Easgaskins

I am a single parent with a 6 and 2 year old. My six year old is in kindergarten in a special needs program, diagnosed with Autism at 28 months. My 2 year old stays with my parents while I am in school. My day begins at 5a when my 6yr old wakes, and ends close to midnight when homework and study are as complete as I can manage, sleep is essential. I read through assignments aloud, sometimes recording them so that i can listen to them while i am unable to read. I am currently not working, depending on financial aid, scholarships, child support, and loans to help me through because I just don't have the skill available to manage any more. I am in class from 8a-4p M-F, its a full time job, and I have labs 2x/wk. Depending on the school, and the classes that you are taking will depend on what kind of schedule you will have. Good luck in working out your schedule. It is always easier when there is support in your education.

You are in the program for the right reason, regardless of your age. You are curious, adaptive, and willing. Speed bumps are there to slow you down, to make you appreciate what you are working towards, they are not stop signs. Persistence pays off in the end. Keep up the good work and think about all of the people that will benefit from your experience. I am 32 and back in school to further my nursing training. I want my children to be proud of me, and I will not be a quitter. I am working part-time, have a 6 year old Autistic daughter, a two year old daughter, an annoying ex-husband (now a single parent), and I am a full time Nursing student. Negative comments and thoughts take away precious space for knowledge. Get rid of them. You are doing great, and you just have to remember that you do not have to do it all at once, or alone, just keep at it and you will get there!

thank you. temporary is the key. things will improve. i just have a speedbump that i have to slow down for right now. sometimes when you make a list of all of the things that you have to accomplish, it becomes overwhelming. i don't have to do it all at once, or do it alone. others have accomplished the task i have chosen, i have to work on my management skills. my children are very important to me. i am going to school to make them proud of me and to be able to provide support for them as they age. i will check out some of these other resources to help me with my childcare issue. i have childcare offered through my school, but there are certain requirements such as potty training. my 2yr old is potty trained enough to tell me that she has to go, and stays dry, but she has not mastered taking her clothes down or using the toilet paper yet. thank you for your suggestions to help me down my path.

I have been a CNA for 13 years. I love to work in rehab. It is wonderful to know that you have helped someone get better. (usually). It is also neat to learn different mechanisms for improving someone's abilities. Good luck in finding an area that fits you.

I took my CNA exam in Indiana in 98, then I moved to Missouri and had to take a skills test, then I moved back to Indiana in 06 and had to take another skills test. Now I have practice, but in the beginning, my class had some practical jokers, but they actually helped me remember some things. You should practice atleast once on each task outside of school if possible. Sometimes the instructor will make time to see you to practice a skill if you ask. Asking is one of the things that will make or break you as a CNA. Some people are too proud to ask for help and don't stay in the field long. Remember to wash you hands, and talk through all procedures, even if noone is in the room. It will be major helpful when you have to do it in front of others.

i am actually staying with my parents, but i pay for my mom to watch the kids for me when i am away, but she is going through her own problems with ptsd, depression, and backpain right now. i moved in with them because they said that they would help me as long as i go to school, but i am beginning to feel unappreciative and unappreciated. i know that if i move out, i will have more expenses that i can not manage, but i feel stuck in a bad situation. it makes me want to stop going to school.

i am returning to school after a divorce. i am enrolled for my bsn and have begun the nursing program. i have 2 daughters. my six year old has been diagnosed with autism and i have a two year old. i am a single parent; their father is 4 hours away. i am having a difficult time with a babysitter willing to work around my school hours then having any time at all to get the assignments completed. i have therapy with my 6yr old 2x/wk. i am working one weekend a month to keep my job, but it doesn't bring in much income. child support is helpful with groceries and rent. i have been lucky that my family has kept hand-me-downs for my girls. i am overwhelmed with all that there is to do. any ideas of ways i can accomplish everything without having a breakdown?

sometimes you just need a break to put things into perspective. go to nursing school while you are young. i am 32 now, and have been a c.n.a. for 12 years and am now going back for my bsn. i have two little children now, and wish i had done this right out of high school. i haven't used algebra in 15 years, and learning it again wasn't that easy. it is much easier to do with fresh information. there are many parts to the nursing profession, if you go through the schooling, you can choose where you want to go if things are not what you expected. when i saw that they have rn's on cruiseships, in resorts, dr. offices, hospitals, and all over the place, i was astounded by the choices that i could use my career choice towards. go for it, the only failing is not trying for that which you have a passion.

i really enjoyed your post. i have been a nursing assistant for 12 years and am going back to school for my bsn. i have noticed that keeping a positive attitude is difficult among my peers as well. when we have meetings or are together the discussion usually moves towards complaint. i have been asked on numerous occasions "what are you smiling about?". it seems that society is looking at a smile as a disease, if someone is smiling then there is something wrong with them. i have been an outsider at work because of my attitude as well. i wish you luck in spreading the disease of happiness and hopefully it catches on. the job is difficult and we deal with many unhappy/ill individuals on a daily basis, it is nice to know that there are actually nurses out there that can manage stress and be positive.

Nursing is a rewarding profession. You are always busy, needed, and learning. It can be stressful in many ways. If it is something you are serious about, don't let others build a wall for you. There are enough obstacles in the way just to become a nurse.