School, Family, Bills, OH MY!

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Hi ladies and gentlemen! This question could go to anyone in my situation, so please chime in!

I am 26, a wife, a mom to 2 boys and have a stepdaughter who does not live with us, and MAY be expecting. I am currently 1 - 3 semesters away (depending on when I can take my BIO classes) from starting clinicals. I have not yet taken the TEAS, but positive vibes and thoughts are the secret to success so I am already envisioning the next 3 years of nursing school.

My questions:

How far did you go to commute for prereqs in school? I'm looking at maybe an hour drive one way for my BIOs and I'm not too happy about it.

How did you fare in school when talking to advisors about registering for classes and entering the Nursing program? I've really had no direction after seeing 2 different advisors (1 was really good but couldn't help as far as what classes would be good to take and when, the other was just horrible), and trying to get into these BIOs are proving to be more difficult than I thought it would be. Talking to advisors helps none - you need an appt to talk to them; when you do wait 2 weeks to talk, they don't really direct you and sometimes I don't even know what questions I need to ask - I just want them to give me the run down because they've seen more than I have and can help me along. If it is this hard to just get some direction, should I transfer to another CC?

For those with families: how did you make it through clinicals while working??? I think I can do it, it's just that I am clinically depressed with anxiety and I don't want to have that stand in my way of achieving my goals. I am ready to work on it and through it, I would just like some tips on how to do so. Did you continue to work full time and school on nights/weekends, or did you work part-time and go to school full time? If the latter, how did it go with your finances?

Finally, anyone who can give insight on the process that happens with petitioning and getting through the Associate's degree in Nursing (especially if you went to DCCC in Media or CCP in Philadelphia), I would appreciate it. I want to make sure I am on the right path. Please include what happened with your TEAS testing regarding when you took it (after prereqs? in the midst of them?) and how you studied. I cannot remember a THING about science and I know I need to study. Math is something I need to brush up on as well.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Whew! You're dealing with a lot right now. First off, I think you need to establish some new expectations with your family - and stick to them. For instance, when I went back for my BSN, I handed off some tasks and just modified expectations for others. Hubby took over laundry & food shopping. Meals became much more casual. I scheduled 'alone time' each evening so I could study undisturbed. Eventually, my kids joined my 'alone time' but to study along with me - LOL. I 'resigned' from chauffeuring duties on weekdays. At the same time, I had to accept that my way was not the "ONLY" way so I had to let go ... the fact that someone else was loading the dishwasher was far more important than how they did it.

You are not going to be able to continue to manage all household chores AND nursing school simultaneously. Talk to everyone and let them know what is going on and why you need to hand off some of the work. But give them full ownership and back of the nagging if they decide to do it differently. If one of your kids is good at math, ask for his help. You're role modeling good behavior when they see you studying and progressing toward your degree.

You got this!!

Hi ladies and gentlemen! This question could go to anyone in my situation so please chime in! I am 26, a wife, a mom to 2 boys and have a stepdaughter who does not live with us, and MAY be expecting. I am currently 1 - 3 semesters away (depending on when I can take my BIO classes) from starting clinicals. I have not yet taken the TEAS, but positive vibes and thoughts are the secret to success so I am already envisioning the next 3 years of nursing school. My questions: How far did you go to commute for prereqs in school? I'm looking at maybe an hour drive one way for my BIOs and I'm not too happy about it. How did you fare in school when talking to advisors about registering for classes and entering the Nursing program? I've really had no direction after seeing 2 different advisors (1 was really good but couldn't help as far as what classes would be good to take and when, the other was just horrible), and trying to get into these BIOs are proving to be more difficult than I thought it would be. Talking to advisors helps none - you need an appt to talk to them; when you do wait 2 weeks to talk, they don't really direct you and sometimes I don't even know what questions I need to ask - I just want them to give me the run down because they've seen more than I have and can help me along. If it is this hard to just get some direction, should I transfer to another CC? For those with families: how did you make it through clinicals while working??? I think I can do it, it's just that I am clinically depressed with anxiety and I don't want to have that stand in my way of achieving my goals. I am ready to work on it and through it, I would just like some tips on how to do so. Did you continue to work full time and school on nights/weekends, or did you work part-time and go to school full time? If the latter, how did it go with your finances? Finally, anyone who can give insight on the process that happens with petitioning and getting through the Associate's degree in Nursing (especially if you went to DCCC in Media or CCP in Philadelphia), I would appreciate it. I want to make sure I am on the right path. Please include what happened with your TEAS testing regarding when you took it (after prereqs? in the midst of them?) and how you studied. I cannot remember a THING about science and I know I need to study. Math is something I need to brush up on as well. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!![/quote']

You definitely have a lot of your plate right now. Most importantly before taking the steps towards nursing school you should be to get your depression and anxiety under control because you won't be able to juggle the anxiety and stress of nursing school if that is not in order. I'm actually in my first semester at Dccc and it's a great program. I actually took my bio classes online with bucks county community college since I was unable to come in for classes. It was tough but doable. I'm a mother of four and it's challenging juggling work school and parenting but worth it. I reduced my full time job to weekends only in order to have time for class and studying. As far as the teas test, I used ATI teas study guide only which was very good for me. Dccc also offers a teas prep class if you feel that might help you. When I petitioned, I have all but two classes left but I would really suggest taking all your prerequisites before starting the program. Good look in your journey.

