Single Parent potential RN

Published

Hello all! I am starting to think it's impossible to be a single parent and a nursing student. I guess I could say I'm looking for advice and motivation. I have always wanted to be a RN. For about 9 years now, to be exact. Being a single parent for 10 years, now with 3 kids, life is HARD. I have learned in my many trials that having a good, solid support system is key. I am already a CNA, but I want more. I consistently feel underpaid and overlooked and it doesn't feel good. I am a very intelligent person, not always confident, but proud enough to express my intelligence. I have never really finished anything that I start. I'm not proud to say that, but it's true. It feels like everyone is waiting for me to fail because that's all they know when it comes to me. There goes what minimal support I used to have. Not to mention, every one in my family has to work. Noone can commit to helping with the kids that much. I feel it's impossible now. I'm sitting here debating on registering for spring but don't know if it's worth continuing anymore. Being a single parent, I don't want to seem like a constant failure. But, I no longer know how to follow thru with my dreams. I know there's questions that will arise, and I can answer. This. Is just the base story. There's plenty more twists and turns. Any advice? Motivation? Tips? Help?

Signed,

A desperate dreamer :unsure:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, I can definitely sympathize with you. I have no kids, but have been a teacher for a long time and I have known many, many single parents and I know it must be very hard to raise the kids all on your own. I may not have exact answers, but I will try to do my best. I assume all your kids are school-aged so they usually spend half the time in school and/or after-school programs. If that is the case, you may take up some classes during this time. I know that working as a CNA does not pay much, so have you considered applying for the government assistance? I mean, you have three kids and the salary that is very low. If going to school full-time is not an option, do so part-time. Yes, it will take you longer but you will be able to work, take care of your kids, and study at your own pace - this all will allow you to be successful. I guess the first step for you is to find a school/s that fits your needs. Speak to an admissions' person at this school and explain your situation; they will work with you to help you figure out the best possible route.

Let me just sum up:

1. Make sure you are financially stable when you embark on your journey.

2. Pick a school/s that will meet your needs (consider a part-time study, if one is available).

3. Find out what financial aid you may be eligible for: speak to a rep at the school's financial aid office.

I hope I was able to provide some ideas you may use.

Good luck! You can do it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel like it is very very hard to finish prerequisites with kids as well. For me, I do not have my fiancé to watch our child (he works so much so I can be a stay at home mom). Because of this, I am unable to go on campus and take my remaining science prerequisites. I'll be taking two online this semester: medical terminology and College English.

I definitely know how you feel being discouraged at moving at a snails pace but chin up! The good news is is that I've gotten A's in all the classes I've taken: psychology, nutrition, human biology....and have learned so much!

My my advice is to take an online class first, or two!

good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in GENERAL.

OP,

I can tell by the the content of your writing along with your knowledge of punctuation and grammar that you really are a smart person.

But three children in ten years with litlle visable means of support makes you a socially inept person. That you can work on.

OK, that's the lecture, nothing new and here's the plan. When you say you are going to register for school, I hear "some for-profit saw me coming and promised to make all my dreams come true by loaning me up to the incisors." Do not fall for this confidence game.

Go to (collegescotecard.ed.gov) find a community college that's inexpensive and start to take the nursing prerequisite courses one at a time until done. This way you can let your native intellegence shine and you will build academic confidence in the process.

All of this will take time and dedication but with patience and hardwork you WILL achieve your goal and with little debt to show for it to boot.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion