did it take anyone else a few *attempts?* of nursing school?

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Well I started it off right (I think)- I am 42 years old.... began taking all of the pre and co reqs six years ago. Got accepted into a great nursing school, 3 weeks shy of semester one completion I had a pretty serious health issue influenced bythird trimester of pregnancy that caused me to withdraw. Reapplied the next year, accepted again..completed one semester and I freaked the start of the second...so overwhelming w more hours away more hours of homework, family responsibilities and things like a good dinner for my family went neglected some days..feeling guilty about my children...so I withdrew again...of course kicked myself in the ace for doing so...that was two years ago. I have my children and divorced and not really any family around for a support system BUT I MISS BEING A NURSING STUDENT and it has always been my dream to be a nurse...here I sit...with ALL the co reqs completed (anat & phys 1 & 2 are about to expire though) and am sooooo close....yet so far. I want to reapply. Did anyone else have to give a go a couple times before completing an RN program just due to family circumstances? Any encouragement, advice and discipline tools are appreciated.

thank you

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Well, you know what to expect.

Of course, you knew what to expect with try #2 so I'd ask myself what's really different this time around.

Only you know if you've got all that it takes (aptitude, energy, time, discipline, money, energy, support, etc) in order to be successful.

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Well, not exactly..but, I know how you feel.. I started LVN school in Aug. 2010 and my first semester, on the day of my last final, my child was involved in a 4 car pile up. I had to leave school that day to make sure she was alive and well.

My second semester my grandmother had a stroke and fell into a coma on my child's birthday and passed away 2 day later. This was 5 days before the semester started. I had to plan, pay for and show up to the memorial service and do school and care for my child. I took 3 days that we were allowed for bereavement after the services.

I am also divorced, like you, and my grandmother was a HUGE support, both physically and emotionally. I finished up the program in December of last year and took my NCLEX-PN April 27, 2012 and passed in 1 hour and 85 questions.

I guess my point is this, at some point we can not let life's hurdles keep being excuses for us to take the easy road out. I had a choice to drop out of school and deal with my grief and pain or to keep pushing for my life long dream. I kept pushing until I passed the finish line.

It was very hard at times. Many of times I wanted to just say...to hell with all of this..but I knew that I could not provide the kind of life for my child that I wish and desire on an income without LVN or RN behind my name. I used that as my fuel to pass every exam placed in front of me and walk the stage and pass the NCLEX on the first try.

I don't know if you trust in the Lord, but I just gave all my sorrow, despair, and ill thoughts to him..and he saw me thru.. God bless you on your path, and I hope that you find the strength to stick with it this time around.

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I am 39 and although I never got as far into the process as you, for the past 2 years, I've gone back and forth so many times I've lost count. Of course, I've thought "if I'd done this 2 years ago, I'd be 3/4 done!". But you can only move forward. I think as an adult with family commitments and just adult "life" there is ALWAYS going to be something in your way. You have to decide if it's worth it for you to overcome the obstacles for those few years.

As for me, I've finally taken the plunge...start my first pre-reqs next week and have applied to an accelerated program for Fall 2013.

Good luck to you whatever direction you choose.

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thank you so far for your thoughts & comments and I wish you all well also :)

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