Hey everyone! I really need some insight from anyone that can help me out. I have been attending community college the last three years taking basic courses to apply to Nursing School. When I first started college - everything was going great. I worked full time and was able to maintain a 4.0 G.P.A. Unfortunately, that all changed. Before the next semester began I switched jobs and ended up having to commute an hour to work each day. I registered for a couple of in classroom courses - but mostly took online courses. Before the semester was over - I gave up. Physically, emotionally and mentally I was drained. I quit school. I attempted to go back but resulted in the same outcome which placed me on academic and financial aid suspension. I transferred to another college and it has been the same story. I know I am hurting myself by doing this. I only need one more pre-req to apply to the nursing program. I feel I am trying to hard and overloading myself with courses. I have had to step back and look at the whole picture instead of just parts that I want to look at and regroup everything. Basically, get my ducks back in a row. I am thinking about transferring to a new college for the summer and start new. Any words of advice? Could this possibly hurt my chances of getting into nursing school?

Sounds to me like you need to look at your current life and get rid of the things that are stressing you out so much that you can't concentrate on school. It also sounds like you're burned out on it. I suggest you take at least a few months off from school, refresh yourself, get your life in line (if your new job is keeping you from success maybe it isn't the right job for you?) and go back and finish at your original school. Whatever you do, good luck!

I appreciate the advice. I have really been praying about this alot lately. I have even questioned if nursing is what I really want to do. There is no doubt in my mind that I am pursueing the career I want to be in. I feel that I just got the cart before the horse and tried to get finished before I was ready. emtpixie - you are so right. I have really looked at my current life and have started eliminating the stress or the negativity. As for being burned out. I probably was to a point but I feel that the stress I have been going through was the main facture that caused that. I was also overloading myself with courses. I am planning on going back. Only this time I am going in with a more positive attitude about it and not overloading myself.
Thank You for each of your comments.

soswalt - If you are working full time most advisors tell you that you should only take about 6 hours a semester which is two courses. I currently work full time and go to school and it has worked out nicely for me taking only 2 courses a semester. I am going during the summers but only doing one course. Also, if you are not structured enough online courses may not work for you. It depends on the type of student you are. I know I learn better with a teacher in front of me and sitting in a desk on the front row. I know that I am not structured enough to do online courses even though they may be more convenient for me.

Good luck to you too soswalt. Just keep pushing through you will get there. I too am very impatient. I was only a few hours short of my Associates degree in Interior Design and decided to switch my major to nursing so I know what it is like to want to finish up the basics. I still have my A&P, Micro, and Pharmacology before applying. I am so ready to get done with it I could scream. So I know exactly how you are feeling.

marlab - i have always been told that the only thing to fear is fear itself. However, I can totally relate to what you are saying. I am scared to death. The only difference between you and I is that I am a single mother. If you have a supportive husband that will encourage you through going to school - girl you go for it. Since you already have a degree in Liberal Arts - you should be close if not already set to apply to the ADN program. I am not sure how the night ADN program is in your area, but the only night ADN program we have in the area I live in only meets Tuesdays, Thursdays, every other Friday and all day on Saturday (still coming out to be a two year program). Have you talked to any one at the college regarding what you need to do? I personally do not know anyone that has gone to nursing school as a second career. I do know people that are nurses and great nurses at that. They love their jobs and are proud of what they do. Like you - I have always had an office job and want something that is rewarding and that I will enjoy. That is why I have always wanted to be a nurse. Again, check with the ADN director at your college. Call him/her and set a time to come and talk to them and see what you need to do. Nursing is a challenge - but look at it this way - a challenge is just a learning experience which allows us to learn more about ourselves that we didn't know we could do. GO FOR IT GIRL! I wish you the best.

Soswalt,

Do not be discouraged. I have been in the medical field since 1995 and for each degree I have went back for, (LPN, ASN, BSN) I have felt overwhelmed. I have went through a house fire and quit school. I had my mother become ill and have 4 strokes. I quit school during these times of stress. Afterward I regreted quitting because I said I could have been done already. Recently my mother died and I did not quit school. I knew that she knew how long I had been returning to school, that is what she wanted. I also became very depressed getting toward the end of each program.

I think you should keep pushing on. You need to ask yourself how bad you want this. Push foward and go for it. The nursing programs make it very difficult to get and maintain. They want the best of the best. So they make you jump through hoops. Plus if they have a slacker and they fail NCLEX it reflects on the school. So what you might want to consider is just start back with one class at a time until you get your total focus back. Taking a step back and re-evaluating your goals is a good thing. Don't get on yourself and stay focused. Trust me before you know it, it will all be over and you will have RN behind your name. Godd luck and  God bless.