What sacrifices will you make? / How hungry are you?

Idiosyncratic, BSN, RN · May 25, 2013

Kudos to you! That is amazing. Sure, it took you some time to realize it, but hey at least you realized it at all. I've personally known of people who stick with those jobs, and don't go anywhere. But don't feel too bad. Although I'm younger than you, it took me 5 years of wasted college classes(which I guess weren't really a waste - they showed me what I wanted and allowed me to get some pre requisite courses out of the way) before I realized that this is what I wanted to do. Now I won't be entering until at earliest Spring of 2015.

But, it's the motivation that makes it count. It's the dedication. Realizing that this is what you want to do. For that, I congratulate you! You're no longer wandering aimlessly.

Stephalump · May 25, 2013

When I was a stay at home mom, we lived a comfortable life. But once I decided to go to nursing school, the addition of child care expenses for 3 children brought us to the world of "paycheck to paycheck." We cut out every extra expense we could (no more television, no more eating out, etc) and paid off all of our debt. I hunted down every scholarship I could find so school would be paid for, and saved saved saved.

I had serious doubts that we could do it, but now I'm halfway through and we've survived :-)

The biggest sacrifice has been time with my family. I probably see my kids about 25% of the amount of time I used to. I see my husband even less since he frequently has to schedule his work for the times I'm home. I'm grateful his bosses have been so understanding!

NCmcMan · May 25, 2013

When I was a stay at home mom, we lived a comfortable life. But once I decided to go to nursing school, the addition of child care expenses for 3 children brought us to the world of "paycheck to paycheck." We cut out every extra expense we could (no more television, no more eating out, etc) and paid off all of our debt. I hunted down every scholarship I could find so school would be paid for, and saved saved saved.
I had serious doubts that we could do it, but now I'm halfway through and we've survived :-)
The biggest sacrifice has been time with my family. I probably see my kids about 25% of the amount of time I used to. I see my husband even less since he frequently has to schedule his work for the times I'm home. I'm grateful his bosses have been so understanding!

Don't worry, Your almost there. Better times ahead :)

PMFB-RN, RN · May 25, 2013

Recently, at the age of 33 (to be 34 in July) "the light" went off. I have been searching my whole life for a purpose. I have been working a menial job, while trying to get by. I thought that this was it for me. All of the years of self loathing and feelings of worthlessness have done nothing for me except balloon me up to 500 lbs and make me feel like a horrible person. I don't know how it happened, but it just clicked for me. I decided that I want to be an RN. Now, nothing else matters. This is my goal and I will do whatever I have to do to make it happen. I haven't ever felt this motivated in my entire life. At some point I wanted to get into law enforcement, but I no longer care about that. I have many hurdles to overcome for sure. Firstly, I've never been a good student. I dropped out of high school back in 1997. I only recently got my GED 3 years ago. I was so intimidated by going for that. When I got there, I realized Hmm, this isn't that hard. It was all about going and doing. Now, I am ready to move onto the next part of my life. I know pre nursing is going to be hard for me, but I refuse to let that get me down. I plan on going to ALL of my classes, and even organizing study groups so that all of us will be able to challenge and test ourselves. I probably won't be able to afford a tutor, but I will definitely ask questions here on this forum when I need help. I am also now on a very strict diet. I have been counting my calories and making sure that I am not eating more than I should. There is no room for failure. As with a lot of you, I wasn't born into a family that has a lot of money. In fact, my family has NO money. Basically, before I can go to to nursing school, I will have to save about 7 or 8 grand so that I will have a cheap room to live in somewhere. If necessary, I will apply to every community college in America until somebody accepts me into their program. I will will work part time flipping burgers, mopping toilet stalls, dig ditches, or whatever. I'll even go on food stamps, and I'm a proud man. So basically, I will do WHATEVER it takes to get into nursing school, pass and then pass my NCLEX exam. I am just curious if anyone here is in a similar boat as I am. Are any of you folks super poor without support? I feel like It would just be a relief to hear from some of you guys. Thanks for listening.
Josh

*** Right on brother! It is exciting to see a student with such passion and ambition. I see so many nursing students who are apathetic. I would love to precept a student who had real passion for nursing and was willing to work hard like you are.

I too was a high school drop out. I tried in high school but just couldn't "get it". I remember my teacher telling my mother "he is just too dumb to learn". Turns out I have dyslexia. I didn't find that out until I was in the army. Now I am an RN, BSN, CCRN with a great job making well over 6 figures (not counting OT). I graduated nursing school and later a BSN program with a perfect 4.0. My family was poor too but lucky for me I was able to get into the army and that set me up to pay for college.

Curious what state you are in?

RHill9919 · May 27, 2013

Excellent conversation guys! I can definitely relate to you saying something just went off in your head and it's all you can think about. I am 27 and hold a B.S. in psychology. I wanted to do medschool since high school! My husband is in the navy and we live in Japan. I was planning on applying when we move back to the U.S. in a few years...Last year, I don't know what happened. I realized I was nuts and did not have any interest in being a doctor! I want to be a nurse. I feel like it's my calling (I imagine that sounds super corny), but hell it's the truth. I'm obsessive about it. I am on this website multiple times a day. I was really down in the dumps about not being able to start nursing school until we move back to the states in 3 years ....and then...I figured it out. There is no telling where the Navy will send my husband in 3 years, could stay here for all we know. So we decided that for the sake of my passion (and sanity) I am going to return to the U.S. early to attend a nursing program. So you asked what sacrifices we've all made and that is mine.

also, i am very hungry at the moment.

NCmcMan · May 28, 2013

RIte on, thanks for those kind words, if your teacher could see you now, huh? :)