What to do?

I also posted this on the student forum.

In July, I gave up my seat in the nursing program for the fall start because I was unsure and decided to look into social work. So this semester I am taking two beginning social work classes. Last week I just told me niece that I don't know that social work is for me and was wondering what I will do next semester. I've applied for many jobs, did some interviews and have not had an offer.

So today, I get the mail and there is a letter from the college offering me a seat in the spring start for the ADN program. Now I am totally taken aback because I did not reapply (thought I had to) and did not expect this.

So now I am wondering if this is sign from above that I was meant to start this program. I feel as if someone is trying to tell me something. With no job offers and thinking that social work is not for me, maybe I was meant to do the nursing thing.

I told my husband this and he just looked at me like I was crazy, even though he is very spiritual.

How would you feel? I was actually totally schocked, then sort of excited.

I have until the 17th to go up to the college and sign the form stating I accept this seat so I have some time to ponder over this.

Thanks for reading.

Debi

I would say its a sign. I am a big believer in signs. You can always start nursing and if you decide its not for you............ you have other choices. Nursing has such a variety I think you will find something you really like.

Wow. You have an opportunity that lots of people would love to have. Nursing school is very hard to get into.

If money isn't a huge issue, you can always try the first semester to see how it goes. You can read some posts regarding testing & check-offs to see what kind of things first semester students go through. I'm finishing up my first semester and find it VERY stressful. Just think--you could still be "Class of 2006" (the December group instead of the May group). Unless you were talking about a BSN program.

Its certainly a big decision. I remember getting a last minute scholarship to a private college that I had already written off due to it being expensive and other reasons. Then it shook me up to get this fedex letter about the scholarship. I ended up not going to that school because I'm very indecisive and couldnt put myself through the weighing of pros and cons all over again. I still wonder if I should have gone to that school, and it's been 11 1/2 years!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Take Care!

I am also a believe in signs. Sit down write out your pros and cons. Follow your heart. Good Luck

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I also believe that it was a sign I got the letter and have decided to take the slot. I will give it a shot, maybe this is what I am supposed to be doing. I figure I will still be 42 and unemployed if I don't give it a try,but will always wonder if I should have. If for some reason during the first semester I don't like it or can't do it, at least I will always be able to say I tried.

So Dec. 6 is orientation and all I will have to do is get my physical and scrubs. I have all my shots and updated my CPR in August.

Thanks again.

Debi

studentdeb,

it was good to see your post this morning. i too am struggling with a very similar problem. after many years in the software business i decided it was time to go back to school and do what i really wanted to do unfortunately i have two loves -- nursing and education. i have been taking nursing pre-req's for the past year and a half and have applied to enter the nursing program in january. our acceptance letters will not be sent until the 15th of december so i am in the holding-my-breath stage.

in the mean time, i have taken a couple of education methods classes at a local university and have actually started working with a few students and observing.

now what to do? i feel my heart tugging me into nursing but my husband has also decided to go back to school into education. do i go the education route and have nights, weekends, summers, and holidays off with him or do i go the nursing route?

i think your letter is a sign and i am glad you will be giving nursing a shot. it is better to try to make an informed decision by doing then always wonder.

studentdeb,

it was good to see your post this morning. i too am struggling with a very similar problem. after many years in the software business i decided it was time to go back to school and do what i really wanted to do unfortunately i have two loves -- nursing and education. i have been taking nursing pre-req's for the past year and a half and have applied to enter the nursing program in january. our acceptance letters will not be sent until the 15th of december so i am in the holding-my-breath stage.

in the mean time, i have taken a couple of education methods classes at a local university and have actually started working with a few students and observing.

now what to do? i feel my heart tugging me into nursing but my husband has also decided to go back to school into education. do i go the education route and have nights, weekends, summers, and holidays off with him or do i go the nursing route?

i think your letter is a sign and i am glad you will be giving nursing a shot. it is better to try to make an informed decision by doing then always wonder.

wow, i can't believe they send out the acceptance letters so late. doesn't give you much time to get everything ready.

i know it's such a hard decision to make. after taking a couple of social work classes, i know better about that field and since i got my letter, i figure this is my last shot at nursing so i need to go for it. social work isn't going anywhere.

after taking the education courses, how do you feel? do you think that is what you want to do? i'm sure it would be nice to be off with your husband and all and i struggled with nursing somewhat due to the type of scheduling, but for me i plan to work part-time and figured it would be ok to work every other weekend and holiday. (i hope)

good luck in your decision and hopefully you will get that acceptance letter in a few weeks. let us know.

debi

I too believe in signs, but I also got an acceptance letter for fall term 2002...I graduated 2000! LOL! A little computer screw up there, so make sure this is for real before putting your heart out on the line...

