Please help.....I'm worried about NS

RNDreamer · Dec 30, 2008

Everyone is different. In my case, I studied for Micro and A&P much harder than I did for some of my nursing classes. How much I studied also depended on the class. If I had a understanding of the topics, then I wouldn't study as much. If I had trouble understanding topics of a particular class, then I studied more. I also made sure to do a lot of NCLEX questions. Definitely get yourself an NCLEX review book. The Saunders book seems to be popular, but there are others as well. I was nervous, too, when I started. Congrats on getting in, good luck and take care!

Hi everyone....
Well I have been accepted to a nursing program that starts this January....everything seems to be all set..I have done pre-reqs, student loans approved, etc....However, I'm truly scared to death!! and now in my weakest moments I'm having second thoughts. Not about nursing school that I want more than anything. but here's my dilema. I'm 39 soon to be 40; so I really want to do this now and not wait. I have two little boys ages 4 and 6; my 6 yr old is in school all day but my younger son is just turning 4 in like two weeks so he is not in school. I didn't get enough in student loans, like I'd hoped, to help offset childcare for my younger son. So, I'll be relying on my mother, my husband, and a mother's day out program for an extra day of study.
My question is this.....is this enough? Please tell me how hard this is going to be....how did it compare with A&P I&II and Micro as far as study time etc......
Thanks in advance :)
Heather

Melinurse · Dec 30, 2008

Sounds very much like my situation. Go for it! I used Mastercard for everything not covered by any other loans. It actually worked out pretty good. Also, work was great for helping me study. All the RNs on the floor would find out what I was studying and give me " pop quizzes " or they'd show me stuff I was studying. I worked with a great bunch of nurses who were there for me. It helped alot because with kids at home sometimes study time can be an issue. Plus I worked full-time at one place and part-time at another so I had to be creative. I would read the material into a tape recorder and as I drove, did laundry, etc. I would listen to tapes to study. Point is, where there is a will there is a way. You'll just have to find what works for you. Good luck.

HeatherTN · Dec 31, 2008

Ok...thanks both of you!! You are both right..I just need to quit freaking out b/c my study time will be limited.....you both had great advice and I appreciate it!! I will focus more on the things I have trouble with and get an NCLEX study guide and the tape recorder idea is great too!!!

Thanks and hugs

Heather

Starfish1 · Dec 31, 2008

the voice recorder is a great thing to have- get one and the Saunders review book- those are my life line for getting through classes!! I usually read the text 2 times, take notes, record the lecture and do TONS of nclex ?'s so get your hands on as many of those as you can- saunders is a GREAT review summary of the material you will learn! nursing school is different than any pre req class in my opinion but you will find your own ways to study that work for you and you will do great! don't stress- enjoy it!:nuke:

HeatherTN · Dec 31, 2008

Ok....you all are really making me feel better :) I really want to do well and I don't mind putting in the study time...I just get to feeling overwhelmed b/c my kids are so young......I just need to focus on what I can do to help study more efficiently since I won't have much study time :)

Hugs!!!

Heather

Sara5229 · Dec 31, 2008

As far as having the little one around... I have a 3 almost 4 year old and he loves to be read too.. so I'll read him a few pages from my text.. lol there's lots of pictures and although he has no idea what i'm talking about if I do it making funny voices he'll sit and listen and I can read at the same time.

jackson145 · Dec 31, 2008

I put way more effort into Micro and A&P than I've ever put into NS. After all, I needed A's in pre-reqs just to get in to NS. Now I just focus on passing!

I've spent very little time reading textbooks and studying. I pay close attention in lecture, make notes on powerpoints when something jumps out at me, and review powerpoints & notes the night before the test.

I've never had so much extra time to be with my kids. When I worked full-time, I was always tired and grouchy and my kids didn't get much out of me.

It'll be rough when school is over in May and I have to re-join the real world!

HeatherTN · Dec 31, 2008

Wow!! I'm so glad I quit tossing this around in my own head and decided to post about it :) you all really have great ideas!! And you are right after feeling soooo exhausted after the pre-reqs it was tough thinking about NS. After reading all of your posts I'm feeling like maybe I can do this :)

Heather

NoviceRN10 · Jan 1, 2009

I have four young kids (8, 6, 4, 4) and I haven't found that nursing school is as scary as many make it out to be. I just finished my first year of a two year program and my family is surviving and so am I :). The toughest part is schlepping the kids to the sitter or latchkey. Thank goodness my kids seem happy in both places when I am at school! My husband has stepped it up and does his share of dropping off, picking up, and cooking. He's almost like a single parent when I need him to be . He's really been supportive :). If you have family to help you out, you are a step ahead of a lot of people. You can do this, it's not as bad as you are thinking it will be. Well, I go to a great school so I hope you do too! That could make a big difference.

HeatherTN · Jan 1, 2009

Thanks for your reply!! I can't believe you have four young children and say it's not that scary....that is truly inspirational :) My mom and husband do help some; well my mother helps out more than my husband. Part of that is his awful work schedule. But we have talked about him helping out a little more with laundry, dinner, baths etc...I still expect to do my fair share but I'm also expecting him to step up a little more than he does Hopefully it will work out that way.

Take care and good luck this spring semester!!

Heather

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Jan 1, 2009

I just wanted to say that you are not alone about being scared/nervous. I am set to start here in 2 and a half weeks myself and I am so antsy/anxious!

Good luck to you!