Overwhelmed and Underencouraged

FLhusker · Feb 14, 2011

All I can say is, don't settle. If becoming an RN is really what you want then stick to your guns and go for it. It will be worth it in the end. I knew I wanted to become an RN when I was 23 years old....but with kids, life and bills, I couldn't do it. I'm now 42 and I just applied to nursing school. How I wish I could have done it earlier. A few years will go by in a flash. Don't give up and settle for somthing less than what you want!

ncbutterfly · Feb 15, 2011

All I can say is, don't settle. If becoming an RN is really what you want then stick to your guns and go for it. It will be worth it in the end. I knew I wanted to become an RN when I was 23 years old....but with kids, life and bills, I couldn't do it. I'm now 42 and I just applied to nursing school. How I wish I could have done it earlier. A few years will go by in a flash. Don't give up and settle for somthing less than what you want!

I agree with this. You need to keep on keeping on if this is what you really want. It sounds like you may be taking too many classes though. Will it be the end of the world if you don't get in next year? I am in my first semester of pre-req's and I was trying to cram all them into semesters, :eek: it isn't going to work for me. :uhoh3: So I am going to slow down next semester and it will be another year until I can apply but my sanity and my time with my kids is more important.

Good luck to you.:)

NurseToBe3 · Feb 15, 2011

You can do whatever you set your mind to. Don't settle for the LPN program if it's not what you really want. I have three kids, a job, a mortgage payment and an unemployed husband who is also a full time pre-nursing student. I just finished all my pre-recs and applied to all the nursing programs today. It has been a tough journey, but I am optamistic that I will get in somewhere. You can do it too! Don't give up! :)

thenameismac · Feb 16, 2011

even though i am only 22 if i knew at age 17 when i graduated high school that i wanted to be an rn and did the same steps as i've done but years earlier i would be done right now. but it's called the past for a reason. you learn from mistakes and move on. this semester is really hard for me because i work 40 hours and am taking 12 credits. it's hard and the only thing keeping me going is sheer determination. you have to remember why you want to do this and be prepared to jump through those hoops to get there. nothing worth having comes easy. just as the previous post person said, a few years goes by in a flash and before you know it you will be done with this whole nursing school business. you have to do what you have to do to get what you want. hope this makes you feel a bit better.

nevergiveuprn · Feb 16, 2011

I agree with everyone! I am 46 years old and decided it was time to do what I have always dreamed of doing. I work 40 hours and have two children plus tons of bills to worry about. I am taking 4 classes on top of everything else. However, I am determined to get this done. I have wanted to be a nurse my entire life. I got pregnant with my firs child while in college and settle for a business degree instead of the nursing program because it was less demanding. So I gave up years ago and regret it. Now at my old age, I am back and not going to give up! If I can do it, so can you!!!! :yeah:

savnlivzPRN, LVN · Feb 16, 2011

Thank you everyone!!! I feel so much better now... I guess I was just feeling consumed by all that needs to be done... I have re-fixed my eyes on the prize and and going toward it one step at a time!!!

Heart you all!!

aprilmoonflower · Feb 16, 2011

i love this thread and all the encouragement.

i am a 37yo mom of 3 and am just starting at the beginning. (th is is like the 4th time i have decided to go to nursing school and i started prereqs once then quit but i am finally doing it!) somedays i feel too old to be doing this. i have so much i want to do otherwise. but you know what? it CAN be done if we work hard.

don't give up on your dream! you can do it. and if your path is altered so be it. you can still get there one way or another.

:nurse:

FLhusker · Feb 16, 2011

Moonflower,

Don't feel old. I am 42 (w/4 kids) and have finally gotten around to doing what I've always wanted to to. Just today, I got an invitation to interview to my top choice of nursing schools. I'm so excited, and a little scared...but I think all of the stress and work will be worth it in the end.

savnlivzPRN, LVN · Feb 16, 2011

All of you women are so strong and I am so proud to be a part of a field with colleages like y'all!! I'm so amazed how all of you regardless of age, time and situation still make the conscious effort to back to school when it works best!! Now that's determination!!! KUDOS!!

aprilmoonflower · Feb 16, 2011

congratulations! that is wonderful!

Moonflower,
Don't feel old. I am 42 (w/4 kids) and have finally gotten around to doing what I've always wanted to to. Just today, I got an invitation to interview to my top choice of nursing schools. I'm so excited, and a little scared...but I think all of the stress and work will be worth it in the end.

zbb13 · Feb 16, 2011

It sounds like you may need to slow down a little. I applaud you for your drive, but you can't burn the candle at 4 ends! Don't give up. I am not young, I have a family, and I had to wait an extra year to get in the program. I didn't get in b/c I was 1 class short. I realize now how I needed that year and it was a blessing I had it. Also, my youngest is now a year older, and it makes a huge difference. Good luck! You will get there!!