The Courage to go back to Nursing School

missdirection928 · Jun 9, 2011

This isn't my first go around either. I went to school about 6 years ago and was trying to work a full time job at the same time. Some people have the stamina to do it but my grades definitely suffered and I had to work because I was living on my own and supporting myself. I have matured so much since then. I've worked a half dozen or so admin type jobs and realized that that was not the field I wanted to be in for the rest of my life.

I've since gotten married and my MIL used to be a nurse and gave me a totally different perspective on nursing than what I had pictured it to be. We are having to sacrifice A LOT for me to go back to school full time and not work. We live at the dead end of a dirt road in a tiny tiny cottage(I'm talking about NO rooms, our bedroom is our living room is our closet and our office) and we can't go out and do things with our friends and family like we once could. He's working a job that he dislikes with great intensity(and me too for that matter).

However, we both know that it's for the best for our future and have to take it day by day. I know that there's no way that I could do as well as I'm doing in NS if I had a job. It's been difficult for me to swallow because I have always been very independent and supported myself. I do know that it is a great opportunity for me to advance to something wonderful and I have to seize that opportunity.

I hope that you realize that you only need to believe in yourself first. If NS is your dream then do NOT let anyone else's negative attitude stand in your way. As Metallica would say, "What don't kill ya, make you more strong." Don't know if your a heavy rock fan but Broken, Beat and Scarred is my theme song to get me through NS. Good Luck with everything!

KA Stritt · Jun 9, 2011

i am very much like you in that nursing is a passion for me also. no matter what job i have during the day, i always miss nursing. i also will be working and going to school - for me, there's no way around it. i know the challenges ahead of time, but am willing to put in the time and effort that it will take for the end result. if you put your mind into it and try your hardest, you will do nothing but succeed. in the end, you can look back at the adversity you've faced and feel strong, happy, and confident that you made it through.

i'm not saying it's not going to be hard - because is it. nursing is a challenging field. nursing school is all about your gpa - studying - labs - clinical - it is a lot. in the end, you're learning about what you love and that will make it easier.

if you don't have people surrounding you that believe in you, then that will be the job of your fellow nursing students. we all go through the same feelings and we will all graduate together in the end. think of only the positives and let the negatives go. :twocents:

LittleLiz8235 · Jun 10, 2011

YOU have to have faith in you first. Your faith is the only one that even really matters, because you are the one that looks at yourself in the mirror every single day. If you really want to be a nurse, then by golly become one! Figure out what you have to do to be successful-what is your learning style? Do you have an academic weakness that you need to work on (in my case, it's math!)? Set a goal and then do everything in your power to achieve it! Btw you already achieved what most of us are dreaming of-you got IN to nursing school!!! So I know you can achieve your dream. :yeah:

mzrainydayz, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2011

I understand what you are going through I was in the same situation about a year ago working and going to nursing school I failed by a .5 I had to have a average of 80. I had personal issues going on like babysitting and behind on bills. Anyway I am in the process of now taking my college alegbra to get into ADN program. I also realized that I needed a new study habit. See I have a passion to become a nurse, there is something inside that won't let me give up. Everyone is like why don't you try to do med assistace, pharm, rad, or dental hygiene, but its not my passion. All I can say is follow your heart and dreams. I wish you the best of luck.

canchaser, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2011

Wow, OP you are describing me except my demon is anesthesia school. I flunked out with 2 c's. it haunts me every day. I drive an hour to work and cry at least weekly. My boss referred me to the employee assistance program for counseling she had kept asking me what did they do to you? She has no idea the loss, the despair or the person looking back at me each morning. I letf the ICU cause I couldn't face my coworkers.I dont think anyone can know the agony and pain this can cause. Im wondering if np might fill the void. I dont know, I had been working for this degree since 2007.

I can totally empathize with you and I know you and I are not the only ones feeling this way.

proudmommy · Jun 10, 2011

You can do it! You already got in somewhere. THats half the battle. I have heard this happens to a lot of students. Look into retention rates of the school. Find a school with high percentages. Are you in GA by chance?

Dont give up! Keep us posted!

hpygrp:

whichway · Jun 10, 2011

I graduated from high school wanting to be a nurse. Life got in the way and it didn't happen. I was given the opportunity to re-evaulate after the end of 21 year job and the end of a 16 year marriage. I'm in nursing school now and I can tell you it is tough. There are a few things I've done to help me succeed.

I saved enough money to live on while I go to school so I have the time to study. When you commit to taking the courses, you have to commit to study.

I'm taking courses in writting and public speaking so my papers and speeches/powerpoints are better. Those courses also helped wth how to organize my thoughts. Right now I'm in a critical thinking course with the idea all combined with my science,math and nursing courses the classes will prepare me for my goal which is to be a nurse.

For me, I had to set the goal and figure out what I needed to get there. Your experience as a CNA is a plus. Set a goal. Make a plan. You know where life got in the way last time. Figure how to avoid or over come. You can do it. Plan for the ups and the downs.

mt2school · Jun 10, 2011

YOU have to have faith in you first. Your faith is the only one that even really matters, because you are the one that looks at yourself in the mirror every single day. If you really want to be a nurse, then by golly become one! Figure out what you have to do to be successful-what is your learning style? Do you have an academic weakness that you need to work on (in my case, it's math!)? Set a goal and then do everything in your power to achieve it! Btw you already achieved what most of us are dreaming of-you got IN to nursing school!!! So I know you can achieve your dream.

I can relate to you all on SO MANY levels! I too had a really rough start once i got into college out of high school. I had to support myself and maintain my school work and it was hard when i had bills to pay. Work came over college and i failed out of my first university. That was a huge wake up call. I refused to let that get in my way and i went to a technical college where i graduated with a 3.4GPA. It definatley helped that they worked around busy schedules. I worked for several years, got married and i've been home with my kids for the last 4 years. And in the last 2 years, i've been wanting to do nursing. It's all i think about, all i want to do. I am lucky in that i have a very supportive husband who is letting my fulfil my dream but what sucks is that we are BROKE. Literally living pay check to pay check in order to support my going back to school. I"m studying really hard for the TEAS V test i will take in august and i'm terrified of the math section! AND deep down inside, i have the huge fear that i'm going to fail just like i did in my first experience in college. HUGE fear. But i have FAITH, and feel different this go round, it's going to be so much work but i'm READY. And i feel ready, unlike i did after high school.:redpinkhe