OnePostAndDone

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone and all of their responses and your well wishes. I will likely be quoting some of you, but just a general thank you to all who posted and I really genuinely do appreciate that you would take the time to fill me in on how you've balanced nursing school, your careers, and your lives. Thank you. I would also like to point out that there were a couple posts directed toward me in a negative like and, I honestly completely understand where these sentiments are coming from. Upon posting, I realized that some of what I said may have been easily viewed as being insensitive or inflammatory. Obviously, it wasn't my intention to come across that way, but I apologize to anyone I may have offended with my original post. I absolutely do not wish to become a controlling, or possessive boyfriend. This was one reason I posted here: to gain insight into ways that I could be as supportive as possible for my girlfriend when I know I will be hardly seeing her. I have never asked her to choose another career, and I never would. She wants this more than anything, and I'd never stand in the way of another person, and especially one that I love, of a career goal. However, I would like to suggest that if I didn't miss my girlfriend; if there wasn't some level of concern for not being able to see her for long stretches - couldn't you conversely argue that maybe the relationship wasn't meant to last for very long? I appreciate the comments regarding ways to help her through this. I have and hope to continue to provide her with food, studying aides, and as much help as she's willing to take. She absolutely hates asking for help though so sometimes it's a little tough to be supportive. She and I are both very young still, and so we don't live together. As such, seeing her is truly limited, and we tend not to meet save for if our work schedules overlap. That's why I really enjoy seeing comments about how the time together becomes more valuable and that it's what we make of it. Very true words. Maybe my favorite comment: . I know I'm going to catch some flak for saying it and I'd never say it to my girlfriend, but sometimes the few moments we get together are like this. I thank you for being so honest and forthcoming with that as I thought I was losing my mind.Thanks again for all the comments from everyone. I want to say congratulations to everyone who has finished their nursing degrees and have had successful careers and good luck to anyone who commented who may still be working towards one. I also want to congratulate everyone who has managed to have relationships last through nursing school and perhaps despite schedules that conflict. Two things I get from that a.) you are very special men and women and your loved ones knew that and b.) your loved ones are pretty good people too, you know? I'm sorry to anyone whose relationships may not have last through nursing school or afterwards. I've read some comments about people growing apart, possessive husbands, and the sort. Best way I could look at is, it wasn't meant to be and you're better off now. I am confident that you are all still very happy and hope the best for you. I believe (and of course hope) my girlfriend and I are meant to be. If you hear from me again, I'm hoping that it's to inform all of you that we made it through. One last time: thanks.

Hi, I'm very new to the Forum and I've spent some time reading various threads on the subject I'm about to touch on. I've decided to post probably for my own reassurances, but also mainly to vent a little bit about a situation I am currently experiencing. I'm hoping some of the individuals here will be able to help me and let me know what I can reasonably expect in the future. I'm hoping for some of my fears and worries to be put to rest as well. I am not studying to become a nurse; my girlfriend is. I'm studying to become a high school science teacher. I ultimately made this decision for the personal gratification that comes with teaching, but also because I wanted to have the time and the schedule to give the most to my future spouse and family. I believe teaching will allow this. I love my girlfriend with all of my heart and she intends to become a RN and work in a hospital here in New York. She's a very diligent student, and I was never really aware of the level of dedication required to do well in nursing school. That said, I've essentially been told that I will see very, very little of her for approximately the next three years (the time it will take her to finish the degree), at least. And possibly beyond. Needless to say, I'm incredibly concerned, a little hurt, and frankly a little frustrated. That said, I would love to hear stories of members here with nursing careers who have been able to balance work and life; I would love to hear that you often see your spouses, spend good quality time together, perhaps even go out or on vacation here and there. Please let me know that it's possible to have a normal relationship, or married life with another individual and a career in nursing. I am sure that the two aren't mutually exclusive, but it currently feels that way a little bit now. Three years (or more) of a "Dear John" situation is a little tough to swallow right now even despite the fact that I love this woman quite a lot. Thank you for your time and consideration. I really do appreciate any and all input from everyone who may choose to write a response. If you happen to include some unhappy information, that's okay too, I really do need to hear about all the possibilities I could resonably expect here. And since I can't help but throw in a few emoticons: I :redbeathe a