DreamKeeper68

Thank you for the words of encouragement. I needed that. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments!

I have a couple of comments. First, having a disability is nothing to be ashamed of. The first step should be getting to a doctor for a diagnosis. Second, You stated you didn't like taking medication. You have to ask yourself which you dislike more - struggling or taking a little pill that would make things easier. Third, which should probably have been first, congratulations on going back to get your diploma! And finally fourth, I stay organized by using a calender. I write everything down. I set alarms and reminders on my phone for assignments. You could try studying for shorter periods. Maybe 20-30 minutes then take a break. If that seems too long try 15-20 minutes. If you find yourself zoning out take a short break then get right back to it. I have a picture of a caduceus as my screensaver on my phone and laptop. It helps me by having a reminder of what I am working towards. I receive support services from my school for a mild traumatic brain injury. I have not had to have many accommodations but it sure is nice to know that they are there if I need them. I hope this helps.

You are definitely not the only one. I am not in the program yet but my support system sucks at times. I have been working on assignments only to have someone ask me what's for dinner or if I can take a break to watch a movie with them. I don't think they mean to make life more difficult for us they just don't know how to transition into independent functioning adults. I know I created my monsters by being super mom and super significant other. When I first talked about going back to school, everyone was on board. They talked about being more self-sufficient so that I could succeed. They just didn't have any idea what that actually meant. I wish I could offer some advice that would magically fix this but I am still searching for the answer myself. Good luck!!

Bob is here to help with the free breast exams again.

I just love finding the positive in all situations. They can choose to not take your credits (it happened to me also), but they can't take you're knowledge. Go and impress the new school with how smart you are. Earn those A's!

I don't mind you asking at all. I am proud to say that I will be 47 in July. At first I was intimidated going back to school with people younger than my kids. I quickly learned that being an older student has it's advantages. We are more focused and determined to finish. I can't explain it but I find that people trust older doctors and nurses. (Just my opinion) Has that been your experience? There are all types of grants and scholarships out there. I don't know where you live but look at a community or state college. The tuition rates are pretty reasonable. There may even be a tuition reimbursement program at a hospital near you. Look at taking some of your prerequisites on line. It doesn't matter if you take them one by one or all at the same time. I would love to work in a cardiac care unit or clinic. The heart it's just so fascinating. Don't give up on going to school because of your age. I remember reading a story of a woman that graduated at 89 years old. It's never too late!

I think you missed the point. You never know how your words affect other people. Most people are weak until they find their strength. I have a young family member who couldn't get into their university of choice. I talked to her about community college for prerequisites and to establish a decent GPA before applying again. She said she didn't want to go because her friends all said dumb people go to CC. She is a brilliant girl but young and impressionable. She is super shy and was very sheltered. I bullied her into taking one semester at the CC. After that semester she found herself and she is thriving. I think she'll go pretty far because she has people in her life to encourage her. It has become so easy to discount people because they are perceived as weak when all they need is a push in the right direction. Words hurt but they also heal. It's all in how you use them.

You have definitely opened a can of worms with your comment. I know it was 'told' to you but not everything you hear is worth repeating. I attend a community college. Most of my professors also teach at the big universities in the area. That comment alone is a big slap in the face. I have never missed class. I study hard. When I have difficulties I go to tutoring. My classes are very challenging. I have been awake past midnight trying to complete assignments. I have cried in frustration because I just couldn't get something. I earned each and every one of my A's. No one has ever allowed me nor any of my classmates to cheat. Not everyone in my classes earned A's. I chose to attend community college because of the cost and location not because I could not make it at a university. (I graduate high school with a 3.8 GPA) I'm sure others have made the choice for the same reasons. I suppose there is no cheating in Universities. How fortunate for them. Notice the sarcasm there. The person who originally made that comment is very judgmental and in my opinion has no place in or near the nursing profession. What else is this person biased on? Race, gender, financial status? Do you know how your words affect others? You could very well have caused someone who would make a great nurse to give up on their dreams because community college is the only option for them. It is so hurtful when people are all judged on the actions of a few. A word of advice for you - do not pass along negativity!

That is a perfectly fine GPA. If you do well on your entrance exam you should be ok. Schools have a formula for combining your GPA with your test scores. Don't worry.

It has been a long haul but I am finally done. After five schools, many sleepless nights, too many tears, and lots of doubt I finally finished my prerequisites. I have know for over 40 years that I wanted to be a nurse. I joined the army thinking they could magically make it happen. This was back when the recruiters could tell you anything to get your signature on the dotted line. 22 years served, three children, two (ex)husbands, lots of travel experience but no degree. I started at a for profit institution in a medical assistant program. Life got in the way and I had to drop out. I started again in the surgical technology program. Again, I dropped out. Online classes, for profit schools, community college I tried them all. Even though I did well in all of my classes, I wasn't excited about any of it. Fast forward to the summer of 2014. I sat down and really examined my life. Have I accomplished anything? Yes. I have. Was I fulfilled? No. I wasn't. Over the course of 30 years I had put myself and my dreams on hold to take care of others. It finally hit me. It dawned on me why I wasn't truly happy. That something missing was my nursing degree. I immediately went on a search for a nursing school in my area. I found an associates degree nursing program with no wait list at a community college. The entrance exam was my undoing. I did well in English and reading but math literally kicked my butt. I left that day with my head hanging low thinking I can't do this. I've waited too long. I was ashamed that I had to take remedial math. I thought of quitting before my journey truly began. My support system was not having that. They bolstered me up and gave me back the spark. Not only did I pass the math class, I passed with flying colors. I earned an A in math, psychology, medical terminology, and the required college success class. I was well on my way and happy about it. Enter the bitter old lady who hated her job... my adviser. She refused to register me for any classes because my grades weren't 'official' yet. She also pointed her finger in my face and raised her voice. I don't know about anyone else but I believe if I am paying my money I deserve good service. I immediately went to the registrars office and withdrew from that school. Leaving that school was the best thing that could have happened. I found another nursing program with a 100% pass rate. This program is an LPN program not RN. Notice the last letter? It stands for nurse. I'm OK with that. In the future I might pursue my RN or I might discover that I love being an LPN. Who knows? For now I am one step closer to being a nurse. Finally, after all of that we get to the reason of my post. I finished my last prerequisite classes this past semester. I will be applying to the nursing program with a 4.0 GPA. I will be taking the TEAS V in June with it firmly planted in my mind that I will do well. Over the past five months I sacrificed a lot. I neglected my family, I didn't go out, missed all of my favorite shows, the house looks a mess, and we have all gained a few pounds because of all of the takeout food. But it was worth it! I offer my story as encouragement to anyone out there that thinks it's too late to follow their dreams. It's not easy, but most things in life worth having aren't. You can find a way to make it happen. (One last thing. That remedial math gave me the tools I needed to earn an A in college algebra. Sometimes what we see as a negative is actually a positive in disguise.) Never give up! Don't let a set back be a set up for giving up!

I am taking my last set of prerequisite classes now. I have know that I wanted to be a nurse for over 40 years. I served in the Army for 22 years. During that time I got married/divorced, and raised a family. Now that the kids are grown and self sufficient, it is finally time to live out my dream. I was injured during my last deployment and struggle just about every day with pain. Knowing I have limitations, I am fine with pursuing LPN in stead of my RN. For now I am taking it one step at a time.