TiniestLights

I wish I could offer advice but I just wanted to say I wish you well and applaud you for being self-aware. You sound dedicated and intelligent and I hope you find your niche. I am sure it is out there.

Really happy for you- it sounds like you really deserve these opportunities. Thank you for sharing your experiences and recommendations and thanks to others for giving insight. Learned a lot in this thread.

Hi all I just want to share some thoughts. Allnurses has been such an insanely enlightening forum for me and I have learned so much just by mostly lurking for so long. I want to give a huge shout out to every single person who gives thoughtful, candid, funny, touching, insightful, intelligent, REAL advice and experience on here because it is truly appreciated. I feel at this point that I have danced around with nursing for long enough. It is my passion and I don't need to question myself any longer. In the past I felt overwhelmed with how long it would take, juggling emotions from personal experience/grief, being a new Mom, etc upon etc. I kept letting a doubting voice whisper that I should pursue something easier, something quicker, something that satisfies external practical situations. Although there is something to be said about that, I believe now that in the long run, internal peace is most meaningful and will help translate to external peace, if that makes sense? It will take patience, it will be extremely challenging, but I am meant to be a nurse through and through. The sense of urgency I felt is lifting. There is no need to rush. I will take my time, do my best in each class, plod along, learn, and grow. I look forward to my path to becoming an RN. Okay, sorry this is so long! Anyone who feels like sharing their journey, please feel free!

I truly appreciate your insight, verene!❤

Hi everyone, I am in a bit of a dark place and I could really use some guidance. A brief background: Became interested in nursing after being my dad's sole caregiver for his 2.5 year battle with pancreatic cancer. I took A&P 1 last spring and got an A. In May, my dad passed. In August, I had my son (our first). Quite a year. I began getting overwhelmed with how long it would take me to obtain my RN. Decided to apply to MSW program thinking it could be a good compromise into the field and still be a focus of helping others. I was accepted and I started the program a month ago. So far, it has been a big disappointment. The two classes haven't been as challenging as I hoped and many of the folks seem (I am sorry to sound insensitive) lazy and just trying to get by doing the bare minimum. I am confused now. I feel like I made a mistake with this program in a way. I loved A&P, which surprised me b/c I was always an English/Art gal growing up. With my grief and being a new parent, I am often on an emotional rollercoaster. I feel like I am a quitter and/or fickle. Can anyone shed any light? Thank you so much.

Go get 'em, Lovinmy_curls! Hope you enjoy the program! Which university will you be obtaining your BSN through?

musingmom: You bring up some good points- we really need to get our childcare plan together. I am embarassed to admit we haven't really contemplated that too seriously yet. I wouldn't say we have tons of family options so yeah, we need to think about this seriously for the upcoming months. It will work out but wow, it is crazy how fast time has gone.... Thank you so much for your thoughts. Spidey's mom: Go you- I bet your family was so proud of you! I am 33, so I am thinking you began your studies not too far from where I am. It is daunting but I really appreciate the perspective you and others have shared, in that life will move along, things will get done, and goals will be achieved as long as you keep working toward everything at the best pace for you and your life. And yeah, I have heard good things about that pump! I hope insurance will cover it... I just want to thank everyone again:up: You each have helped me get a grip on things- it is much appreciated.

GrnTea: That is a great idea- I have been meaning to look up La Leche League:).

That is so awesome. Thank you for the pump tips:up: How did you try different ones out? I was thinking I would go through my insurance to either rent from hospital or ideally buy if it is covered/almost all covered, but in either instance, I wonder if I'd be able to switch it up if one wasn't a love connection...?

Thank you so much for the encouraging reply:)! It is really such an exciting time. I got a Boba wrap and I am still learning how to pretzel it around myself, but hopefully it will help because yes, I hear you on the baby-wearing- thank you for the suggestion. I am so psyched to meet our little guy. I think you are right. I can just knock out Nutrition online over the Winter if I want to- that class has no bearing on applying for NS, so why fluff up life with unnecessary stress when I should be focusing on the wee one. I am going to look into getting a position within the healthcare field (I have CNA certification that expires end of Jan 2016- a little nervous about that; haven't worked in that position yet because my cert got processed and then I found out I was pregnant...I also have contemplated Unit Secretary positions since my work realm has been admin up to now..) Thank you so much again- it has been really helpful to sort my spinning thoughts with everyone's experienced input.

Congratulations to you! Hope you have had a chance to decompress and enjoy time with your son as you'd hoped.

What an extremely awesome description of your newborn times- thank you so much for sharing . I have been contemplating things and am still a little on the fence about an online class vs. semester off...but I am leaning toward time off. I really appreciate your input. The PPD is always out there floating as a possibility- I am glad to have that reminder. Thank you so much again. The very best to you in your studies- I am sure you are kicking butt.

