What is with me?? Do I give up?

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Jan 4, 2008

A&P is difficult no matter which way you slice it. Actually I clep'd A&P. No I'm not super smart but it was far easier for me to take it that way. I got credit for I and II with the one clep test. I bought a textbook from www.half.com not a brand new edition but one a year or two old, about $35 including the shipping. Get the clep study guide through http://www.instantcert.com/studyguide/landingVa2.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=Paid%2BCampaigns&utm_content=Va2 but don't fall for the pass a test in days gibberish. It's not happening.There are other study guides available. Just google study guide for clep exams. I believe there are free ones also through the clep organization.

I wrote down everything I was required to know in a spiral notebook and then studied and studied that spiral notebook. I also recorded all of my notes to listen to in the car. It took me 6 months of studying but I clep'd I and II with an A.

First, of course, make sure your college accepts A&P clep. I never had to do any labs. Good Luck. Try not to give up.

Future-nurse · Jan 4, 2008

I always go with the quote "What would you want your kids to do if they were in your situation?"

Its easy for people to look at that and want their kids to keep fighting... most people then cop out and just dont do it.

Hold yourself as accountable as you would your kids. I hope the best for you.

okchug · Jan 4, 2008

I'm sorry to hear about your hardship. I understand. After I lost my mom (she was 54) I was grieving for a long time and felt out of control. At the same time my hubby was clinically depressed and no help with our two young children. But I can't imagine losing both parents, I'm so sorry. I saw a grief counselor which really helped me regain control. I also learned about "Love and Logic" in dealing with the kids. there's a book on it but I can't remember the author. This helped me stop nagging and yelling- saved my sanity. Look into it. As far as nursing, why not find an LPN program? They combine all the classes into one program and have no pre-reqs. Since your kids are in school, you could go during the day too. Some people might think the LPN is a waste but it depends on the individual situation. You could work as an LPN for more $$$ than a CNA and go on to the RN when you're ready. Don't give up. there are more than a few ways to be nurse. Keep trying and seek help if you feel that the grief keeps you from moving forward. Take care. Good luck!

ViolettaCCU, MSN · Jan 4, 2008

hello!

i will be starting the rn nursing program this month and, believe me, almost all of us have taken about 3-4 years for pre-req's. almost all of us are over 35, married/divorced, kids, dogs, inlaws, jobs, budgets, etc...somewhere on this forum i read that the average new rn is around 45 years old.

it took me a l-o-n-g time to get this far, too: unemployment (both me and hubby after 9/11), caring for my father (alzheimers) and his subsequent death, sudden death of my father in law, suffering a horrible car accident, family issues with disbursement of the estates, children with health problems, it just goes on and on.

i find that i truly enjoy having the house to myself when the kids go off to school! i noticed that your youngest is 6 - kindergarten? setting up a routine once the kids are out the door is essential.

if you can, dedicate a room/desk/area for studying. once you get home from class, type up your lecture notes - this really helps in planting the information in your brain. look up your textbook's website- i've found that many science books have their own online study guides - very helpful. also when you get home from class, do any assignments you have right away...procrastination does not an a make!

like i said, i'm starting the rn program that will have me out the door by 6:15am on clinical days...gotta trust my middle school son to get himself moving and out the door - eek! it'll be hard (its hard enough when i'm around) so i'm taking advantage of my new year resolution to my family: do it yourself! i am not their maid (i guess no one told them that) and i shouldn't have to remind them about their duties or due dates for assignments. (i'm still their chauffeur, though.)

persistence will pay off and, who knows? you might find other areas of interest that fulfill you in ways you didn't know you lacked!

good luck and i wish you the best!

graymama · Jan 4, 2008

I think a lot of us feel for you. I have 4 kids and went through a tough few years of a very sick child, miscarriages, sick husband, a move. If there is one thing, you deal and move on. But when things come back-to-back, you really don't get your recovery time. I was never diagnosed, but realize now that I was depressed for several years. Depression can lead to short temper with kids, as well as an inability to focus. The other thing that I had going on was hyperthyroidism - I didn't know it, but all these vague symptoms were indicative of it. Medication for my thyroid really helped... I would suggest a complete physical for yourself, and ask about depression and thyroid. There are a lot of us in our late 30s taking care of everyone but ourselves...

