native_texan

So....the last 2 semesters I have been working on my study technique....trying to find what is EFFICIENT. That's what I'm doing right now...trying to find methods are EFFECTIVE and EFFICIENT. I've rewritten my notes (effective but NOT efficient), etc., but I know that passive highlighting of texts is not going to be enough either. My work right now is probably different from NS (multiple choice/fill-in-the-blank tests), etc. I'm also working for high As in each class. I know I'll adapt. It's more of a question of how much stress and sleep depravation I'll encounter along the way. (For the record, I took A&P 1 & 2 and Stats over the summer, and I'm currently taking Chem, Nutrition, and Micro. It's been a good warmup for what awaits.)

@Livinnursing Great points! Thanks! I was worried about the reading. I don't read that fast b/c I read to comprehend. Second semester is worse than first? Oh Lawd! I don't have a job. The only things for me is that during first semester, by son will go to State Swimming Championship in Austin, will have prom, will graduate from high school, and my daughter will graduate from college. Barring any unforeseen catostrophes, I will have nothing to worry about but school. (And the usual things that a mom/wife worries about...) Congrats and keep on trucking along!

Wow. I am waiting acceptance (should know in 30 days) to start in an accelerated program in January. I am not a traditional student (44yo) and I already have a bachelors degree. I'm finishing my last pre-nursing classes this semester, and when I hear that I'll have pharm, patho, adult care, etc. in my first semester.....I'm already having anxiety. HOW do you survive?

I am also a recently resigned teacher and pre-nursing student. I am also middle aged. I taught for 12 years. It was my second career and now on to my third. I don't think there is anything wrong with trying to do everything in this life that we want to do. If you have the finances to go back, and the support, why not?? Education in my state has become horrible. We have no unions, and the pay is horrible! Regarding benefits, they suck too...frankly. People think we "get so much time off." We never clock out. I was always overwhelmed with work AT HOME (grading, lesson planning, remaking lessons, completing the mounds of paperwork, etc.) I will just be glad to punch out and go home and to enjoy my time at home. Here's what I have figured out. No career choice is perfect. You have to judge what is most important to you amongst the things there are to consider (salary, time off, working conditions, persona fulfillment, benefits, opportunities for change/growth, etc.) For me, teaching had what I needed while my kids were in school. Now, my needs have changed. Best of luck! I'm doing great in school this time around and my younger classmates are really struggling. My muscles ache, and my back hurts, but my heart is full. :)

I don't think you should do anything "just for the money." It definitely is ONE of the factors that plays into any career. Flexibility is another, and advancement another. I was referring to JUST the money. I know for me, at the end of the day, if I have milions, and I have helped no one, I will be miserable. I totally agree with you though that people who go into with simply a mind of service will be disillusioned. I don't believe that I am. I want to use my intelligence, my skillful ability to use my hands (also an artist), make a comfortable living, have days off to enjoy life, make others' lives better, have choices/back-ups if I get burnt out in one area, move fast, think fast, etc. That's why I'm doing it. I don't like science, but I love the learning about human a&p, and more specifically, what happens when things go wrong, and how to compensate, if at all possible. Thanks for your insight!

Wow! What a wonderful response, Lady! I agree with you 100%! In education, I would get my class rosters at the beginning of the year, and other teachers would remark, "oh...you have HIM," or "oh now.....not HER!" I chose to ignore their evaluations of what were now "MY" students. It was amazing. The child who wouldn't work for them, worked for me. The child that caused them discipline nightmares was an angel for me. I found that it was all in how I approached the student as an individual, and the expectations that I had for them. (Note: I never had higher expectations for them than I had for myself.) Tip #1) Be objective. Great advice. I can't wait to seek out the forums that you suggested. Again, back to my parallel in education, I avoided the teacher lounges. Yes, I need to vent as well, but I could be having a MAGICAL day and as soon as I entered that lounge, I began to feel like crap. Negativity is a toxin, a poison, a quickly metastasizing cancer. I decided to start avoiding the teacher's lounge. I had my true friends at work, and we vented to each other. We knew we weren't condemning any particular child, or the education field in general, just venting. Once it was out, it was over. Tip #2) Seek positivity. Again, great advice. (I would add "Avoid Negativity") Reality checks are good, and for some who are looking at entering the field, TOTALLY needed. For me however, I think I'm ready for what I'm up against. A little anti-anxiety therapy is all that I need now, and a few good, intelligent nurse/friends. Seriously Ladyfree28...best response ever. Thank you.

