Hello to all the nurses! I am just entering an ADN program. I spent 1yr. doing prereqs and did well. I am married and have 4 children. I am very scared and half doubting myself. Other students say I will have no social life at all. This is sad to hear b/c I don't know how I will survive if I have no other fun things in my life. I have always wanted to be a nurse. I have also heard that many marriages don't survive nur. school. My husband is supportiveand I think we can make it. I just can't believe I am already so stressed and I haven't even begun yet. I can't sleep and I feel I have to be totally organized before I begin. I hope this is just fear of the unknown. I am very caring and study hard, I really want this, so why am I doubtful 2 wks. before classes begin ??If anyone has any advise or hints to being organized I would greatly appreciate it. Not many nur. students are married w/ children, yes some are but I feel we nontraditional students have an even harder hill to climb. Just my opinion. Becky
REBECCA, FIRST OFF.. TAKE A DEEP BREATH,TRY TO RELAX AND PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE.YOU HAVE MOST OF YOUR PREREQ. OUT OF THE WAY,THAT IS A BIG PLUS.YOU DO NEED TO SET ASIDE TIME EVERY WEEK FOR SOME FUN,SLEEP OR WHAT EVER YOU NEED TO DO THAT GIVES YOU A BREAK FROM SCHOOL.I LEFT FRI.AFTERNOONS-EVE AFTER CLINICALS FOR MY TIME.I MUST TELL YOU THOUGH THAT NURSING SCHOOL IS A HUGE COMMITMENT-EMOTIONALLY-FINANCIALLY.FOR ME THE COURSE WAS HARD,OUR SCHOOL HAD A 79 AND ABOVE TO PASS.I SPENT MANY HOURS READING,STUDYING AND PREPARING.SOME OF THE OTHER STUDENTS IN OUR CLASS HAD CHILDREN,WERE TAKING OTHER CLASSES AND WORKED,ONLY ONE PERSON DID NOT HAVE CHILDREN,A FEW PEOPLE WENT THROUGH A DIVORCE.SO I ALWAYS FELT THAT MY LOAD WAS EASIER( MY CHILDREN ARE TEENS,MY HUSBAND IS SUPPORTIVE)I WORKED 24 HOURS(2-12'S)AND HAD CLINICAL/CLASS 4 DAYS A WEEK.YOU CAN DO IT-IT WILL BE WELL WORTH YOUR TIME,LEARN SOME RELAXATION TECHNIQUES, AND KEEP THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE,DO TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY THEY CAN REALLY HELP YOU WITH THERE SUPPORT. OUR SCHOOL ALSO DID A MENTOR PROGRAM WHERE SENIOR STUDENTS WERE ASSIGNED TO FRESHMAN IF THEY WANTED TO HELP WITH ORGANIZATION,STUDY TIPS,AND NOTE TAKING,THEY WILL ALSO OFFER ADVICE ON CLINICAL ROTATIONS AND SUCH,IT WAS A HUGE HELP TO ME.ALSO YOU CAN OBSERVE WHAT WORKS WELL FOR SOME STUDENTS MIGHT ALSO WORK FOR YOU.DEVELOP A STUDY GROUP,USUALLY 1-2 PEOPLE AT THE MOST SO YOU WILL STAY FOCUSED.HOPE THIS HELPS.YOU CAN DO IT IF YOU REALLY WANT IT.JEANNE
