Road Blocks:Will I Ever Become A Nurse

Bicster · Mar 29, 2008

be careful some of your sciences dont become more than 5 years old. most programs will make you re-take them.

also, are there any online programs you could do? this way, moving would be a non-issue.

gemberly · Mar 30, 2008

I have 5 kids, the youngest is almost a year now. I took off the quarter she was born from school, but went the summer term to make up for it. And my husband works two jobs, and goes to school also, so I pretty much do all the house stuff myself.

When it gets rough, instead of thinking that the universe is saying I shouldn't do this, perhaps the universe is just asking "how badly do I want it!" And I move forward.

I am applying to my program in May for fall enrollment. I am so nervous that I can barely stand it.

I agree with the distance learning... or perhaps depending on where you are in your studies, your dh can move ahead, and you can stay back to finish, then move to be with him, if you choose to take classes in person instead.

surromom · Mar 30, 2008

i am a vet and a military spouse, i say go forward, we agreed that i will start and if he pcs i will stay behind this time, if you get in go for it!!! i have the same problems you have, and now some of my sciences are expiring!!!!! Good Luck my hubby is in Iraq too! just got there, 11.5 more months to go

coolpeach · Mar 30, 2008

I would say go for it, but get get all of your ducks in a row. I have heard over, and over again about how the number one priority of nursing schools is picking students they feel will make it through the program. With the nursing professor shortage those spots are almost sacred. If you get accepted, start, and then drop out it will go on you permanant record, and I don't any other program will pick you up.

My point is decide right now what you will do when you are accepted. Can you stay where you are while your husband moves on. Can you financially do it? I know almost nothing about how the military situation works (if you live on base etc). Will you be able to continue with your present situation if you husband is restationed, and you stay behind.

If you have parents are are willing/able you might see if you can move home, and apply to nursing school. This would give you extra hands with the kids while you study, a decrease in bills, and stability while you go through the program. It's only a short time, and it will fly by fast.

I am a single mom with 3 boys who left a domestic violence situation. I had always dreamed of being a nurse, but had no idea how to start as I didn't even graduate from high school. When I left I had no money, no car, no anything. I had the clothes we were wearing. I got a job, and saved and bought a cheap, but decent car outright. I went to GED classes, and got that out of the way. I applied for every possible financial aid I could get, and took 3 remedial algebra courses which almost killed me. I have now taken all of my pre reqs except one with a 4.0, made an A on my hesi, and sent in my application for nursing school. In the middle of everything I had an emergency appendectomy, my youngest son fell out of tree and broke his back in 4 places (he is fine now believe it or not), my ex came back to town and caused all sorts of drama, my oldest two lived through their teens, and fought with my middle son when he experimented, and became addicted to drugs. This included putting him in rehab 3 times, and having him arrested once, and finally getting him sober which he as been for a year now (Thank GOD). I had a rough 3 months while a favorite Aunt fought, and passed away with multiple myleoma. I am sure there are more things, but those are the biggies. There were times I was exhausted, financially strapped, in over my head, and just thought I couldn't go on.

The good news is I have almost made it, and you will too. As the above poster said these things just make us realize how bad we want it. If you really want it, and you put everything you have in it you will make it.

Someday_A_Nurse · Mar 31, 2008

Namai,

First of all, thanks to you and your family and the sacrafices you're making for the rest of us! I have a friend in Afganistan, and his family is having a hard time. Best of luck in school, and keep following your dream.

Coolpeach,

What an inspiration you are. I cannot believe what you have been through and how you've come out on top.

I hardly ever post, but both of you are amazing! I'm incredibly impressed, and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

mellb · Mar 31, 2008

Namai,
First of all, thanks to you and your family and the sacrafices you're making for the rest of us! I have a friend in Afganistan, and his family is having a hard time. Best of luck in school, and keep following your dream.
Coolpeach,
What an inspiration you are. I cannot believe what you have been through and how you've come out on top.
I hardly ever post, but both of you are amazing! I'm incredibly impressed, and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Some day a nurse,

thank you for your words of encouragement, and your appreciation. :clown:

Cool peach,

I agree with some day a nurse, you are amazing and definitely inspirational. I am also so happy for you that you are almost there.