You are all telling me exactly what I needed to hear about nursing school! I too was rocking waitress, and would do it again if I could make good enough money. I love managing 100 things at once, figuring out what's wrong, and I love the odd, strange, unusual cases. I can't wait to study more about disorders, rather than A&P (TOTALLY understand that I have to have the background...I'm just more interested in why/when things go wrong.

Calivianya, Thank you so much. I am beginning to see what you mean. I'm taking A&P right now, and I'm surrounded by people that just don't get it. They don't get it b/c they aren't willing to put in 4-6 hours for every class hour into studying. I want a job where I can be smart. It isn't about the "helping people" thing for me. I definitely like that, but I like problem-solving. If I like just making a difference in people's lives, I would've stayed in education. I appreciate your candor. Also, I agree that there are no perfect jobs. Like I said, that's why they have to pay you. Again, thank you and best of luck.

Thanks for the response MrsRN14! I'm definitely a realistic, and I'm not going in with any sugar coated fantasies. :) I wish you the best, and appreciate your input!

I keep hearing such a negative stigma over nursing school, the first year out, and complaining in general about the profession. WHY THEN BE A NURSE? I have just quit teaching after 10+ years, and I see how it easy to be caught up in the negativity of an "industry" (i.e. education), but if we all quit, then who would be left to teach our children? There are things that amazing about teaching, but it has it's downsides, too. That's why they have to pay teachers...duh. So now that I'm fulfilling a desire to become a nurse that I had to put on the back burner years ago, I'm wondering why I'm doing it when I read so much negativity. I don't know if the stories about nursing school are stories from students who have never really struggled with anything before, so it's a major shock, or if it's horrible for everyone. I don't know if things actually get better after you get your license or not. From a lot of stories, it just gets "worse." WHY THEN, would anyone want to this profession? If you're just doing it for the money...don't get me started. It's even made me question myself and my own goals. So please, tell me what was the best and worst of nursing school, the first year, the career. I've seen plenty of arguments on WHY NOT to do, plenty of reality checks...I'm over 35...got plenty of those. SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME THE ARGUMENT OF WHY ONE SHOULD CONSIDER NURSING! PLEASE TELL ME THERE'S SOMETHING GOOD OUT THERE!!

Good for you for never giving up!! Wishing you the best of health and luck in nursing school!!

A bit older...? Ha! I'm 44. I think you'll find many non-traditional students along the way. Read the many posts that others have started/commented on regarding advice. As for me, I would tell you that ONLY YOU know if you are doing the right thing. Find out about what school entails, what the job entails, and then listen to your heart. Starting with your prereqs is the first step. See how you like your health-related classes and go from there! Best of Luck!

I can't wait to be a nurse and getting waited on during ALL of our breaks!

Just wanted to thank you all for your comments! I have 45 more "school/work days" left. While it's bittersweet to leave what has become my "second home," I am so ready to focus on this new phase of my life. All of my students, parents and teacher friends are thrilled and said that they hope I can be THEIR nurse! I must be doing something right! Hugs to all...

Thanks for your input. As a teacher, I rarely sit down, go to the bathroom, eat, etc. I teach 4 different subjects to teenagers. It is a LOT of work. I don't get to "punch out," as there is always work to do in the evening, on the weekend, etc. I'm not leaving the profession for an "easy" job. I'm a hard worker that loves making a difference in people's lives. I have a passion for problem solving and learning how the human body works. As for my contract, I am the one who ended that. I know about the pre-reqs. I do already have a degree in Communications and I only have a few classes that I need to take. I'm currently taking one (while teaching), and I'm taking 14 more hours in the summer. I appreciate your honest feedback and still look forward to this journey. I'm fortunate to be in the Texas Medical Center area, so I'm hopeful about the opportunities that will be available! Blessings to you all.