Also remember the time factor like you brought up with your husband. I so missed my husband while I was in school, and caught a bit of a break early in my career where we actually saw eachother again. Now I am back to being lucky to see him everyother weekend if that. I can't go to my kids activities, or be there to help them with their homework, and sometimes I really hit myself in the head that I am spending so much time helping others that I can't do even basic helpful things for my OWN family...and that does weigh on you (that whole "well I am making money for my family thing worked for about a year"...now it doesn't...and I see my little on growing up so fast and I have basically missed the last 4 years of it...time I will never get back).

Find your personal goals, and really know your own personal limitations of what you are willing and not willing to do..this is important. Notice I said PERSONAL, not nursing or career goals..but your own heart. What is it you want to do with your time on this earth? If the answer keeps coming back "I want to help people" then you haven't thought hard enough..how do you wish to help people??? Are family included if not most important? What gives you a feeling of satisfaction in life? (don't say help people..LOL!)...what are your hobbies? Write it all down and see, or even ask if a nurses schedule fits these ideas and goals that mean something to you personally! Wish someone had told me to do that first...I still would have gone into nursing at the time, but it would have been a GREAT addition to my mindset during school and choosing a job.

Also..if you have an opportunity...can you sit down and talk to a student nurse currently in the program and a RN from a hospital or other clinical setting to ask about nursing....best to get it from the sources! I am very open and honest to people when they ask me (obviously)...and I have 5 friends that applied, 3 in, and 4 that chose another path because it wasn't for them (I was lucky and could have them shadow me for a day at work!).

Good luck in your choice, and remember to list your personal wishes and dreams honestly first..and then see if this is the right fit.

I too believe in signs, but I also got an acceptance letter for fall term 2002...I graduated 2000! LOL! A little computer screw up there, so make sure this is for real before putting your heart out on the line...

Also remember the time factor like you brought up with your husband. I so missed my husband while I was in school, and caught a bit of a break early in my career where we actually saw eachother again. Now I am back to being lucky to see him everyother weekend if that. I can't go to my kids activities, or be there to help them with their homework, and sometimes I really hit myself in the head that I am spending so much time helping others that I can't do even basic helpful things for my OWN family...and that does weigh on you (that whole "well I am making money for my family thing worked for about a year"...now it doesn't...and I see my little on growing up so fast and I have basically missed the last 4 years of it...time I will never get back).

Find your personal goals, and really know your own personal limitations of what you are willing and not willing to do..this is important. Notice I said PERSONAL, not nursing or career goals..but your own heart. What is it you want to do with your time on this earth? If the answer keeps coming back "I want to help people" then you haven't thought hard enough..how do you wish to help people??? Are family included if not most important? What gives you a feeling of satisfaction in life? (don't say help people..LOL!)...what are your hobbies? Write it all down and see, or even ask if a nurses schedule fits these ideas and goals that mean something to you personally! Wish someone had told me to do that first...I still would have gone into nursing at the time, but it would have been a GREAT addition to my mindset during school and choosing a job.

Also..if you have an opportunity...can you sit down and talk to a student nurse currently in the program and a RN from a hospital or other clinical setting to ask about nursing....best to get it from the sources! I am very open and honest to people when they ask me (obviously)...and I have 5 friends that applied, 3 in, and 4 that chose another path because it wasn't for them (I was lucky and could have them shadow me for a day at work!).

Good luck in your choice, and remember to list your personal wishes and dreams honestly first..and then see if this is the right fit.

Wow, this was a great post. You have given me alot to think about. I have spoken with my niece who has one more semester of nursing school. I was supposed to start when she did but didn't. She really likes it and has encouraged me to give it a try. Don't get me wrong, I know what is entailed and all the work involved, she hasn't sugar coated it at all. I've also shadowed a nurse before.

I plan to work part-time most so hoping that will help with the not missing too much of the kids activities. I've been taking classes for a few years now and have missed one or two things but it hasnt' been too bad so far.

Anyway, thanks for your input and I will certainly give it alot of thought.

Debi