Prepping to be a RN

U.S.A. Missouri

Published

Hi everyone. I am hoping for some good advice. I am from st.louis mo. I am 32 and have two amazing kids and have found myself in the position of having to return to school and support myself and two kids. I was home schooled years ago and when I graduated I took what was called back in 93 the Ability to benefit exam. Come to find out the state has advanced home school learning and even though they say my courses are fine that I took I should sure up the test score of the ATB with a GED. I have called several Universities and they say it would be best so they have solid test scores for my academic files! well, It has been YEARS since I have taken general ed. classes and I find myself having to take a GED exam it sort of ****** me off but whatever I have no choice. I know I want to become a RN I plan to apply to St.Louis Community college but before I can do anything I have to take a GED exam, A Dosage Calculations Exam and Chem 101, and Bio 111. I will do what ever it takes to amke it happen for myself and my kids but I am so stressed over everything I don't know where to start, what to study first. I have been a stay at home mom for 10 years and due to sad circumstances Im on my own with NO support system no family just me and my kids. I find everything to be so overwhelming, but I cannot afford to waste time, I have to make this happen. I also have a interview with Chamberlainollege of Nursing this Thursday but I am leary of this school. I need to make clear healthy choices and need some advice from people who have already been through this. I want to start studying this Dosage calculations test has me confused! and I have been out of school for so long I simply do not know where to start. Am I just over stressing because I have suffered a huge loss recently or is this enough to stress out anyone? I just need some advice and maybe some study tips...especially for this dosage exam I was told I must make at least a 90%...It's crazy and confusing. Please some advice thank You!:crying2::cry:

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

Hello!!

Yes, it is all stressful and overwhelming at first.

I can't address the home schooling/GED issues; I've not been there.

I can address the fact that you've been out of school for some time. I went back to school when I was about 10 years older than you. I started slow -- one step at a time. It's not easy, but I think you will find if you were a competent learner in the past that you will do fine. I found it easier to apply myself and concentrate than when I was younger. I often felt pulled between my "mom" duties and my "student" obligations, but I did it. I only had the support of my husband (which wasn't always much more than verbal), but that sounds like more than you have at this time.

I would highly suggest doing whatever the minimum is that the college is suggesting at this time. The dosage test has a limited time that it's good for, doesn't it? If that's so, I wouldn't make that a first priority. It would seem you would need to complete some of the other prereqs first. If the dosage material is overwhelming, there is only ONE WAY to overcome that -- take the dosage calculations class. It's listed in the Continuing Ed courses, a counselor can help you find that. When I took it, it was one day a week for four weeks. I never learned metrics growing up and was never a math whiz, and the class allowed me to pass with 100%!! It's not that complicated honestly!!

Please just take things one step at a time. Don't overwhelm yourself. And if you're single and trying to watch your pennies, I would seriously go the community college route and try to get as much financial aid as possible. They have excellent reputations and the price is right. The time commitment will probably be easier to handle also.

I wish you the best of luck and please come back here anytime for more help and any other questions!! But don't hesitate to work with the nursing counselors on campus -- they will be tremendous help and support also!!

:icon_hug:

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Thank you so much for the encouragement. I feel so much better now! Thank YOu!:heartbeat:yeah::bowingpur

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