Starting 1st Year in ADN Program - ADVICE Needed Please :)

Published

I got accepted into the nursing program in a 2 year college that's about 45 mins from me. The program starts January 12th, and I've pretty much gotten most of my things ready to start. You know, like CPR, immunizations, uniforms, and other things on the checklist. I'm SOOOO excited to start, I really am. i've been doing In-Home Daycare for about 2 years now, and I got really burned out on caring for infants and toddlers everyday without ever leaving my home or going anywhere with it. I loved the kids and the pay was great ($680/wk), but I have always wanted to be a nurse. I was a CNA for about a year ( a couple years ago ), and I renewed my CNA cert just in case I need to work. I told all my daycare families I'm quitting daycare Jan 8th.

What I'm scared about is 1) Our Income and 2) Getting Through School! I did get the maximum Federal Stafford loan, but I won't get the disbursement until mid-February. And it only averages out to $700-$800 a month. And I was bringing in close to $700 a WEEK doing daycare. I've minimized some of our bills, and set up a budget... but I still end up being $200-$300 in the hole :( I just hope we can figure out how to make it with the loan and hubby's income. I'm going to babysit when I can since that's easy income, and it would be at night and give me time to study. But it's not reliable. Any suggestions on income and how to make it work without making our lives miserable?

About Getting through school... I'm so nervous about this. I heard it is SOOO intense, and that it's very hard. Any idea of what the 1st semester is like for those who have gone through the 1st semester already? I would love any info you can share (and I know all schools are different). I will be taking just Fundamentals and Pharmacology, so at least there won't be any other classes I have to worry about :) Please share what you can with me about the 1st semster, I would greatly appreciate it!!! Thanks so much! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Perioperative, ACU, Hospice.

Hi,

I start my 3rd semester of an ADN program on Jan. 12th. I don't have much advice for you, other than to tell you that yes, it is intense and you will have to study, study, study! Do the reading and don't fall behind. You CAN do it! My program sounds similar to yours, it was Fundamentals and Pharm first semester, but that is ENOUGH, trust me.

About your finacial situation, you might want to try a private loan. I took out a Tuition Answer Loan from Sallie Mae to help me get through. I applied online and had a check in my hand within two weeks.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

Hello & congratulations on getting in. Nursing school is entirely different from "regular" subject school. I will tell you that it will take up all your time (NEVER get behind on your reading) - study in between classes (or every opportunity you get), don't take up any other classes unless you have to (so in your case, might as well take them in the first semester while your load is "light"), try not to procrastinate (because memorization can only get you so far), use the CD rom that came with your textbooks, answer the review questions (when you can), try to record lectures and listen to them in your car (if you are this type of learner), set aside 1 day off a week for yourself/family (and protect that time), and learn to budget your time wisely. Lastly, don't give up. It is hard but it is do-able if you take it one day at a time. Good luck. You can do this. :)

Oh and tell your husband and kids that they will not see you for a while. LOL.

PS. I am about to start my 3rd semester this Spring.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was nearly in the same boat a year and half ago and I have one more semester to go. Two word pray and study :)

1. Attend every class and clinical

2. Be on time

3. Try not to be too verbal

4. Read daily, stop when you are no longer retaining

5. Practice NCLEX questions according to which section you are going over

6. My husband and I had to rely on a miracle every month from God to help us pay our bills because nursing is my second career. I took out stafford loans and private loan from Salliemae. In addition, maybe you can work as a CNA on the weekends or after your first semester of school you can work as a student nurse tech (snt). Student nurse positions varies depending on hospital. For example, I work at the VA and they allow their snt a very flexible schedule whereas other hospitals may want you to work 12 hr shifts and penalize you if cancel due to a test. Good Luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just finished my first semester with a 4.0. The above advice is great. The only advice I have is read. Read every page mentioned in the syllabus, and then read it again if you can. As one of the second-year students told us in a little talk he gave at the beginning of last semester, if you don't plan to do the reading, don't plan to be a nurse. I know some people say they don't do the reading and pass, but I would not chance it.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Could you take in a kid or two from parents that work the overnight shift to augment your income? Since you are already in the nursing program its just a matter of working out the kinks now. Congrats.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Could you take in a kid or two from parents that work the overnight shift to augment your income? Since you are already in the nursing program its just a matter of working out the kinks now. Congrats.

Hopefully we can figure it out... I may do something like this while hubby is deployed. He's in the airforce, and he's getting deployed for 2-6 months in March right around the time my clinicals start. I'm just nervous thinking about everything, and I'm one of those people who likes to have a plan. But right now, things seem to be a bit up in the air!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg ICU, NICU.

While it is not ideal it is very doable to hold a job and go to school at the same time. I managed to work full time and still graduate with a 3.90 GPA. You just have to set your mind to it. As other posters have mentioned do not get behind in your reading and avoid procrastination at all costs. Nursing school is a wild and crazy ride but well worth it in the end. Wishing you the best of luck. :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats!!!!! It will all work out.I agree pray and read. With god all things are possible. In January I will start are hope to finish my last semester in nursing school. I'm so excited to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Just stay on top of your readings and utilze all your resources. With support from your family and new nursing buddies you will weather the storm together. God bless

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion