break you need to recharge.

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I'm not sure what is available in your area, but I know that some schools offer online classes. The nursing program here would not take Public Speaking, so I had to take a different speech/communications class. At the time, I needed to be home more, so I chose to take it online. It was nice because I could work on it whenever I had time and just turn things in before the deadline. I only had to go to the campus one time for an exam. All of our other tests and assignments were submitted online. It was more of a communications class, so we didn't have to do speeches like we did in Public Speaking. Anyway, check out different schools in your area to see if they offer an online class. They're great. Good luck!

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Sarah09- first thing- take a breath sweetie. It will be okay! I agree with the posts above. I, too, took on a lot for my family as my mom was a single parent and needed my help. But you have to think of yourself too! I did a little research and found a couple of completely online (no campus visits required) programs at various colleges. They are listed below (I searched for programs in Pennsylvania for you):

Penn State Online: http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/OnlineCatalog.woa/1/wo/6YAWqpOWrhRF2HLNeDRG10/1.13.2.0.2.0.3.9.0.12.0.2.0

Butler County Community College:

http://www.bc3.edu/distlearn/dist_ed_complete_course.asp

(See Comm 201)

One of the programs I read about has you deliver your speeches on tape that you can mail in to the professor. So cool! Well, this should be enough to get you started. Good Luck!

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I would like to advice you to take some tea sarah. I use to be like that to . I use to break out bad when I had exams for anatomy and physiology and especially Microbiology. Linden flower and chamolie tea is great. Take it twice a day. one before going to bed and when you wake up. This should calm you down a bit. In the mean time try to buy Biore Blemish fighting, ice cleaner. This is going to feel nice on your face its mint. If that does not work try Aveeno soap for acne. Do not put any lotion on your face. Only a sunscreen SPF 30 but thats it fragrance free. I myself feel stress I have a BA an AA and completed two yrs of bio, and am still trying to get in the program. I just applied and am also taking Chemistry with a GPA of a 3.1 hopefully with the Chemistry and Lab it can go up....Just relax..

Nothing that is good is easy to get...

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.

Try your local community college and look for online courses. This one is in my area, but you can still enroll and only take the online class. The very last class at the bottom is a speech class.

http://distance.southwest.tn.edu/courses/onlinecourses/index.asp

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First of all, I just want to thank all of you who responded. I appreciate your suggestions, well wishes, and the links to the online courses.

I actually found a Community College that is offering summer courses at my old elementary school. I also found some other online courses for Speech Communication. I think everything will be okay now. :)

Thanks again for your replies!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.
First of all, I just want to thank all of you who responded. I appreciate your suggestions, well wishes, and the links to the online courses.

I actually found a Community College that is offering summer courses at my old elementary school. I also found some other online courses for Speech Communication. I think everything will be okay now. :)

Thanks again for your replies!

You're welcome. I was in a similiar situation. Only thing different was I needed a math class in about three months and I ended up testing out of it for a credit.

Good luck to you.

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