I really need to get this of of my chest but no one around me can relate. So I decided to give this a shot.

I am a 30 year old single mother of 3 boys and am starting my venture into nursing school. I have attempted this journey before and got sidetracked. On my first attempt, I did notice a trend and a big difference in the entering class and the graduating class. There are many many many single mother in the entering class along side the recently married and the still living with parents. As the classes moved on, fewer and fewer single mothers stayed. In talking to the the graduating class, I realized that all but 1 or 2 single mothers remained. Me being one of them that had to drop.

I have recently moved from Ohio to Chicago (the second place that I am most familiar with) to remove myself from all family issues and any other distractions. I wanted to start on my new path in a new place. Even while living near my family, I had little to no support. Whether it be financially, emotionally, or just being supportive of my goals, I didn't have it. So I figured that moving away couldn't be any worse. Well, it is. On top of having no support (no different from back in Ohio), I have no holidays with my family, no bumping into old friends, no familiar faces. I am completely alone and scared to death.

I have done VERY well in my prerequisites but I am afraid that once I finally get into my program, I will not be mentally capable to take on the challenge that I expect to face. I am afraid that without at least one person behind me, I will lose my motivation and fail once again. I am a grown woman but feel like a freshman on her first day of high school. It would be nice to have at least one person that supports my decision to go back to school. It would be nice to have at least ONE friend in this city that I can talk to when I'm having a bad OR good day. My sons support me, are very encouraging, and are right now, my only motivation. I'm so afraid that that will not be enough and all of the sacrifice that I have made thus far will be in vain.

I now understand why every advisor asks about my support system. I never realized how important it would be. And, today, without it....I am scared to death.

Hi there! Nice to meet you.

Well, let me tell you. Don't be scared, if its your dream follow it! Dont give up, specially if you are doing it for your kids. YOU know to live better, have a better job,career, and its also a good motivation for your kids, too. They see you and it helps them mentally , the will know that school is very important, you see?  Like my friend says,Teresa, seek out your kids friends,parents. or neighbors. I know how it feels when your family dont give you support. And still till today they dont. But you know I dont care, because at the beginning when I moved too. I didn't had friends. But throughout the semesters I finally met friends and supporters. I am barely starting my prereq's. But all I know I have done it without my family!  I have four children and a lovely husb. But don't give up!! Keep up and just think its your kids benefit and future.

Yes, very true & supportive comments above, and it couldn't have been said better!

MsNikki, you have to do what feels right to you, and even when you have doubts or feel unsupported, think about the goal that you really wanted to achieve and stay strong!

Thank you guys SO much for your encouragment and kind words.

Theresa, you are so right. It might just be a mix of nerves and being homesick. I never have a problem making friends. So I am sure that once I start to get out more and get around people that have the same interest, I will be fine.

I really appreciate all of your kindess and look forward to spending more time on NL. It's nice to be able to talk with people that understand what I'm going through.

Hi Sheree,

My name is Tom and I am a moderator on Nursing Link, so welcome to this fine group of nurses.

I think that you may have already experianced the power of this nursing website.  With me included, you have 5 people in less than a week for your on-line support system.  I think that you will discover that most of us "have been there/done that" one way or another. 

My own story: I was a 22 y.o. Second Class Petty Officer in the Navy, doing okay, when I took my wife and newborn child across the country from Virginia to Idaho to go to nursing school.  With GI Bill, 4 part-time jobs, grants and loans, I made it through nursing school.

My own support groups included family, fellow nursing students, church and my Naval Reserve Unit.  We also had several families living near us whom we made friends with.  I have read the ideas posted and it appears that you already have a few good ideas to start with.  Please use Nursing Link whenever you feel like you need or want help with, really anything at all.

This same bunch of nurses have been emotional support for myself and my family the last couple of months, as we have gone through the loss of our dog (our pet of 12 years) and this morning, our cat (our pet of 21 years).  These animals have been under constant medical care in our home including medications, major surgery follow-up, IV's and physical therapy.

As I said, you can bring just about anything to these great folks. 

Glad to have you on-board and best of luck with school  Give us a holler when you need help. 

Tom                                                                                                                                              

Nikki, Thank you  for your  trust in us.. If you do end up needing some assistance Please feel free to Ask one of us.. If we don't know the answer, we will help you find out.. Teresa

You are so right Tom...Teresa