Registered Nurse (RN)-Former Nursing Student & Current Nurse Blog My Journey of Becoming & Working as a Registered Nurse

Hey Everyone,

I received another “ask me a question” and this one comes from Mother of 3 and here is what she asked:

“hi sarah, what an amazing website. i happened to stumble on it when i was googling “how to manage in nursing school.” i see a list of blog pals and i was wondering who they are. my main question is about nursing school. i am going to be applying in the fall, so i am just hoping to get in. i am 47 years old with three daughters 20, 17 and 14. i have wanted to go to nursing school for so long and have been taking all my science prereqs for about two years. i already have a business degree from along time ago, so i have had to make up all the science. i am getting close to applying and i am really starting to feel unsure. my biggest concern is that i am not a good multitasker at all. i have taken one science class at a time and done really well, but i have been able to just focus on one thing. i get overwhelmed soooo easily and i am just terrified that i wont be able to keep up and still have a family. i will only have one daughter left at home and she will be driving, which will help, but i am so worried about neglecting her and not giving her the same amount of time i did my other girls. i have really felt God calling me to do this, but i already feel guilty about studying for this one class, let alone a whole program. i have just got to learn how to do more than one class at a time and not totally stress out. do you have any older women in your class with families? i know i have asked about a million questions, but i really appreciate this site and your help.”

Mother of 3, thank you so much for your question and I apologize about the delay. All of your questions are terrific questions and stuff that every potential nursing student should know.

First of all, the list of blog pals you see are people who also have a blog that I’m cyber friends with and they are linking to my blog so I am doing the same.

I totally understand your concern about managing nursing school and a family along with being a multitasker. First let me address managing nursing school and a family. Yes, there a several older women in my nursing class who are married and have like 4 children who all live at home (no joke or exaggeration) and plus I have older women in my class who are single moms with kids. They all have made it through the program and have done really well. So yes it can be done and managed. I understand that you want to spend time with your daughter and not neglect her and I think you can do both nursing and be a great mom because many nursing schools offer the option of going part-time or taking many classes online.

I think the part-time thing may be good for you for two reasons. One you will only have to juggle one or two science classes at a time (making it easier on you) and two you will have a lot of time to spend time with your daughter. However, if you don’t what to do part-time but full-time you can also do it. It will just take a lot more of you learning how to manage your time very well. Yes, nursing school will keep you busy but not every second of the day and the time that your not busy you can mom and daughter time.  I would make certain days of the week special time for you guys to spend time together. For example, Fridays after you have class could be the day you two go out to eat and shopping or watch a movie. I just want you to know it can be done and it is not impossible because you can still have a great relationship with her.

Now about the multitasking. I think multitasking is something a person learns how to  do…..it’s not something your born with. If you worried about not being a good multitasker don’t worry because you will learn how to do that in nursing school, especially in your clinicals. It takes time to learn and I’m still learning how to do it every day. Yes, I get stressed sometimes about it but I pull through it and try to be better next time.

You said that you feel God is calling you to be a nurse so I would do it. I wouldn’t let all of that stuff talk you out of being a nurse because it is just your brain trying to scare you out of it lol. Sometimes as humans if we feel doubt or nervous about something we try to cope with it by telling ourselves we aren’t good enough. I felt the same way when I was in nursing school and questioned if nursing was even for me. Glad I stayed with it because I LOVE it. There are so many opportunities.

Mother of 3, thanks again for your question and I hope I helped you out. Good luck with everything and keep in touch!

Until next time,

Sarah

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Posted under Ask A Question, Clinicals

Hey Everyone,

I hope every one is having a totally awesome Tuesday. Sorry I haven’t made a post in a couple of days. I have been sooo busy like you wouldn’t believe. I only had ONE stinking day off last week. Balancing orientation for my new job with clinicals and school is a little demanding. Crazy me pulled three 12 hours shifts in a row this weekend. I have never done it before and figured I would give it a try because I will be doing it when I work. Believe it or not it wasn’t that bad considering  I was busy all of the days before I pulled them. I think the second day was the worst and the third day went by fast. Saturday and Sunday were very busy days but Monday was constant but not crazy.

I actually feel like I am getting a grasp of the nursing stuff lol and I feel like I know what I’m doing. I feel more comfortable with my documentation, communication (patient interaction), and assessment skills. Yesterday I did a complete discharge all by myself. I had to call and make appointments for the pt, complete discharge teaching, filling out of the paper work (many papers to complete), put in for transport to pick up the patient, and house keeping to clean the room……..and I did this all by myself….woohoo!!

The most interesting thing I got to do during clinicals was give meds through a PEG tube and change out the tubing for the feedings known as Jevity. A PEG tube is a tube that is inserted through the skin that enters the stomach. The pt gets medications and “food” (in liquid form) through it and it goes straight into their stomach. Many pts have them because they are a huge aspiration risk (meaning their “windpipe” doesn’t close fast enough and the food/liquid enters into their lungs causing problems) or they have problems chewing & swallowing food.

Oh yeah and I’m finally learning the whole IV pump thing. I feel like my school sort of didn’t touch on this subject very well but I think I have finally got the hang of it. I have got good at hanging antibiotics, priming the tubing, and setting up the pump. I feel I still need to work on putting doctor’s orders into the computer and communication with the doctors. We don’t have a clerical on the floor I work on so we have to put in all of our orders…yeah it takes time.

Guess what……HESI is this Friday every one. Sheew!! I’m nervous…I can’t believe it is already here it…it came up really fast. I’ve been studying so I hope it will pay off. I just want to get it over with. I’ll keep you all up-dated!

Saturday is my Mammaw’s birthday and we are going out to eat at this restaurant called Fatz (cool name huh? lol). They are suppose to have some great food. I got her a gift certificate at this place she has been wanting to get her hair cut and a book called “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. It is a very good/inspirational book……something she has been wanting to read.

Here is my outlook for the week: Tuesday (today): OFF, Wednesday: class 1230-330, Thursday-more orientation 8-4, Friday: HESI, Saturday: going out to eat for my Mammaw’s birthday, and Sunday: REAL Work (getting paid….finally) 7am-7pm.

I hope everyone has a great week! Pray for me about HESI….

Until next time,

Sarah

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Posted under Clinicals, Daily Ramblings