Never Giving Up...

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I decided to go back to school about a year ago... After 13 years in a field I didn't care for I was finally given the opportunity to go to nursing school.

I've always wanted to be a nurse, my mother was a nurse. She was the most amazing, beautiful woman I have ever known. She gave everything for her girls and her patients. Unfortunately, a car accident took her from us when I was 10 years old. It was the worst day of our lives...

Nevertheless, her girls grew up to be strong, loving women. I started nursing prerequisites right out of high school--but I goofed off. Before I knew it I was going to have a baby and had to find a job to support the baby and I quickly. That's how I ended up in accounting. It was a good paycheck and kept us afloat--but I was never happy. Fortunately, I was laid off on April Fool's Day 2011. I was devastated.

My fiance' suggested I take the opportunity and go back to school to be a nurse. He was able to turn a bad situation into a promising future. I started summer 2011, retook all of my A&P, Micro, Pharm ASAP to qualify for my local community college's ADN program. This program is the same program my mother graduated from back in 1982.

When Spring 2012 rolled around, I was out of ADN pre-req's to take but I had to take at least 12 hours for financial aid. So, I ended up taking pre-req's for the BSN program I planned to enroll in after finishing the ADN program.

I've always been a "mostly B with A's mixed-in" student. My GPA isn't bad but it isn't marvelous. Prior to Spring it was a 3.4. Organic Chemistry really "ate my lunch" this semester. I ended up with a D in the class. My first D ever... Unfortunately, that D has set me back quite a bit. I will not be able to apply at the other 2 schools with a D on my transcript (and hope to get in) and it doesn't look like my mother's alma matter is going to happen...

A classmate in my Patho class told us she received her acceptance letter last Tuesday. I hoped mine was coming in the mail (just being slow about it). Today I heard that several more of my classmates received theirs last week as well. I am heartbroken, sad, and a little discouraged.

But... I know in my heart nursing is my path in life. I was put on this earth to care and give to others. I'm an intelligent, caring person (and that's hard to see on a transcript). It may be next semester, next year--I don't know. But I will succeed and I will be the kind of nurse to make my mother proud...

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Good for you for not giving up! I say take I chem this summer then apply in the fall. I have been there in your spot, and it set me back but not for good! Last fall I thought I was all set to enter this spring but did not get picked after the whole process including interview! I was heartbroken and very discouraged too. I picked myself up, dusted myself off and pushed onward! I applied again, and boy did it feel awesome to finally get that acceptance letter! Good luck to you, I hope you come up with a solid plan and get in too!

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Im glad you wrote this. I think its inspiring. You walking in the footsteps of your mom is probably one of the best feelings! I lost my mom when I was barely 16 & was/is the hardest thing to go through. Im barely starting my adventure as to become a nurse because I have a family & financial issues but Im not going to give up either! i find your post very inspiring!!!

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Specializes in Geriatric and Mental Heath.

It's easy to keep going when nothing stands in your way. It's takes will and determination to stare a setback down and stomp on it. When things come easy, most take them for granted. You hear about some 4.0 gpa applicants who fail out the first year? They never had it rough and can't deal with adversity. That's won't be you. You can do this!

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Wow. Well said! My mother too is a nurse and she is so proud that I am following in her footsteps. I too feel that becoming a nurse is what I am meant to be. Your mom is looking down from heaven and I guarantee she is proud of you and your tenacity. Let your ability to overcome be your inspiration. Best of luck.

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thanks so much for all of the encouragement. i was a little hesitant to post something this personal. i have to admit, i really don't have anyone to talk about nursing things with. my fiance' is in afghanistan and i don't want to worry him. so, being able to reach out to others who are going through similar experiences is a blessing!

julesmama28--i am enrolled and ready to tackle o chem again starting june 4th! that professor is going to get tired of me :0) & taraann91--losing someone so close is something you'll never quite "get over" but i promise you--it will not be a crutch for you; it will be a motivation like no other... i think of her every single day and i know she is watching over my girls and i. to be able to help someone be inspired warms my heart, you are strong!

darkstar & shorty-- i've always rooted for the little guys and the underdogs; there's just something special about people who get knocked down but get back up better than before. (just never counted myself as one of them--lol).

i read your responses with a tear in my eye. i've always said it's ok to cry--just as long as you dry it up and move on! good things are in store...

:nurse: :heartbeat

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Thank you for your post......it has given me much needed inspiration. My mother died when I was just 5 and my father passed when I was 18. I had to work full time while taking my prereqs. For the past 3 years I have been working on my prereqs and have finally completed them. My GPA isn't that bad, but it isn't great either (3.2).I have failed the TEAS once already, but will be retaking soon. I am very frustrated, but reading your post has given me hope. Thank you

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Good for you for going after something you really want! I applied to my schools nursing program recently and was denied for this fall and was pretty much devestated. It hit me alot harder than I thought it would. I'm kind of in your boat as well, I just finished all my schools pre-reqs this spring and plan on taking classes this fall for a BSN program as a plan b. I'm not sure when I will offically start nursing school, but I just recently applied for next spring, so who knows. Your story is very inspiring. Sorry that you lost your mother at such a young age, I can imagine that was very hard. My mom lost her mom when she was about 12 and I know from talking to her its a very hard thing to go through. Good luck to you, and don't give up!:cheers:

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Don't give up! I am in the same boat and almost gave up too :) I want to be a nurse so bad that I tried taking nursing classes in Spanish (I live with my Honduran husband in Costa Rica)....needless to say I was lost. I started taking my prereqs online, and when I finally finished: my fingerprint card had already expired. I went to the local police station and they did them in blue which is not accepted of course. I ordered another packet. Once I received the packet a few weeks later I had to take two buses and travel over an hour to get to the main police station. They completed the prints and said I would have to come back the next day to pick them up. I picked them up and sent them off: few weeks later found out they were lost in the mail.

I was finally able to come up with the money to go and take the HESI and do the prints back home in AZ. Passed HESI with flying colors, but eight weeks later back in Costa Rica I called the Dept. of public Safety and they said the prints were not accepted for being too light, dark, or smudged. I called the nursing dept. and asked for another fingerprint card: lost in the mail. Two days ago I told my parents....I give up lol Yesterday I figured nope I can't wimp out now hehe so I took the morning off and traveled to the police station thinking that their cards were very similar. The cards were arranged completely different and the guard said new rule, no prints unless you bring a passport picture AND we have to certify any card going out so you will HAVE to return the next day.

I am so frustrated and "wilted" at this point but I know that the "obstacles" that we are overcoming now will only make us appreciate what we have when we have it THAT MUCH MORE :)

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Yes, Please don't ever give up in life. The best thing to do is observe people in any career, volunteer, ask questions. figure out who you are inside and what you like. Once you do that go for the career in the health care field that suits you best. I love people, old and young. I'm friendly open, happy, and want people to feel better. Nursing or cna is something I do enjoy alot... SO NEVER GIVE UP....

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Follow your dreams :)

I retake many courses, and keep applied many times...many times...finally got accepted !

if not this time, it will be next time ! :)

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I know its unnecessarily hard now, but don't give up.

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