Questions for new nurses about school.

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Hi all,

Please excuse any typos I might have as I am typing 1 handed with my daughter asleep in the other..... Just wanting to ask some of you what you found most difficult about nursing school. From what I have read, the dropout rates are very high and that is making me very nervous! I am hoping to be an RN but I am TERRIBLE at math and have never taken a chemistry class in my life!!!! Just hopin to gain some insight on this whole thing!

Hi everyone.. I too am terrified of starting school, I have been glued to this site since i discovered it in early DEC. '06...I one day at my job in October decided to go back to school to persue a life long dream of being a nurse. I am 34 yrs old and a single mom of a 13 yr old...I think i have read every forum on this site, especially the pre-nursing forum..I am extremely scared of failing this journey and especially failing myself...I will try my hardest to do the best that I can..the rest is up to God!!! all these forums are a huge encourgement, thanks to all..:redpinkhe

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HI kinntj I agree with everything you said, I start taking my pre-reqs Jan'07, general math, i also will be taking one class at a time (I have to work full time) but will be taking my time with school...Good luck to you!!

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I remember all of those same fears when I decided to go to nursing school. I did not go to high school at all, took my ged at 18 and HATE math. I am now one semester away from graduating and took the LPN boards over the summer. Take it at whatever pace you need to, I took one or two prereq classes a semester because I had to work, and had to take ALL the prereqs having no high school credits. My advice is don't ever give up, if by chance you fail a class, so what, take it over, if you need tutoring, get it, just don't give up, don't let anything get in your way if this is your dream.

Good luck to all of you who want to go to nursing school!

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When I first started back to school I was terrified. I was 36 years old and I didn't think I was smart enough. I was so depressed my first month, I just didn't see how I was going to survive refresher Chemistry and Anatomy. Three and a half years later, I graduated with Latin Honors. Looking back, I realize that I was my own worse enemy. Once you get in the swing of things you will be fine. I think any big life change brings on both a doubt of your abilities and questioning of the new path. I am thrilled that I stuck it out. I am a week away from starting my dream job. You will be writing this same story in a few short years! Time goes by so fast when you are in school.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Oncology/Telemetry/ICU.

The biggest thing is to try to take care of yourself because if you're eating poorly, not sleeping enough, and drinking too much coffee (wow, I can't believe I'M telling someone to watch their coffee intake!:rotfl:), etc you won't be at your best for your family or for school. It took a lot more out of me than I realized, but once it's over it feels so great! Think positive!

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Hi everyone.. I too am terrified of starting school, I have been glued to this site since i discovered it in early DEC. '06...I one day at my job in October decided to go back to school to persue a life long dream of being a nurse. I am 34 yrs old and a single mom of a 13 yr old...I think i have read every forum on this site, especially the pre-nursing forum..I am extremely scared of failing this journey and especially failing myself...I will try my hardest to do the best that I can..the rest is up to God!!! all these forums are a huge encourgement, thanks to all..:redpinkhe

You can do it! You will teach your 13 year old a lot about tenacity and good study skills. Don't be scared. I went to school with 4 children and graduated a couple months ago. I start my job tomorrow and I feel that going to nursing school was one of the best things I have ever done for myself.

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The biggest thing is to try to take care of yourself because if you're eating poorly, not sleeping enough, and drinking too much coffee (wow, I can't believe I'M telling someone to watch their coffee intake!:rotfl:), etc you won't be at your best for your family or for school. It took a lot more out of me than I realized, but once it's over it feels so great! Think positive!

My coffee intake has decreased drastically since graduation, I never thought I would see the day.

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Thanks for the encouragement WeebabyRN!!!! I know that I am my worst enemy!!!

Best of Luck to you and Congrats!!!!! :smiley_aa

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Hi everyone!

I am 31 yrs old, have 2 children 10 and 13, worked full time until this past year. I too have been pursing my goal in becoming part of the nursing community. Making a different in someone's life is so rewarding to me and cant wait to finally succeed. I have been in school, it seems like forever! I started my college career 1999. I had to take remedial courses, math, reading, etc. which I felt so stupid, but benefited me in the end. I had 2 auto accident's that caused my having to stop a few semester's here and there . Finally, I start my nursing curriculum this coming fall. Like I said "FOREVER".

I was my worst enemy too, and wish I found this site sooner and probably wouldn't have experienced the mental, depressed, and malnourished roller coaster of school stress. It's so true, if you get into a good routine and have time management (study a little everyday and bring books everywhere so if you have a free minute, p/u the book) this will make your life easier and you will get that grade you so desire. It took me a long time to figure this out. :nurse:Good Luck everyone!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

The hardest part of nursing school is time management, IMO. Nursing school feels like the equivalent of holding two full time jobs, not to mention keeping up with duties at home and the general problems you face in your normal life (marriage, divorce, births, deaths, illness, financial probs, car probs).

The time you spend in class is nothing compared to the time you spend outside of class preparing for clinical, getting pt info, working on careplans, and studying. Then each program has it's own little extras they love to throw in; essays, teaching projects, computer time, volunteer work, etc. Combine this with having to fit in time for laundry, grocery shopping, family get togethers, child-rearing, etc. and you see how easy it is to feel overwhelmed.

Nursing school is stressful but the good news is that it's manageable. Don't buy into the whole 'nursing school is the most stressful experience ever!' jazz...but do heed the warning that it's not easy and be prepared to work hard and never procrastinate. Good luck to you.

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I start nursing school this March and have been worried about all the failure stories, too. I try to remember that more people pass than fail and plan on workin' mighty hard.

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