I was lucky that I did not start on my pre-reqs until I was through the worst of it...there are still bumps, but nothing like those few really hard years...

Best wishes to you!

Dottie78 · Jan 4, 2008

Gosh, I'm so sorry to hear about your hardships. :icon_hug: I understand what you're going through, because I too have a full-time job, and married with two young children, and sometimes I get overwhelmed. Don't feel bad about taking 3 years to do prereqs, because a lot of us have done it that way too. It's taken me around 3 years as well. Sometimes life tends to throw us curve-balls, and we need to take those as they come, a day at a time. :uhoh3: Try to calm down, and get your hubby and kids to help you around the house. And another thing, don't sweat the small stuff!

It's not just you, A&P can be challenging, especially when you have other things going on in your life. I envy those who have gotten A's in A&P, because I had a hard time myself. I took A&P I and got a C, so I took it over and got a B. Then I got a C in A&P II, and decided to leave it at that. Needless to say, A&P was nothing like I thought it would be. There was so much information and so little time to learn it, which makes it so time-consuming! It's not an easy road, and I don't see nursing school to be any easier. (Hopefully be starting next spring.)

Good luck, and don't give up.

angieleelee · Jan 5, 2008

Im going to asume your wanting to go through Rn program. You could settle for the LPN program. Do that for a few years then transfer to Rn when things get a little less sticky. By the time your done with school you could of been a doctor lol. Most LPNs dont have any Prereq's. One year of school you will be making only a few dollars less as opposed to 5 years of school and a few dollars more an hour. Thats taking in consideration your 3 years plus 2 more for RN.

MarathonGirl · Jan 5, 2008

I think if you are doing fine financially, you need to hire a babysitter, to come in at least twice a week for four hours each time so that you can focus on *yourself*. You have been through a lot. Don't be too hard on yourself. Take some space to breath, sign up for A&P again and hire a babysitter. :)

kukukajoo, LPN · Jan 6, 2008

Every class you take and do good on is one step closer to being a nurse.

Keep plugging away, retake the classes you need to and keep going forward.

Try to get your emotional health in check in the meantime. Possibly see a doc, or a counselor. Maybe both. Medicines and behavior modification may help.

You CAN do it!

angelgreg · Jan 6, 2008

I am also going to school for Nursing and have 3 children. It is very stressful! School is stressful on it's own then you couple that with the everyday chaos of being a mom and a wife and a student it gets very hecitc.

It just seems to me that you have come so far and have been at it for such a long it would be a shame to drop out now. Maybe you could go to the Dr. and explain what is going on and he may be able to prescribe you some kind of anxiey medicine. Just enough to take the edge off. I can't imagine the stress of being the only parent all week. I get stressed and count the hours until my husband gets home at 6.

I had a hard time with A&P1 as well. The bones and muscles were my hurddle. But, I just went to every open lab and studied when the kids went to bed. Then studied while they were at school. I pushed my way through. Then when I got to A&P2 it all came together.

I wish you all the luck in the world. Don't give up. Maybe take a break but, don't give up!

kristyj · Jan 17, 2008

Please, please, don't give up! Just keep repeating..."this too shall pass, this too shall pass". I too have taken three years to do the pre-reqs., I started in 2005! Geesh, 2005! My son was a not even a year yet, and now he almost three...don't even get me started on the mommy guilt : (. With work, kids, and our daily lives, the "average" year/year and a half for pre-reqs is just unrealistic! It is not just you...this is very common with the nursing student...this too shall pass..this too shall pass. Just think, how great is it going to be when your kiddos see you walk the stage...thinking to themselves..yeah that's my mom!

I am a single mother of my son. When he goes to bed that is my time to study, and get things done. We may have to do a couple all nighters, us Rn students...but we can do it! And I don't think you need anxiety medicine, its normal to be anxious while doing the stuff your getting done, and all that your going through. Its perfectly normal to be anxious..just make sure you make some you time in your schedule. I know thats hard...but it will make you feel better, and it may help you concentrate. Try after the kiddos go to sleep, for about 20 minutes or so, just relax, enjoy the quiet, read a book(not a&p lol), or anything that you like that relaxes you. It may seem just like twenty minutes, but it may surprize you and give ya' a much needed energy boost!

You can do it!

Hope I helped!