Whew! You're dealing with a lot right now. First off, I think you need to establish some new expectations with your family - and stick to them. For instance, when I went back for my BSN, I handed off some tasks and just modified expectations for others. Hubby took over laundry & food shopping. Meals became much more casual. I scheduled 'alone time' each evening so I could study undisturbed. Eventually, my kids joined my 'alone time' but to study along with me - LOL. I 'resigned' from chauffeuring duties on weekdays. At the same time, I had to accept that my way was not the "ONLY" way so I had to let go ... the fact that someone else was loading the dishwasher was far more important than how they did it.

You are not going to be able to continue to manage all household chores AND nursing school simultaneously. Talk to everyone and let them know what is going on and why you need to hand off some of the work. But give them full ownership and back of the nagging if they decide to do it differently. If one of your kids is good at math, ask for his help. You're role modeling good behavior when they see you studying and progressing toward your degree.

You got this!!

Thanks HouTx! I told him last semester that he will definitely have to step up, sometimes without me asking, ya know? He'll have to learn to use the women's intuition sometimes lol! As for my kids, they are only 6 and 4, so though I wish they could help more, they probably can't. Maybe in a couple of years though! I don't really get too much help outside of my husband - my sisters are all younger than I am and doing their own school/work thing, and my mom still works FT. Also, my grandparents aren't in the business of helping to take care of their great-grands either. Everyone's philosophy is that I chose to have children, so I have to deal with raising them even in the midst of trying to further my life. I guess that's just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes...

Thanks for your input! I appreciate the tips :-)

You definitely have a lot of your plate right now. Most importantly before taking the steps towards nursing school you should be to get your depression and anxiety under control because you won't be able to juggle the anxiety and stress of nursing school if that is not in order. I'm actually in my first semester at Dccc and it's a great program. I actually took my bio classes online with bucks county community college since I was unable to come in for classes. It was tough but doable. I'm a mother of four and it's challenging juggling work school and parenting but worth it. I reduced my full time job to weekends only in order to have time for class and studying. As far as the teas test, I used ATI teas study guide only which was very good for me. Dccc also offers a teas prep class if you feel that might help you. When I petitioned, I have all but two classes left but I would really suggest taking all your prerequisites before starting the program. Good look in your journey.

I am in the process of getting it under control now - herbal supplements only. I don't want to rely on drugs to "feel" better. Also, breathing exercises, better eating habits, sticking to a schedule and budget, etc. More organization to me = more things under control = stress less for me!

I never thought of looking into Bucks County because I didn't think BIO was offered online! How were you able to accomplish this? I am 10+ years from HS Chem and Biology, and I see they have prereqs to take the equivalent of DCCCs BIO 151 and 152. Were you able to do a consortium agreement or did you just take the classes "a la carte" (for lack of a better term)? I will also look into the TEAS prep class - that would probably be best for someone like me.

When I petition, I will be doing so for 2015. I will be taking Psych and Soc in Spring 14, with only my 2 BIOs left. They should be completed by Spring 15, in time for the Fall 15 Nursing start (should I get in).

Thanks for the info!!!

I am in the process of getting it under control now - herbal supplements only. I don't want to rely on drugs to "feel" better. Also breathing exercises, better eating habits, sticking to a schedule and budget, etc. More organization to me = more things under control = stress less for me! I never thought of looking into Bucks County because I didn't think BIO was offered online! How were you able to accomplish this? I am 10+ years from HS Chem and Biology, and I see they have prereqs to take the equivalent of DCCCs BIO 151 and 152. Were you able to do a consortium agreement or did you just take the classes "a la carte" (for lack of a better term)? I will also look into the TEAS prep class - that would probably be best for someone like me. When I petition, I will be doing so for 2015. I will be taking Psych and Soc in Spring 14, with only my 2 BIOs left. They should be completed by Spring 15, in time for the Fall 15 Nursing start (should I get in). Thanks for the info!!![/quote']

I took chemistry online with a site called nursing abc(nursingabc.com). They allow you to take many of the prereqs needed for entry into many nursing programs(even anatomy 1 and 2). The only thing is you have to pay out of pocket and check with the school you want to transfer them to that they will transfer it in. (400 hundred for chemistry and 700 or 800 for anatomy 1 or 2)Bucks county transferred it without a problem but you have to choose nursing as your major in order to be eligible to take a and p at bucks. The good thing with them is that they offer winter sessions so you could get both classes out the way in a short timeframe. They have a lot more open seats than dccc offers for A and P since around 3 classes are offered online. You just have to go in and take your exams four times a semester. But if financial aid is your only option, try and take your bio classes with dccc in the summer session it might be a little easier to get into them than in spring and fall.

I took chemistry online with a site called nursing abc(nursingabc.com). They allow you to take many of the prereqs needed for entry into many nursing programs(even anatomy 1 and 2). The only thing is you have to pay out of pocket and check with the school you want to transfer them to that they will transfer it in. (400 hundred for chemistry and 700 or 800 for anatomy 1 or 2)Bucks county transferred it without a problem but you have to choose nursing as your major in order to be eligible to take a and p at bucks. The good thing with them is that they offer winter sessions so you could get both classes out the way in a short timeframe. They have a lot more open seats than dccc offers for A and P since around 3 classes are offered online. You just have to go in and take your exams four times a semester. But if financial aid is your only option, try and take your bio classes with dccc in the summer session it might be a little easier to get into them than in spring and fall.

Thanks for that info! My regular counselor (never assigned to me, juat is very very helpful to me) got me in the #2 spot for the waiting list for the evening BIO 150 at Marple - fingers crossed and prayers foing up!!! If I have to though, I will be following your advice, but hopefully I'm good!

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