Starting class next week

amymina · Aug 29, 2009

I feel your pain right now - I am starting next week and though I am not a single mom - I have three kids and my hubby works during the day and is also attending school part time online and two of our kids have special needs, so I am already a wreck. My advice - keep up on your reading if you can and take advantage of any relatives or friends nearby that want to borrow your kid/kids for the evening, night, weekend or whenever is good. If you meet any other nursing students in a similar sitation with kids in a close age group, maybe you guys could have a "play date" for the kids while you study for tests and work to get through the classes. You never know. There is also a book called "How to survive nursing school and maybe even like it" by kelli dunham that give tips to making it through nursing school and you can get it pretty cheap on ebay if you want to. Good luck and I hope everything works out for you! It will so be worth it in the end.

youcandoit · Aug 29, 2009

Hi there,

I'm only in my second semester but I can share with you what advice I have so far....

First: I would brush up on my math. In nursing school we do dosage calculations. In my required text book for math there was sections with basic math leading up to the new material you will be learning for school. Your required text book should be set up the same way. Look over the material and do the practice problems just to make sure you are comfortable with it.

Second: Try to get as organized as possible. Make sure there is food in your fridge, clean up, make sure your car is up to par, if your a single mom and you need a sitter make sure you have a back up for your back up, get a calendar.

Third: Mingle at school. This website is a great resource but see if you can maybe buddy up with a student that is maybe a semester or so ahead of you. That way you have a clearer idea of what to expect.

The work itself is not hard but it is a lot of material. The worst thing you can do is fall behind on your reading. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

melaone · Aug 30, 2009

Thanks to all that have replied,.....really good advice that i havent thought of, the play date may actually work!!!!

im gonna try my best!

CrunchyMama, ASN, RN · Aug 30, 2009

Welcome and good luck!!! I started last Monday..it's crazy, so much reading! If you're good with time management, then you'll be fine.

sh1901 · Aug 31, 2009

I agree with the pp's that you need to just get all your duck in a row before you start. Get caught up on laundry, stock the fridge & cupboards, get the car inspected, whatever you need to do. Once you get going, it's hectic. I also suggest that you keep up with your reading. If you fall behind, it is nearly impossible to get caught up.

I have certain days/times that I set aside for the "necessities" of life. Like a certain day is laundry day another is when I go to the store, etc. There are times when it doesn't work out the way I like, but by having a schedule I at least have something to TRY to stick to and I'm less likely to forget anything.

I'm also a big fan of lists. Grocery list, list of things to do, list of things to pick-up/drop-off, etc. That way I can just check it off as I get it done and I don't have to rely on my brain to remember all of the cranial nerves, and my grocery list all at once.

Good luck!