Become an RN

I finished my second of four semesters. It was definitely not as easy as the first one. I have already set down a reading schedule to strengthen me this summer in the topics I did not comprehend as well as I would like.

i start the nursing program in fall 2009. aug 16 is my orientation and i can’t be more anxious about the next two years in my life.

I am just about at the end of 1st year, and am doing well!

i ended up taking time off school due to issues with my pregnancy, but i only have one quarter left, which i will begin april, before i can take my state boards. at least i have my lpn, but it’s not enough!

So this quarter of school was insane. With my husband working two jobs and me trying to work and go to school with three kids, it’s been much more stressful than I ever imagined. My husband recently got his bachelor’s and was a huge inspiration making me feel like I could really do this. I’m learning that there is a huge difference here. First of all, all he had to do was go to school. I’m going to school and still primarily responsible for our three kids, housekeeping and cooking. He does what he can to help but working two jobs, he can’t do much besides sleep when he can. I’m just going to try to stay positive and keep chipping away at it. One or two classes a quarter while and before I know it, my prerequisites will be done.

My dream is to be an ER nurse and then become a nurse practitioner. I want to serve my community by caring for the sick and inspiring people to take better care of themselves. I’ve thought about quitting school to work full-time so that my husband could work just one job but I refuse to quit. I may work more hours, but not full-time. I know that if I just do a little at a time, I will get there.

I am currently enrolled in school working on the prerequisites for nursing school. It is hard to balance everything and I’m having to make some sacrifices but I try to keep the lonn-term goal in the forefront of my mind. Right now I’m taking college algebra and psychology. Both instructors are really good. Going to school with a husband, three kids and a job is no joke but this is a dream I am committed to fulfilling. My husband just got his Bachelor’s in Human Services and is very supportive of me. I thank God for his example and for his support. Love.

Things that have gotten done so far:
2. Order my Nursing Skills Bag. This must be done by August 11, but should be done by the end of this weekend. ($92.00)
3. Get fitted for my uniform & order. Probably on Saturday, June 28th. Must be done by July 23rd.
4. Purchase textbooks
8. Notify the Medical Calculation Instructor that I will take the test on July 24 by sending an email after July 5.

The remainder of my list from my June 2o, 2008 entry has yet to be addressed. I must also add to it

11. Take Medical Calculation test on July 24.

On the whole things are going smoothly so far.

So I attended orientation today. Lots of stuff to do before school actually starts on August 27.

Here’s a list of practical things that need doing this summer:

1. Get a picture I.D. at school. (the I.D. office was closed after the orientation, so this was postponed.)
2. Order my Nursing Skills Bag. This must be done by August 11, but should be done by the end of this weekend. ($92.00)
3. Get fitted for my uniform & order. Probably on Saturday, June 28th. Must be done by July 23rd.
4. Purchase textbooks
5. Purchase stethoscope. (can be done from uniform vendor)
6. Buy a second set of all white sneakers.
7. Buy some V-neck tee shirts. (sounds silly, but I like crew necks and the school does not want anything showing underneath the uniform polo shirt.)
8. Notify the Medical Calculation Instructor that I will take the test on July 24 by sending an email after July 5.
9. Pick up student handbook on or about August 15th.
10. Start reading the textbook. As I will not have a syllabus until August, this should be more of an overview with an emphasis on the early chapters, for now.

Now I just have to do today what I can, what I can’t I should put onto my calendar to get done, and then check my calendar on a regular basis to make sure it all gets done.

Paul

RN.. So much more then Registard Nurse… Secrectly, I think RN.. and it pops in my head.. “READY NOW” You, know I am finally at a point in my life where I am ready to commit to a program and coarse of study with an end result. I know that there are tons of things I will want to do and accomplish but being a compassionate, giving, and talented nurse is one of them. There have been so many times when I just wanted to make someones day, I’m not so sure I will have the gift to be a great nurse, but I certainly want to try. I have always shyed away from medicene and sci.. but i’m going to commit myself to studing more than ever and putting myself in a new enviroment that is not only refreshing but also supportive. I’m moving to AZ from CA in about a month and a half and i’ve never been more terrified about not making it, but comments that people make, like..”well you’ve never been as driven”.. just fuel that desire, deep down I know I can achieve I just have to start following through on my plans of attack and have the support and encouragement to do so in the process. Sigh. One day at a time.

Tomorrow is orientation for nursing school. I get to find out the things that will be expected of me over the next two years of nursing school. School itself will start during the last week of August. My hope is that tomorrow or relatively soon thereafter I can get a syllabus with expected readings so that I can start studying before school actually start. I have the main textbook and I doubt I can honestly get through the whole thing during the semester. I just don’t learn as well from a text as I do from a lecture, but nursing school is definitely a place where I will have to rely on the text for primary instruction.

On a semi-lighter note, tomorrow is also when I get my uniforms and nursing kit and the whole thing will finally feel like its actually going to happen.