It's hard for me now!!!!

So sorry you are having to make this tough decision. It is really hard when family obligations get in the way of the future you are working so hard for. My dad is in a VA hospital in CA--before he went to live there it was very tough to balance my school aspirations and obligations, my own family in Portland, and the care my dad needed in CA. I don't know if it is possible to defer your acceptance (I doubt it, given the competitive nature of the program) but I hope you talk to someone in admissions about your options before you outright decline. I wish you and your family the best, and I hope if you have to reapply next year, everything goes smoothly. Take care.

David, I'm really sorry to hear about your Mom. My Mom developed brain cancer when I was in high school. I was an A student with tons of extra curricular/leadership positions and I was in the awful position of knowing that if I went out of state for school, it was very likely I would not see my Mom alive again (we couldn't afford to fly me back and forth) In some ways it was devastating not to follow my dreams and ambitions right out of high school. However, I have never regretted my decision to stick close to home. I was able to be with her when she died, with my family afterwards, and I was still able to move out west after it was all done. While our situations are different because your Mom may recover, I just wanted to let you know that choosing family is always the way to go in my book! We'll see you in Oregon next year!

Hi David,

I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom's stroke. Rest assured you will not regret staying close to help her through this trying time! I too took a year delay to apply to nursing school as my Dad was stricken with Small Cell Lung Cancer. I will never regret the time I spent helping my Mom and Dad through the roughest time of their life. In addition, I think by being there you will be a stronger and more compassionate nurse when you are able to continue on with your education. Plus although it will be challenging, you will learn alot in the process of helping Mom through the process of recovery and therapy.

Be strong and know you are making the right decision.

Sending my thoughts and prayers your way.

Julie