Need some encouragement, I can do this, right?

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I am starting prereque's on Tuesday, and I can't say that I'm not getting a little nervous! I have two daughters, one 7 and the other will be 4 in December. I've been a SAHM to them for the past 5 years, and I'm very involved with their lives. I've explained to the PTO at my daughter's school, which I am second in charge of, that I am going to be going to school and may have to make some sacrifices for my education, but plan to continue to be as much apart of it as I can. My biggest fears are missing out on my youngest's firsts...in preschool they have so many programs and events that are a HUGE deal to them, and I want to be there for her just like I was with her sister. I love them so much, I hope I am making the right decisions, at the right times. I hope I can do this. It's been an awfully long time since I was in school. I cannot fail at this point, my family is making so many sacrifices for me to be able to do this. I know not everyone here is religious, but I truly am putting all my faith in God at this point. I feel like he's lead me down this path, making the impossible all of a sudden possible, and things are falling into place. I'm just doing all I can to mentally prepare myself, and of course, doing LOTS of praying!

Anyone have any encouraging words or advice? Did you have personal struggles and obligations while you went to school? How did you manage it? Were you able to be there for your kids?

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Congrats on concidering going back to school! I was a stay at home mom for 7 years and then ended up going through a divorce and decided to go back to school to be a cna as a single mom of 2 children. I have to say it was the scariest most greatest experience! It really gave me alot of self worth. It had been 10 years since I had been in school!! So you can imagine how freaked out I was to figure out how to be a single mom and go to school and work 35 hours a week also! But some how i'm managing it and actually I'm happy my kids are happy and its working out great! So if I can do it I know that you can too!! Good Luck!

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Of course you can do this, you need to accept now that you might not be able to make it to EVERYTHING. Your kids won't hold it against you, it sounds like you are a very involved and loving mom and that is what they will remember, reading them a story, tucking them into bed, jumping on the bed with them, taking them to McDonalds to play in the playland or to the park and so on, these are the things they will cherish and look back upon.

When they get older they will look back and think about what a strong momma they had that went back to school and made it and they will be proud of you.

It's a scary transition. When I made the step to go back to College I had been a SAHM for many years, I had 3 sons, one in K4 and one in early pre school and one in 1st or 2nd grade I think. LOL Anyway, it was scary, I was used to being a SHAM and never had plans to go to college and so on and decided I was going to.

FF to now and I just started the Nursing Program last week. I was on the waitlist for 3.5 years and in that time I had a daughter. I have met tons of obsticals along the way but I have not lost my determination. Now my sons are in 2nd and 4th and 8th grade and they completely encrourage me and say how cool it is that I am going to college and stuff. They tell all their friends how their mom is going to be a nurse and nurses help to save people's lives and how important their mom's job is going to be and stuff. All this without me ever getting into with them.

Anyway, there is the old cheezy saying, Where there is a will there is a way. It is true, feed on the positivity of how you CAN do this and you WILL do this and keep your kids involved and explain to them what is going on and things will be ok.

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You can do this!! I understand not wanting to miss those special moments. You have the drive so you are on the right path. Just stay organized! At the beginning of each term I write down my study schedule in my notebook and try to keep on it. It will take time getting used to it but you will. My husband deployed last April and it took a lot of rearranging to learn how to handle things on my own but I did. I usually study in the evenings after my son goes to bed and during naptime. He is only 2 so he probably goes to bed earlier than your kiddos but find what works for your family and you will succeed. Good luck to you :)

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Thank you so much for the encouraging words. I really needed them. I'm all up in it at school now! Stressing a little about the GPA thing but I'm just going to study until I can't study anymore. Lol*

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hi, this question is for mi vida loca. do you mind if i ask why you were waitlisted so long?

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pumpkinpatchquilter-

I know how you feel! My son is 8 and my daughter is 6. I homeschooled 2 years ago, I have taught Sunday school for the past 5 years, bible drillers, planned our church's fall festival, PTO, etc....I started my pre reqs middle of last year and start a BSN program in January. It is a total leap of faith. My husband lost his job this February and started a business all on faith. He turned down a job this afternoon with a great paycheck and benefits bc his business is going so great! My point is this: With God all things are possible.. you have to completely trust him and "turn it over"!! You are setting an awesome example for your kids--never give up your dreams, finish your schooling, you're showing them the value of advanced education. You are an awesome mom (i'm sure!) Your kids will remember the good times, trust me and trust God!! Kelli

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Single parent here...my boys are older, but they've gone through many career/job changes with me. We're stronger for it and they have a sense of independence. But really, just echoing what everyone else is saying. You can do it. It's been done by others. The kids won't remember each thing you miss, they'll remember the times you were there...keep a balance, have fun, and you'll be fine! Oh, and one day at a time. Good luck!!

Sharon

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I am a single mother, and I waited to return to school. I wanted my daughter to be more self-sufficient before returning to school myself. Well, I was enrolled and excited to start my first semester when my sister-in-law passed away, leaving behind a 16-month old little girl. With my brother working full-time, I took over the main responsibilities of raising and caring for my niece. Suddenly having this full-time responsibility in my lap, I was contemplating giving up on going back to school, or at least pushing it off another year or two. With only a few days before classes were to start, I decided to drop all of my face-to-face classes in favor of online courses. I was lucky enough to be able to take almost all of my pre-requisites online so I could be at home with my niece while still pursuing my educational goals.

I'm sure you'll find a way to get through this! It looks like you've definitely come to the right place for some online support!

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
hi, this question is for mi vida loca. do you mind if i ask why you were waitlisted so long?

That is just how my school was. How a lot of schools here were, if you met the requirements to get in the program you got put on the wait list and were given a number. You couldn't get on the list until all your pre reqs were done and you had a min. gpa and do fingerprinting and background test.

Then you had to wait until your number came up.

This way has pros and cons, obviously the long wait list is a con but everyone gets a chance that meets the requirements.

But most of the schools here are now starting to go more competitive, my school plans to start going that route by 2011. It takes so long because only 25 non previous BS students got in each semester and there are hundreds of applicatns, so that is 50 non BS students a year, then each semester they let in 25 previous BS students each semester, their wait goes a lot quicker since it's less number of applicants and they are able to do the Pre Reqs while on the Wait List. They don't have to have them done before applying.

So our classes consist of 50 students, half have previous BS degrees and half dont.

Not sure if that made sense, it seems confusing with me rereading it LOL

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Pumpkin,

Take a deep breath. Take things a week at a time. This will help you to not be overwhelmed by how large this project is. Just like you are not trying to teach your daughters to drive a car right now, don't worry about classes that you are not even in yet. I recommend that you take five minutes each week to write down goals for the week and ONLY for that week. This may include homework, dinner plans, family time, school projects, anything. Pin it up and work on those things. Your daughters will be so proud of how strong you were when they grow up and understand your hard work. Cutting back on the PTO thing is a great first step. Don't make the same mistake I made by delaying nursing school for twenty years. Take it one week, one day, sometimes one hour at a time. Hugs.

Charlie

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"I can do this, right?"

Yes you can. Many before you have done it and they were only human as well. Be positive. A positive mental attitude will be your best friend.

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