Need some encouragement, I can do this, right?

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

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?

[lele2be]

I don't think you will miss out on too much! your just starting your prerequisites. Although yes it's important to stay on top of your work but if you take a day or two off you should be ok! Once in the nursing program and when focusing on your major courses like the sciences..that's when it's pretty much all work and no fun. Good Luck!!

[djsreese]

I had the same fears and knotting of my stomach that you had. I was talking to a very good friend of mine who is a new RN and her advice to me was to find a scripture and meditate on it whenever I started to get weary. I now recite and affirm That I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. The thing that I have come to discover is adversity is gonna come it is up to me to meet it with by backing down or standing strong. I pray that you are successful in your studies.

[KEaFutureRNHopefully]

I know a bunch of classmates who have children, are single moms even and made it through nursing school. I don't have kids, but this is what I've learned (over half my class has children)

Advice:

1. Figure out who'll be there for your kids when you can't. Babysitters, who'll be doing pick-up, who'll get dinner.. etc.

2. You're going to be away from your kids and it's gonna be hard on the entire family (spouse, you and the kids) BUT you have to remember that nursing school isn't forever. It's temporary.

3. Remember who you're doing this for. If you're doing it for yourself be tenacious don't get anything get in the way. If you're doing it for your entire family, always keep that in mind. I know some people who are doing this to give their children more opportunities. Remember that. In the long run you'll be able to give them more options because you worked to EARN it.

In my class I have single moms with 4-5 kids. Throughout the past year we've had a couple marriages and a couple pregnancies in my class.

YOU CAN DO THIS.

Remember why. Remember that others have done it before, so you can too. BE TENACIOUS. BE DETERMINED. Do what you have to do to succeed. :redbeathe

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

Thank you all so much for all of the advice and really motivating words! You have truly helped.

Things are going well so far and I'm gaining some confidence. I'm only spending about an hour, sometimes two, studying to keep up. I'm shocked at the homework and amount of information that is covered in such a short period of time - and these are supposed to be the easy classes! Lol* But things seem to be sticking in my brain somehow, and I'm optimistic that once I'm in the actual nursing program I will manage a way to get through it all.

[Paje]

Hi,

I do not have experience to draw upon with words of wisdom for you BUT I am in the same situation. I start one pre-req. on the 14th (a late start class b/c my original plan was to start in the spring). Anyway, I do have a strong faith/active church life and also feel that I have been led to this path - which is one that I had always let people know was something I could never do - LOL!!

I have also been a SAHM for the past 5 years and had a completely different type of work life before. My mom was diagnosed with cancer in January and very quickly, one nurse made such an impression on me that I went from considering nursing to finding myself in a CNA class a month later. I am now working on a Pediatrics floor and registered as a pre-nursing student. The "I can do this, right?" part that I can so relate to is that I originally got on the computer today to AGAIN look at alternatives to what I feel called to do (because I am afraid of how it will affect my family - all the time, etc.). How odd that God led me to your post..... It seems that his answers are always the same, it's me who keeps wavering. WE CAN DO THIS!! Best of luck to you!!!

[ChrissyLove123]

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

GREAT ADVICE! And here I was trying to take it 1 semester at a time! 1 week at a time seems very doable. I appreciate that & will try to remind myself of it every time I start drifting weeks... months... etc into the future! :0)