Published Jun 28, 2013
AslyVincent
4 Posts
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Hello , I'm 19 years old & I currently reside in Ft.Lauderdale FL . I'm a high graduate & a college freshman at Broward College..
I've been very Interested in becoming a RN but before was considering Medical assisting or LPN ... Now, I've hard that becoming a RN is very challenging ( studying, exams, clinicals, pre requisites, etc) but that's the least of my worrys ! I'm more so worried because I suck at math & I barely know anything about science . I keep telling myself as long as I try hard and get help or tutoring when needed I should be good, loved ones support and stand behind me all the way but don't really know how much I fear going into this and failing ... Any advice ? Oh yeah, I'm engaged with an unborn daughter near her due date ..
loriangel14, RN
6,931 Posts
Did you take science and math in high school? You may need those before you proceed.Yes nursing school is very challenging. Becoming an LPN or MA will also involve studying, prerequisites and clinicals.Look into programs and decide what you want to pursue and what the prerequisites are.All you can do is try some of the prerequisites classes and see how you make out.Good luck.
HammockBound
505 Posts
Dont doubt yourself. If you have the drive...you should do fine. It wont be easy but you have a great reason on the way to succeed in life!!
Dont get caught up with all the other 18-19 yo talking in class and skipping classes. Dont look for the easy way out. Study hard and practice the work and it wont really matter if you have a strong background in it or not. Your teachers will teach you! I guess you have to start with biology for science before ant. Just write and rewrite your notes. GO TO LRC! Practice a lot.
Im at BC taking my final prereq. and the teachers have been fine. You have to research your teachers on rate my professor so you end up with a teacher who cares. Sometimes you might have to go to a different campus to get a good teacher. I have classes at North Downtown and South! I am all over...but it is worth it. The one thing I will say...is I listen to a lot of students talking around campus and many are talking about the easiest route with the easiest teachers and copying homework. If you can avoid that...you will learn. If you are not strong in math...take 0028 or 0033. Take those basic math classes and learn and study it...and you will do fine.
As far as choosing a career, see how you do with the basics. Most of these science degrees have the same prereq. You can always choose as you get closer. There are a few schools close by that offer similar programs so you can always switch if you decide to go for your BSN instead at like FIU or FAU or for something different at Miami Dade.
HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD
9,051 Posts
It is not going to be easy. mchel210 is right on track with excellent advice. If you did not take advanced math or science in HS, you may have to take a few remedial courses to prepare you to take college-level math & science courses. Community colleges are inexpensive & very effective places to start.
One of the most challenging aspects may be the changes in your 'regular life' - some people discover that they have to eliminate other activities in order to prioritize their education. This means waaay less social and family time; some people find it impossible to work while in school. "Friends" start to fall away because you don't have so much in common and they don't understand why you have changed - LOL. But it sounds like you're ready for a change that will prepare you for a stable and rewarding career to support your family. GO For It!!!
Congrats on your soon-to-be daughter. If you need support or advice, we're always here on AN.
Thank you guys for the support. After thinking about it all last night I realized I can't doubt myself. I realized even the most successful people in life had to struggle to get to where they are. I just have to stay motivated.
yeaa i fell out with mostly all high school & neighborhood friends smh !
Trenata
293 Posts
You have a good reason to be concerned - it is hard - but you shouldn't let that stand in your way! I wanted to become a nurse almost 20 years ago and let my fear of math and science get in the way. Don't get me wrong, I tried but had no clue how to study science and had to drop 2 science classes. Fast forward 15 years later, I finally figured out how to study. Science isn't about reading and memorizing before a test, it is hard work that requires you to read the material, pay attention in class, and study hard every single day. I had no background in science in high school. Now, I am 36 and doing great on my science pre-reqs, hoping to apply to nursing school next year.
Just buckle down and do the hard work, so you don't ever second guess yourself. I recommend that you use summer and spare time to study basic math. I liked the book, Davis's Basic Math Review for Nurses. It is simple math, but getting a good foundation in the basics helps you to understand more challenging math!
Please don't let your worry over math and science stop you! Do what you need to do now to get a good handle on these subjects if you really want to be a nurse!
RNsRWe, ASN, RN
3 Articles; 10,428 Posts
If you are smart and motivated, if you dedicate a significant portion of your life to studying and make classwork, labwork and clinical time a priority, and learn from your mistakes, you will succeed.
If you are not smart, aren't well-motivated, don't allow enough time for studying and miss time in class, labs and clinicals, and make excuses for why you made mistakes, you will fail.
Your move! :)