I am not in nursing school YET.  I am taking (almost done) w all my prereq.  I plan on applying this summer to start (if excepted) in Dec.  It is an Assoc. program that is accelerated and goes pretty much a straight 18 months (w just 1 or 2 weeks off between quarters).  I was reading some of the other posts and it freaked me out a bit.  My DH told me to stop reading the posts because everyone is different and every school is different and I cannot take what everyone says and decide to NOT go for my dream.

I guess what I am trying to say is maybe for ones like me we need some positive feedback.  I already know it is hard but I need some GOOD things from people.  Encouragement I guess you could say.  Maybe that is out there and I have not found the right posts to read to see that. 

I have a very supportive family.  My DH and DD both have full confidence that I will be accepted and do very well (as does everyone else that I talk to).  I don't want to put my life on hold for 18 months--I want to work my tail off to do the best job I can but still be able to be a good wife and mother (my kids are older so they don't need much from me).  Personally I believe it can be done.

Am I just delusional here????

OK, I hear what you are saying and I do understand.  I just think you can't say that everyone will have the same experience.  To say "comsume almost every single second of your life" is pretty extreme to me.  It may be that way for some and not others.  Also to say "You have to commit to giving up your life for this period of time." again--no balance.  "There isn't any way around it."--very strong.  I am not a young fool that doesn't know about life and the stresses that come w it.  I also am not stupid to think nursing school would be easy--I never have thought that. 

No, I don't want to be lied to--I hate that.  I do have some friends that are nurses and I did email one of them to get her take on it after I posted this and that helps esp. since our hubby's are in the same line of work.  I have talked to the nursing director of my school twice--she will not lie to anyone either but she also says she cannot tell me how it would be for me because everyone is different.  She says it is hard.  The drop out in this school is about 1/3-1/2--that is a lot.  I am not scared of working hard.  I am not afraid of long nights and clinicals--my fear comes down to my family and not wanting to leave them in the dust while I am too busy for them.  I have been on the other end of that and it comes w a price.  Fortunately my kids are pretty much grown--the youngest is 17.  So it is not like I am leaving little ones.

I guess as it is coming down to the wire for me--I am trying to decide--is the journey worth it at this time in my life (not that I have many more shots being I am 40 yrs old).  If I were an 18 yr old that had no life experience I most likely wouldn't have this fear either (already been there done that kind of thing).  This has been a passion of mine for a long time.  I think this fear is something unexpected for me since I have wanted this for so long and now it is so close.

Sorry for the rambling--just feeling a little unsure about the future right now and really have no where to turn to talk this fear out.

Thankfully my kids are 17, 19, 21 & 23 and will be older than that when I start the program.  Some will not even be living at home (I hope).  Since pretty much everyone's an adult we have rules about cleaning up after yourself and all that.  My hubby is very good at cooking and cleaning.  He is more than happy to take over any responsibilities during that "season" as he calls it.  I think the key you said is I have to take care of myself--I am working on that.  I have spent most of my life taking care of others so that is easier than taking care of myself.  I have had to really work on that with my classes now when I was doing the CNA program and that wasn't half the stress of nursing school.  I have time to work on these things and that is what I will do.

I think I said this before but I realize my fear is NOT the nursing program and the time it takes or the stress but the concern of not being there for my family if a major event happens.  Like my hubby said--don't try and predict the future or what "might" happen just go into it and do it and if something happens we will deal w it at that time how ever best we can.  He also reminds me of how everyone told me how hard A & P was and how much I have enjoyed it and have done so well in it (well I enjoy it and it is more than just interesting to me--that makes it easier for me plus I do have some medical background).  He then reminds me how the nursing program may have some classes that are not that fun but for the most part I will be doing what I have wanted to do for so long and be in classes that will be of interest because they will be the ones to get me to my goal.  Attitude--as long as I have the right attitude about it--I will make it!!

Thank you lawyerRN!!  I think that is what I needed to hear.  I am not stupid to think nursing school is a breeze to get through but to know that others still CAN and DO make time to LOVE their families makes a difference to me.  If school takes up 90-95% of my time--OK but to know I can have that 5% to love my family (which is not a lot but enough for 18 months) helps me.  I started this w a lot of prayer and if it is meant to be it will be then God will get me through this (and my family).---Thanks!!

I am with you on this Sargestiger.  People have scared me a bit too.  I also know that nursing school is going to be hard.  And it's different for each state also.  I have told one of my nursing friends about some of the posts on here and they have said that people on here are just trying to scare me.  Now I know some people are being honest, but everyone of us is a different person.  Nursing school may come easy to some and hard to others.  I know that I am afraid of the unknown, but know also that I can't let this get to me either.  Yes it's going to be tough, but with enough time and effort, we can do this.  Many nurses have done it (some of them I wonder how they even graduated) and so can we.   

YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO!  GOOD LUCK MY FRIEND

Rndude, I love your honesty.

Thankyew, thankyewvurymuch (done in my best Elvis impersonation)

I'm kinda partial to you NursingLink old-timers, too.

RNdude says ...

Thankyew, thankyewvurymuch (done in my best Elvis impersonation)

I'm kinda partial to you NursingLink old-timers, too.

Elvis just left the building

Guess it all depends on the individual, i myself felt overwhelmed the first time i entered nursing school. I felt guilty about not having much time with my kids. Classes, and all other activities in school were really time consuming. but then as i went on, i learned to managed my time correctly, scheduling and all that. Also, i would always have the time to talk to my kids and spend quality time with them, letting them feel that no matter how busy mommy is, they are still my priority. The cooperation of the people around you matters a lot, they will play a big role for you in achieving your goals. Nursing school is really difficult at first for me,but lucky enough, i had all the support of my family which helped me a lot in attaining my goal.

if it is in your heart to be a nurse, it's a big factor that will help you to get through your dreams.

Organizational skills and being realistic about what you can do will make the adjustment possible. No, you will not be able to spend as much time with your family as you are used to or as you want to at times.

Pleasure reading and movie watching will be put on hold, I have a stack of these items for semester breaks-good mental breaks. There will be family events you will miss, but this will help your family get used to the idea-nurse's work holidays & special occasions.

You can still have time for yourself and your family-it is up to you to organize your time wisely and buy  out time for self and family. This is how you will maintain your sanity.

School will have to be your main focus, but from your post it sounds like you are quite capable of making that dedication. If there are any prerequisites you can take before program do so.

If you can take time to do a major spring cleaning of your house and dispense with things that make housework-do so. The better organized you have your whole life- the smoother sailing will be, because there will be storms.

Your age is only a factor in that you should commit to being in best health you can before your classes start. Plan on a good multi-vitamin at least, because staying on a healthy diet is very difficult.

I completed LPN school in Dec 2007-worked full-time the whole course, dealt with my mother's cancer & death. I have since been completing my prerequisites/core for RN-ADN program. I start in August the nursing program. My husband and I keep focused on the fact we are working towards a "better day"; Keep your goals in mind. You can do it. By the way I will be 39 next month, my best friend in LPN school was 51 last month.

First I would like to say GOOD LUCK to all that are just getting started!!

Second I should say that when I made this post it was just after losing my grandfather.  I was taking classes after not being in school for years and then having to deal w that loss was a bit much for me to think about.  I didn't even take the time to morn his loss for a month because I was so busy.  That is when the stress/feelings/fear--whatever you want to call it all came into play.

I think I got very scared that during nursing school I would lose someone I loved and not be able to handle school and the loss.  Since all that I have had time to reflect and take care of myself and morn the loss of my grandfather--all while finishing my pre-reqs (all w A's).

My hearts desire is to be a nurse--my brain gets in my way sometimes.  One of the problems w being 41 and having gone through of a lot of lifes struggles.

I am not scared of nursing school--in fact it excites me to think of all I will learn (well not all of it).  I think of how quickly 3 quarters went by and to know that would be half my schooling--I know 18 months would go by very fast.  Also again I am not stupid--I know it is difficult and takes up most of a person's life.  I am not one to be happy w doing something half way--I want to do my VERY BEST--so I know it will be a lot of work and stress.

I do appreciate everyone who gave good advice and understanding.  If/when I get into nursing school I will let you know.  As for now--just praying for God's direction. 

First of all..........congrats on starting and getting some prereqs done!   If you have been scared by some of the posts, forget about them.  It could be and probably was that that person  who posted had a really crappy day at work.   Also, dont let bullies get you down.  Dont ever let them feel that they are superior.............YOU are.   If any of the posts I did scared you...........honestly, I have no idea because I've looked back into old threads and I couldnt remember doing them!   But there was my name right down there!    There are some threads on here like "nurses who eat their young"......................dont let that scare you...............used it as fuel for prepping for a test.   Be on your game.  When you are going through clinicals, prepare.........study for the type of unit your on ; make flash cards with info on your unit;  "if you know youl'll be sent to cardiology step down...........bone up on carediac medsm the disease process that might have brought the patient to the hospital; ; if you know your going to be on a neuro step down unit.........bone up on your neuro meds <for stroke, MS, and so on>.   Plan on picking out in class who you want to get to be pals with for study buddies.....honestly, steer clear of the heavy partiers  <my mistake on that, one of my partnets did not do her share on a project and I had to do the whole thing by myself, if I had not done that Id have gotten a failing grade so I take care of myself.......fyi...........I wouldnt have gotten through school if a couple of LPN's weren't in our study group.   Also, if there is a post and somebody said anything disturbing, email them and see if they'll clarify the situation......couldnt hurt.   Well, good luck!