Sneaky Chicken

I am the mother of five children ranging from 11 to 19. I am just finishing my last year of my 3 year degree and have just found out I have a graduate position in a well known Melbourne hospital. I can tell you it has been really really hard. Studying with children in your care is really difficult. But it's worth it. There is nothing like that feeling of achievement when you make it to the end. I think my study has influenced my kids choices as far as study and a good work ethic is concerned. They seem to be learning by example which is great! I try to spend time with them after school and try to keep to a fairly good routine of dinner at the table and make sure I have time to talk when they need it. That means staying up later to do my study but it seems to be working. They seem to know that I am there for them and if I focus on them straight after school they get their fill and then wander off instead of bothering me all the time. I let them know when there are times that they can't disturb me if I have an online test or a big assignment. I find that if I set times ..like I need to be studying for an hour but then I will be able to answer questions/help with homework/have a snack and a chat then they are pretty good. Kids like routine and guidelines. Good luck and don't lose heart. You can do it!

As long as you are really sure you want to be a nurse then go for it. Nursing is NOT for the faint hearted. I am a third year student and I am absolutely exhausted. All the brains in the world will not get you through unless you really want it. So go get it girl!

That's fantastic, and you know, you have 'passed it forward' because in all probability there is someone out there who is waving themselves, will read your message and keep going. Well done and Congratulations.

Yeah I think you are right it's good to be positive and have belief in yourself. I think its also impossible to be a superwoman or super Mum and when the time comes that your belief wavers or you are not feeling so strong, that's when the support of your community kicks in. Communities like this one. People should be encouraged to feel that they can communicate their angst, talk through tough situations and just have a cry without people expecting them to just suck it up and get on with it. I think there is room for a balanced view in this discussion. We rely on each other, we work in a caring profession so we need to be as gentle with each other as we are with our patients.

OMG I had to google what you guys meant by "the Q word" then I rolled my eyes cos I already knew. Ha ha ha ha ha

As a nursing student I feel like I am tied to my computer. I would like to sneak out of the window and get my old life back. The computer can stay where it is.

Look how much energy you have already spent on this awful day. I think it's time to walk away from the hurt that she caused you because it's still causing you pain. The more energy you give it the more pain you will have. YOU know that you are a good student. You know that you didn't do anything wrong. You need to believe in yourself. Be positive, remember why you are at nursing school in the first place and keep your eye on the prize, which is your degree. This will be a small blip in your career path. Don't give it more attention that it deserves.

My heart is breaking for the people of Oklahoma. We have news coverage of it here in Melbourne, Australia and I have seen the immense courage of the rescuers, the teachers, the parents and the surviving children. Much love to them all. May their courage endure beyond this horror into the long days of recovery and rebuilding.