LFerren

I am a brand new nursing student, just admitted into my school's program a couple of months ago. I'm terrified. Let me give you some background... I started college as an English Education major. Decided I couldn't grade papers for the rest of my life, so I switched to Art Education, decided I couldn't grade artwork for the rest of my life. (At 17, do you really know what you want to do?). So, I switched (again) to Sociology, but who really wants to do research? Finally, I decided to take some time off and decide what it was I really wanted to do. After a series of unfortunate events, I became a financially independant adult. Suddenly responsible for rent, car insurance, phone, groceries etc., I figured I had better get a degree so I could actually pay my bills without counting down the days until my next paycheck. I started working as a receptionst at a radiology clinic and fell in love with the medical field. It's a mystery, especially in radiology--A patient comes in, presenting any number of symptoms, you run some tests, you ask some questions, you spend some time with your patient, then you decide how to make them better. The puzzle part of it all was beautiful. You get to actually have a hand in making people feel better, and isn't that what everyone wants to do; help people? So, i got back in college. I decided nursing was the route I needed to take. I got into all the pre-reqs--chemistry, biology, intro to nursing, human development... And I actually got in! I couldn't believe my stroke of good luck. I had worked so hard for this, and it was finally paying off. I smiled so hard I cried, I smiled so hard my face ached, I smiled so hard I actually called people I hadn't spoken to in years, just so I could hear them smiling with me. I GOT IN!! Now, what? I'm terrified. I've struggled to make A's in chem and bio and all the other pre-reqs. I've made it, sure, but now I have to actually make it through. Because of my financial situation, I am obligated to work full time in order to pay for bills and pay for school. I'm sure there are other people who have been in my shoes--How did you do it??? I'm struggling in the first semester... What do I do to be successful in my 5th and last semester? I know I must sound very childish, I just feel as if I have finally found my passion. I'm scared I won't be able to realize it all now that I'm in and am obligated to so much time and money. Any tips and nuggets of wisdom would be greatly appreciated... -Lexi