Just want to say that I am pulling for you! You will make the right decision for yourself and for your family. Surgical Tech actually sounds really cool- I feel like as long as you can try to maintain a foothold in the healthcare field somehow (whatever job that may be- nursing, tech, admin, etc.), it will only support your continued career goals and also keep you personally satisfied because that is where your heart is. You described what you went through with regards to BF/pumping and I think it showed enormous strength. Maybe it is for a reason that there is a little roadblock- so that you can spend those weeks with your new little one, just like you mentioned. You will get there- do not give up!

Wow, thank you both for two different/honest perspectives. augurey, I appreciate you sharing your experience with breastfeeding/pumping. I am absolutely blown away by your commitment to your little one. emmjayy, I hear you on the mental distraction of school being potentially sanity-saving. Time will tell. I am extra-emotional because of the pregnancy and also personal things going on. I need to remember to be patient and smart about this. Thank you both so much again.

Hi everyone, I have read a few threads about this very issue but thought I would toss my own anxieties into the mix for feedback.... I am pregnant and due August 4th. He is our first baby and we are so excited. That being said, I am a gal on a mission to apply for nursing school asap, and trying to knock out these darn prerequisites. I completed A&P I this past Spring semester, and have A&P II and Micro to get through before I can reasonably apply. I could go crazy and try to take both this Fall (semester starts end of August) and then be able to apply end of January '16 for Fall '16 admission. This seems a little nuts, though. One tough science course, let alone 2 (with a new little guy to care for) sounds like too much pressure . It just stinks to think I may not even begin NS (assuming I get in) until Spring '17 (or later)... I just want to get started already. At the same time, I have never raised a baby before, and while my husband is super-supportive, I know that it will be tough even if I take 0 classes. I do not want to miss the magical first weeks of our son's life because I am studying, but I also want to keep pushing to get into and through NS so that I can begin my career and get us more financially stable. Should I just say forget it and take this Fall off, leaving time for getting in the swing of things with the baby? Take one of the science classes? Take an online Nutrition class (still need that before I begin Nursing School but not needed before I apply)? Go wild and try both sciences? Thank you so much for your thoughts.

Thank you for your comments. It is encouraging to read about your experience and I am wishing you all the best in your studies.

Thank you so much for your comments- I appreciate the insight you have given in comparing the programs. I have read that the CCBC nursing program is very well-respected and rigorous and I am glad to have access to such a good school. It is the most affordable, most convenient, and really just an all-around strong pick (assuming I could get in) whether going for ATB or ADN...the thing that holds me back is that darn BSN being such a broadcasted necessity for nurses to have. I know not all of the hospitals in the Baltimore area require it to gain employment but I do understand that it makes you a more competitive applicant and that more and more are indeed posting it as a required credential. It seems like for the most part folks who don't get it now will end up having to get it later on, so I feel like it makes sense to just buckle down and knock it out sooner than later....? What are your plans with ADN? Are you in Day, Evening, Online..? Have you been satisfied personally with your experience so far? Thank you again for sharing :)

Congratulations on being accepted! That is wonderful I hadn't even thought about how the financial aid would work being split across 2 schools- great point......

Hi all, Just wondering about anyone's experience with the CCBC ATB Program? Haven't seen much discussion about it but maybe I am missing a good thread somewhere. Did you find it to be a good value? Which BSN program did you complete? Or are you currently enrolled? What is the schedule like? Do you find that the 2 schools communicate well with each other, bureaucracy-wise? Any feedback is appreciated. I am interested in this because it seems like a more affordable way of obtaining the BSN while still being associated with good curriculum/s. Thinking of TU or FSU as the partner school for CCBC, for what that's worth. Thank you!

This thread really resonated with a lot of folks and I am no exception... It is frustrating when you feel like you are finally on the right path, moving toward what you feel you should be doing with your life, and all you want to do is start the darn program. Maintain a job that helps support your family, work diligently to complete your classes, take care of yourself, be proud of every accomplishment, and keep listening to that voice inside you that says I can do this. You will get there!

There is some great, encouraging advice on this thread and I would like to continue along! My program has been awesome. It was very important to me to have a flexible and affordable course that I would truly learn from. After I finally decided to take the plunge and explore this crazy-awesome field, I researched state-approved CNA programs and narrowed down by cost/schedule/state test pass rates/etc. I went to the school that was #1 on my list, just to check it out, and the facility was clean and professional. I decided to take a CPR/First Aid class that they offered, to get a bit of a feel for the way the staff conducted themselves and taught, and it was great. Signed up right after, and now 5 weeks later I have passed my state exam and just finished my first of 5 clinical days. Research online (BBB, Facebook page, any website reviews), don't pay too much (my class all told was about $1500- very affordable for the quality of education- there are some scams out there, so be careful), maybe try a class that you'll need anyway to get a feel (E.g. First Aid), trust your gut, study, and you will be good to go! :)

Thank you for a great article! Very interested in this field. There are SAFE departments at a couple of hospitals here in the Baltimore area, but I am a little surprised they aren't more prevalent. Looking forward to learning more about this amazing specialty.