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Hello all you lovely nurses and students! Merry Christmas, first of all. Now, on to my issue:
I am starting an ADN program in January at the local community college. I've dreamed of this for 18 years, and I'm finally doing it. I already have a Bachelor's Degree, so I will not be taking any of the Gen Ed courses. I also received A's in A&P I and Developmental Psych (the two classes I took this fall). I was in the 96th percentile on my NLN entrance exam, too. I'm telling you all this to establish that I am a solid student academically. School has always been a bit easier for me than others...that's just the person I am.
Now, unfortunately, my entrance to this wonderful program is tainted with the end of my 16-year marriage. We do not have kids, so I will not be dealing with that stress. But, I will be setting up an apartment, starting a part-time job as a Nurse Aide, dealing with loneliness (I have no family here), grieving the loss of my marriage, and starting my first semester of nursing school.
Has anyone else had this all happen at once? I guess I just want a little pep talk from those who have survived it all and come out the other side shining. I'm a very determined person, but I'm also somewhat immature when it comes to emotional issues. Thanks for any advice or stories you can share with me.
When my husband of 19 years left, I enrolled in nursing school. A year later the divorce was final. He got the house. I bought a mobile home so I could afford the bills. It is old and not pretty, but it is a roof over mine and my son's heads until we can afford better. I am an A student. This dispite a traumatic engagement (drugs suck!!). Use the loneliness to provide uninterupted study time.
When you absolutely need to have friends outside of nursing school, try a singles group like those on meetup.com. There is no presssure to date or to attend certain events. You just come and go as you are able. My group was a lifesaver for me. Hours spent home alone with only the dog to talk to were getting to me. Now when I feel like my head is about to explode from the studying and the dog is starting to answer back, I go out for dinner or drinks with the group. Then I am refreshed enough to head back to the books.
MermiesGreatGig
75 Posts
Thank you to everyone. Your time and words are more appreciated than you can imagine. I have no choice but to just throw myself into school and allow it to consume me. I need something this intense on which to focus, and I'm going to just dive right in. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and here's to a happy, prosperous, and focused New Year for us all!!!!!