Staring into the abyss of education

BeccaznRN, RN · Dec 22, 2006

I can. I began courses at the community college back in 2000....fast forward 6 years - I survived a divorce, countless moves (meaning attending 5 different colleges/universities), and changing my major among many other things to FINALLY get my nursing degree.

I remember very well what it felt like to be looking at years of school before becoming a nurse. And although it doesn't seem like it, the time really does fly. Enjoy the ride!

Jules A, MSN · Dec 22, 2006

Hey,

Well when you look at it like 4 or 5 years, it sure sounds like forever. I usually break things down by semester. If I can just get through this semester...

In the end, it does go quickly. Pat yourself on the back for having your act together at such a young age. Best wishes, Jules

busylady61 · Dec 22, 2006

I know I'm not thrilled that it's going to take me four or five years of night school just to get my R.N. But the realities are that it will take that long because I have to work my way through school; can't afford to quit and go full time.

But hey, look at it this way. Four or five years are going to pass by anyway. You might as well have that degree in hand in 2010 (or whatever the year may be).

I agree with the person who said to enjoy the ride. I have been thinking a lot about this because nursing school is going to take what little private time I have left, after my full time job. I think it's important along the way to appreciate each day and try to find enjoyment in the small things. That's what I'm planning on doing, anyway. I don't want to think of myself as a worker slave/student who has no time for fun. I want to approach this as a great adventure that is going to require that I give my all.

Anyway, good luck with your journey!:icon_biggrin:

fiveofpeep · Dec 22, 2006

Thank you all and good luck to you Busylady. It sounds like youve got a lot to do too :)

Hopefully Ill only have to continue working part time. I just want to get there already hehe. Im glad to know others shared the same thoughts and made it.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2006

I am currently 25 years old. I will be 30 years old whether or not I have my education. I will be 40, 50, and 60 years old whether or not I have an education.

My focal point is that the time will inevitably pass no matter how I choose to spend it. In all honesty, I'd much rather spend the time enriching my knowledge, furthering my education, and making myself more marketable to the workforce.

I am absolutely not intimidated by the amount of time I will spend to further my education because the time is going to pass anyway!

Lori RN_09_2b · Dec 23, 2006

I will be 30 years old whether or not I have my education. I will be 40, 50, and 60 years old whether or not I have an education.

Amen! I try to keep focused on that point, too.

When I was looking at four more years, it seemed like an eternity and I really questioned my sanity. I admit the first year, filled with pre-reqs and one nursing class, seemed long. (Probably also because I had chemistry, which I hated). I'm now in my second year, and the past semester flew by, and from what others in my program have told me, it will continue to fly by. In just a few short months I'll be halfway done! Just hang in there until you get to all the great nursing classes and clinicals--you'll be amazed that there are still 24 hours in a day, cuz there never seems to be enough time for anything!

Don't forget to measure your progress in steps you've already taken, not how many more are ahead. You can do this!

Good luck to you!

lady_db_programmer · Dec 23, 2006

I have about 4 years until I graduate with my BSN (IF I get accepted to CSU LB) otherwise it will be 5 lovely years.
Do you ever find yourself intimidated and frustrated when you realize that you have so much more time until you get to start your career? I know I have the rest of my life to work but sheesh so much happens in 4 years.
Can anyone sympathize with that? Does time fly or go by slooooowlllly?

When you're 18, four years can seem like forever. Trust me, it's not. It goes by in a flash.

JoJo_Ga_Girl · Dec 25, 2006

In 4 or 5 years you will look back and ask yourself where the time went! I finished my pre-req's for nursing school this month and I started from square one in August of 2004. I am 30 now and when I am done with my BSN (I just got my acceptance letter for Fall '07 from Emory last week! Yay me! :lol2: ) I will be 33. I wish I had done it when I was your age but things just didnt work out that way.

Look at it this way too...you will be 22 or 23 when you finish...so much time left to do EVERYTHING. When I was that age I was married and just had my first child. Thanks for reminding me of how old I'm getting :uhoh21:

Good luck with whatever you decide...just don't give up before you start!

Joanna

fiveofpeep · Dec 26, 2006

Thanks yeah Im sure once I get in there itll be better. But Im still excited just for the pre reqs hehe no more general ed that isnt related.

Its just funny how I get ahead of myself. Already thinking about hospitals, etc.

bsugaRN2b · Dec 27, 2006

LOL - trust me, it FLIES!!!!! Time flies, I couldn't believe it when I finished my first semester, I'm almost still in shock, haha...

lady_db_programmer · Dec 27, 2006

Thanks yeah Im sure once I get in there itll be better. But Im still excited just for the pre reqs hehe no more general ed that isnt related.
Its just funny how I get ahead of myself. Already thinking about hospitals, etc.

Do yourself a favor and don't get ahead of yourself. Easier said than done, I know.

You need to focus your energy and attention on what's in front of you and what's immediately ahead. I wouldn't bother thinking ahead any further than the next semester, and even then I wouldn't waste much time on that. You have to focus on your pre-reqs so you can get the grades you need to be a competitive applicant, otherwise you really will have wasted your time worrying about hospitals and such. I know at your age four years seems like a long time, but it really isn't. Just focus on what you have to do now instead of what you have to do for the rest of your life.