No one thinks I can do it!

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I am a mother to a 9 month old baby boy and soon to be married. I start school for pre nursing this fall. I have been sooo excited about it..I love to discuss my future goals and dreams to other people. When they ask me what I am going to school for they look at me like there is no way I could ever become a nurse. Some have responeded "Nursing is hard with a baby, I would be suprised if you could do it." "I don't know if the time right now for you" "Oh really? You are going into nursing? That is really hard you know?" I don't know why people keep saying these things to me. It really discourages me to the point that sometimes I wonder if I CAN really do it. When I told my parents I am starting school for nursing this fall, they weren't even excited for me. They said "I see..." and that was the extent of the conversation.... I am very motivated and can't wait for school but no longer want to discuss my dreams with people because of the reaction i have been getting.. Has anyone else been under my circumstances and been discouraged by other people about going into nursing school? Any advice?

Specializes in None.

Think of those comments and questions as a challenge! As someone else said, use them to fuel your drive and determination!

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Really, it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks about your abilities...what do YOU think about your abilities? That's what is important.

If someone said to me (as in your post) that becoming a nurse with a baby is really hard and they don't think you can do it, I would say, "Yeah, being a nice and encouraging person is really hard; I don't think YOU can do THAT!" And then I would walk away.

One of my all-time favorite quotes is from John Wood, formerly of Microsoft:

"A lot of people will try to talk you out of pursuing your dream. The world has too many people who are happy to discuss why something might not work, and too few who will cheer you on and say, 'I'm there for you.' The more time you spend navel-gazing, the longer you give those negative gravitational forces to keep you in their tether.... If there is something out there that you want to do...don't focus on the obstacles. Don't ask for permission. Just dive in."

I actually have that on my fridge so I see it every day!

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I am in a similar boat as you. Half of my family thinks I am not serious about becoming a nurse, but the ones that matter the most, my husband, dad and mother in law all believe I can do it. I was at a point where I thought about becoming a nurse, but thought I couldn't do it, so one day I jokingly said something to my husband and he thought it was a wonderful idea and told me I could do it. I then called up my dad, my hardest critic, and when he told me he had no doubt I could do it, I decided to go for it. My mom was like, oh ok, and just brushes it off. I am the type of person who likes to prove people wrong.

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I started my nursing prereqs last August when my son was only 6 mos old. Take it from me, you can do it. I quit my full-time career to make this career change...that was most scary because I was making more money than my husband. But he saw how miserable I was in my career, so I'm fortunate that he (and everyone else) is supportive.

You need to stand your ground and shut down the naysayers. Understand that you will be sacrificing your family life as you know it, so make sure your fiance is on board and is willing to put in extra time with the baby. The most stressful thing for me is not the studying part--I don't mind it at all, it's finding the time to study because my husband is not the greatest at pitching in time with the kids. Organization is probably the most crucial component. My chem teacher used to say anyone could be an A-B student if you put in the time.

It's been less than a year since I went back to school, and I was accepted into a BSN program that is to start next month. The school is an hour and 45 minutes away, but everyone that know me says that if I'm dedicated enough, to just go for it rather than waiting around for another school. People say that because they know me well enough to see me as a nurse. The people around you must not know what your all about, but don't worry...When you start school, you'll find a good support system in your peers.

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congratulations! it's a great field your about to enter! yes indeed it's very intense and having a baby around will make things a bit harder, but everything in life worth having is hard. just like the other posters have said, just come here when you need the support your lacking. but really once you get going with school you'll meet your little batch of nursing support buddies and they can offer you all the support you'll ever need. i just think it really intimidates or makes some people jealous when people such as yourself are excited and dedicated to a certain path in life. just think of it that way. they just didn't have the direction you have at such a young age so don't know how to properly support you. tune um out and chug on forward. of course you can do it. many others have done it before you and many others will go on when your done. your in good company! best of luck to you and again congrat's for picking this field :w00t:

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Make them your reason to suceed, not your excuse for failure. I've had my own fair share of people that have put me down and discouraged me. I've been kicking myself in the pants for not applying to nursing school years ago when I first left home for school. I've been accepted to a practical nursing program after trying to get in for 2 years and with having 5 kids counting on me, one of the pledges I made to my self to be able to give them what they need on my own will happen.

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I'm sorry people suck, lol. I'm lucky to have a lot of support, and I'm doing it with 5 kids!!! You CAN do it. I do suggest getting the wedding done first though, b/c you don't want/can't miss much school when you get accepted into nursing. Ignore comments though, make sure you have a great babysitter with back-ups in case your primary sitter gets sick, and put your mind on your work and you can do it girl! Good luck!!!

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Please dont let others determine your future! You CAN do it, as long as you want it bad enough. It is no doubt a challenging feet that requires a lot of sacrifices. As long as you sacrifice the right things, you are good to go!

My personal experience- i am a single mom of two boys, one of which iss intellectually impaired and has numerous health and behavior issuez. I worked full time on an acute psych unit in an inner city hospital during my prereqs. I took many online and of course it took me a bit longer. The outcome? I got a 3:8 gpa and got accepted into an accelerated clinical program whic im currently completing.

Sure, your social life will suck, but it is VERY possible. Best of luck to you.

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I am currently in the Financial field and decided to change my career. I will be starting my AAS-rn Program this monday and I am sooooo excited. I already have a BA and this will be my 2nd degree in a totally different field. Deep down I think I was always interested in Nursing but didnt have the courage to pursue. I had an ephinay and decided to pursue this career. Some people where discouraging when i told them my decision. Thing is I know what I want and willing to go after it....

Nursing here i Come!!!!

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Specializes in Psychiatric, MICA.

I am 52, work full time, have had my RN for a couple of years and am attending school for my BS with 16 credits this semester. I suggest that you will only know for sure when you have done it, so it is probably time to tune them out.

D

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you chose to have a baby and that is whats most important.

if you decide to go to nursing school your baby will be neglected, unless you have grandparents or babys dad to watch your baby several hours a day.

if there is that support--then it works--if not--you'll be miserable cause your baby will affect everything.

you are not on the front burner anymore--your baby is--you are on the back burner.

wait til the baby is in kindergarten.

if you go to nursing school and get student loans to pay for babysitting, etc. you will be paying that loan off for decades.

stay on the back burner and enjoy being a mother--your baby needs you more than the nursing community.

you can always go to school--you wont always have the opportunity to spend this precious time with your baby.

selfish is as selfish does!!!!!

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hey! use their put-downs to get you through school.! I love to show people who didn't believe in me I could really do it! I'm sure you'd love that energy.

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