New and Nervous

[UCFAshley]

Hey everyone! My name is Ashley, I'm 28, and a former college graduate. I live in Goldsboro, NC. I have a 2-year old son and my husband is in the military.

I decided to return to school and attempt a career path in nursing. I always wondered about nursing but was always discouraged to pursue this career because I simply didn't think I would be good enough. My family believing that it wasn't a right career for me didn't help either. This is why I have a degree in Hospitality Management. I am not happy working in hotels. It was fun but never satisfying for me.

I am pretty nervous to start.I think I have a lot of obstacles before me with having a son and a husband with a very unpredictable work schedule. I have ran so many scenarios in my head I am afraid they will hinder my success. For example, what if my husband deploys? I have no family to help out with my son. What if I have to take off too many days from class to care for him? How much studying can accomplish when I am meeting the demands of raising a toddler?

I still have some pre-reqs I need to complete before I can even apply for the LPN program in my area. I skirted some classes and took other classes to complete my B.S. degree. For instance, I took astrology instead of chemistry. So, I need to take BIO, A&P, and CHEM before I can even apply and that makes me nervous. I have never been a straight-A student so I know I have to work extra hard in these classes. Oh! and that is another concern I have. Like the RN program, I am afraid my grades are not competitive enough to even stand a chance against all the other applicants. I know LPN is not as cut throat as the RN program but it still a very real concern of mine. Most of the classes that would be scored to determine acceptance I have earned only B's (maybe an A or 2).

My plan with the LPN program is to use it as a stepping stone for eventually earning my RN or BSN. I thought I would apply for both RN and LPN programs in my area to see (and hopefully) where I would be accepted.

Last tidbit before I close, I decided to keep this decision on the complete "down-low". I chose not to tell my family and the only individuals who know are my husband and one other friend. My best friend doesn't even know. I wanted to do this because I don't need anyone putting doubt in my head. Also, if it is realized that nursing is not right for me (which is a real possibility for anyone), I don't have to explain to anyone my decision why I decided to quit. Maybe that is stupid and maybe I won't follow through with this plan, but I don't need anyone knowing right now.

..I guess maybe there isn' t a real reason behind this post? Maybe I am looking for some encouragement? Words of advice? Any and all are welcome.. I need as much as I can get.

Thanks for 'listening" :)

[Nicole_Elizabeth]

Hi Ashley!

I am also 28! I have an associates degree right now but it is only in general education. I have been in school forever, well it seems that way. I have been trying to get all my pre-reqs out of the way. I am not too far from you in the Greensboro NC area. I know you can just apply to the program by having your CNA, and taking the TEAS V test. I would not advise attacking the beast in that manor. I was just accepted into a PN program in Greensboro. All I need for this degree is NUR 101, 102, and 103. I wanted to do it this way. These NUR classes are severely intimidating me so I wanted to be sure that for the next three semesters they would be my only focus. So my recommendation to you would be to go ahead and take A&P I and II, don't worry about Chem and Bio right now because you don't have to have them to get into the program. FOCUS on A&P. They kicked my ass, Anatomy 1 took me one attempt to get through, I had an amazing professor who knew how to teach I ended up with a C. When I took Anatomy 2 I got a D I am retaking it this semester and I have two more tests to go and I STILL HAVE AN A+ average!!!!!! Getting through these classes is totally doable it just takes hardcore commitment.

Also I think you should totally stop listening to what your family has to say or suggest, no offense, but seriously, you know you best. You know what you can handle and if this is something you have also thought about and the thought has never left you, then I think its really time to look into it. It takes dedication, even to just get into a program. After that we have to survive the progam, AHHHH ... I hope this helps you!! Reply and let me know if you have any other questions about the steps to getting in or if you just need to vent! Take Care!!!

Nicole