As far as my situation goes there are some pros to my family being stationed here in Texas because the school that I am going to does not have a waiting list and I have a very good chance of getting in. As far as my family goes they are in south Florida and I did think about going back home but trying to get in a nursing program at most of their schools is pretty challenging. Then there are other thing that I have to consider when it comes to my kids and moving again. So I am pretty much stuck here. If I do get in the program here there is no way that I am going to leave because I just have to finish. I spoke with my DH about it and he understands. He is trying to figure out what he can do so the both of us can stay until I am finish. What sucks is if we do stay here he can be deployed again for another 15 months. I do want to thank you cool peach for sharing your story because it shows people if they want something bad enough they can have it and there should be no excuses. I also love to hear how some mothers manage to do what they do.

God bless you, :bow:

Surromom,

You can relate to my situation because being a military spouse is so hard. You have 11.5 months and I have 14 months and 1 week to go. (Mine just left early this month) I believe if you can get through a deployment you can go through anything. (So bring it on nursing school).

That is really awesome that you are going to be able to stay and go through school. Are you going to have to redo any of your science classes? I am determine to stay and I am not leaving this place until I have my degree.

Good luck to you and I will keep you and your family in my prayers.:heartbeat

HeatherTN · Mar 31, 2008

Namai

I also am a military spouse; or former; my dad was in service for 25 yrs and my husband for 28; he just retired; anyway from what I remember we were always stationed somewhere for at least three years; except when we were overseas; anyway I agree with the other girls maybe the online programs would work well for you.

Good luck!

Heather

mellb · Mar 31, 2008

How I wish that I could take online classes, but the thing is I just have science classes left. I have pretty much taken everything already. I just need general biology, A&P 2 and Micro. I have to be present for those classes, because i need to do the labs. I plan on taking Biology this summer and then A&P 2 this fall. Before we got stationed here I finished a lot of my classes, because I took classes from the BSN degree plan. I looked into taking my science classes online but the school that i am going to they do not have any online science courses. I even tried to look into taking them online with my old school in Florida, but they only do the lectures and not labs. I have to have both. So I pretty much have to show up. What is really driving me up the wall currently is the biology class I need this summer because I have to get an "A" in it and the woman I am taking it with is no joke. This is the last class I need for the program at my school and I just feel a lot of pressure on my shoulders right now. With my husband being deployed, and having to take care of my kids with no help. Really just adds on more to my plate.

Please pray for me guys, :bugeyes:

Namai
I also am a military spouse; or former; my dad was in service for 25 yrs and my husband for 28; he just retired; anyway from what I remember we were always stationed somewhere for at least three years; except when we were overseas; anyway I agree with the other girls maybe the online programs would work well for you.
Good luck!
Heather

HopefulRN007 · Mar 31, 2008

I am a military wife too, and I'm just starting this process. It looks like there are generally wait lists for nursing programs, and I am afraid if I get on a wait list, I'll have to move by the time my turn comes. Right now I'm researching schools in the areas of all the potential bases we could go to so I can make sure I have all the pre-reqs that I'll need in case that happens. (this might prove to be quite a daunting task though.)

I'm also working full time and raising a toddler, so I'm making this an extended plan.

Good luck to you, keep plugging away.

1rarejewel · Apr 7, 2008

I'm a military spouse too! Hey spouses...hooah!! (No disrespect to non-army..) My husband just got back from his second 16 month tour since Oct. 04. He returned Feb 1 this year and while he was gone I took as many classes as I could handle. We have 4 children ranging 6-13 years old. The difference with me is that we are stationary, as he is in the very stepchild-like National Guard. Yeah, we don't get all the benefits, but we certainly get all the cons!! But I digress, I just want to say to you, Namai, look at all of your options. Look at different schools that you may have to go to one day and see what pre-reqs are required from each. If several schools require certain ones, then take those. I've personally not heard of nursing schools here that didn't require at least chemistry, bio, A&P, and most of the Micro. If you have to wait to get into the program, taking the sciences won't hurt...unless you have to pay for them maybe. When hubby returns, will he be sent somewhere else? or will he be able to stay where you are until you graduate? I have taken up to 5 classes per semester while my husband is away. Now I have 3 but they do equal 12 credits since Micro = 5. 5 weeks old, yes your baby is young...but the only one who can tell you what you can't be is YOU. Tap into ALL available resources. Take the classes that you can take into just about any school. Work steady, it's going to take determination, patience and lots of energy, but if you want this, no one else can tell you that you can't have it. There can be many routes to one destination...although each path may be different, the important thing is that you get where you are trying to go.