Nurses, Student Nurses, Pre-req takers - Page 74

[blessedwinter]

Hi all! I've been getting some great advice on my thread in parenting about going to nursing school, but was directed here.

I'm an emetophobe who is thinking about going to nursing school....crazy, I know. I am terribly afraid of watching people vomit, mostly the contagious, over and over kind. How common is it to come across severe vomiting during clinicals? I'm wanting to be an L&D nurse, and the hospital here will hire out of school, so that isn't an issue. I'm just wondering if I'll be able to make it through school. I know sometimes women vomit in labor (I'm one of them) but it's more the continuous vomiting or choking noises that really gets to me.

I have four children and the issue of childcare combined with the intensity of nursing school and my fear of digestive functions is making me wonder if this is even a good idea at all. I really need the financial stability nursing will offer, and I've always wanted to work with mamas and babies, I'm just not sure I'll be able to make it. WDYT?

[lorijds]

Maybe you should work as an aide or volunteer in a hospital setting, on the OB floor if possible, before you go to nuring school. That way you would get a real idea of what it was like, and whether you could handle it or not.

[Rockies5]

Hey nuse-student-mamas :

Been stalking and reading this thread for years. Now, I'm actually in a program and haven't felt so happy or fulfilled in YEARS.

My youngest two (ages 2.5 and 4.5) are loving their part day/part week program and the childhood enrichment center. I feel failry safe with them there; as it's on campus, and it's a observation and training facility for the school's teaching program. The teachers are highly educated, and are constandly being obsevered. (I also obseve them easily w/o the teachers or kids knowing!)

When the time is right, it's right. I would not have felt so comfortable sharing my parenting a year or two ago, or under any other circumstances.

My husband is actually able to watch them, but due to several factors I've decided to put them in this daycare a few hours a week. I think it's more beneficial to them then being with their dad.




I've just started my pre-req. I have NO IDEA how long this ADN program is going to take . Right now, I'm easing in and going part time. I'd really love to switch to full time next semester but I'm afraid of:

1. finding time to do homework--it's already a challenge!
2. how will the kids do? they are happy now, but now is 9hrs a week.
3. can I handle it? maybe this is the "honeymoon stage"?
4. my dh is a dork. He's doing nothing at home. Less then when I was a SAHM actually. Any advice (beside talk, make lists or threaten. He also has an appt with a phychologist to treat his depression) I jsust need some advice on dealing, for my own sanity
5. working is hard while going to school.

[CookieMonsterMommy]

Rockies,

Forgive me for a half-assed reply, but it's 9am and I've worked the past 2 nights (12h shifts). I need to get to bed!! (lol)

Homework...I tried to do that between classes...usually you get an hour or so between classes...or after class, instead of heading home, I'd hit the library. Try that. Or right after the kids were in bed, but before I got too tired.

Hubby...Explain to him what this means to you, and ultimately what it means to your family (better financial situation, job security, flexible scheduling, etc). Everyon stands to benefit from this. After explaining that, tell him in no uncertain terms that you cannot, will not do this without his help. It's simply too much strain on you and the kids, and will lead to resentment.

If he can't or won't help....well, that makes it harder, and you need to evaluate your desire and abilities. But I know many, many single mama nurses (myself and many MDC mamas included), so it can be done without help from a DP if you are so inclined and motivated.

Working is hard while going to school. Just keep your eyes on the prize and remind yourself frequently of what you're working towards...school lasts 2, 4, 6 years or whatever...but your license (and all the privileges that come with having it) are forever.

Okay, I need to get to bed, I'm back on the floor tonight.

Good luck!

[lorijds]

just bumping the thread!

[Mama2-4]

I agree that perhaps getting a position as a CNA on a OB floor or maybe a Medical Assistant in a OB office to get some experience and decide if it is really for you and if you could handle it.

I am a nurse and have worked in a variety of settings including L&D. I came across all kinds of bodily fluids in my work in L&D, I had women throw up on me...it happens and is part of the job.

If this really bothers you nursing might not be for you. It is a big expense and time commitment to begin nursing school that is why I recommend feeling things out in a less expensive way if possible.

If it is something that you really want, you can do it! I started nursing school when I was 9 months pregnant. Gave birth about a month into classes and then returned 5 days later for clinical at the VA hospital!

Good luck in your decisions, you were very wise to seek out some support and advice in this matter!

[DiannaK]

subbing to this thread ...... hey all nurse mommas!!

[grapejuicemama]

Hey nurses and student mamas!

School is only two weeks away now and I can't wait! This will be my second year of taking the pre-reqs and I'll apply to OHSU this year for the nursing program. My ultimate goal is to become a CNM and practice in rural Oregon.

Hope everyone is doing well and gearing up for school!

[KMK_Mama]

I just received my CNA license # and my fingerprint clearance card in the mail....now I just need to decide if I should apply to NS for Spring, or if I should wait until Fall 09. Decisions, decisions. I have 3 co-req's left, but they aren't required until blocks 3 & 4 so I'm trying to decide if I should take those next semester and start NS in Fall 09 or just get things going and start in January....anyhow, I'm just rambling. I've been waiting for my CNA # and my fingerprint card and just assumed I wouldn't get them in time for the application deadline for this next semester...but I did. Now I'm confused.

[lorijds]

I recommend you finish your prereqs before you enter school; NS demands enough of your time without adding additional classes.

Does anyone's hospital practice the philosophy of "Relationship Based Care"? I'm writing a paper on how my own facility has implemented this along with primary nursing, and I'd like to get some input from nurses from other facilities. Please respond here or pm me.

Thanks!

[Nathan1097]

I just posted above "I want to quit". I'm on my cell and can't link easily. I'm just feeling disheartened. sociology and lifecourse theory was great, but..... I want to be a NICU nurse but my anatomy class feels like 20 years worth of learning in 20 days. :-(

Going to read the thread....

[BugMacGee]

Good luck to those in school! And those trying to figure out which path to take.

Here's what I did (but it was before I had kids so probably totally irrelevant to any of you)

Got a BA in Poli Sci-realized i did NOT want to go to law school or be a lobbyist. By end of senior year, I'd made up my mind to become a nurse. Seemed more of a warm/fuzzy career, at least at the time.

Spent next 2 years at community college doing pre-reqs and working. I had three jobs and was gone from 7am until 7 pm which seemed like a long time til I started working 12 hour shifts.

Got into nursing school. REalized that at this point in my life, whether I liked it or not, I'd better stick it out (because I was soooo old, 25!!!, without a career )

HATED nursing school. Hated it. So many stupid hoops to jump through. Major personality differences with uber anal profs. Bleh.

Graduated after 2 years with ANOTHER bachelors degree and went straight into a NICU new grad program. Then the real AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! began. Holy steep learning curve! But, again, I stuck it out and I'm still in NICU almost 8 years later.

And, I'm supporting our family of 3 on my income : And, I'm helping babies and parents. I have an awesome job! :

So that's my story. If you got through it, kudos.

I may go back to school to be PNP/NNP when the kids get a bit older. Then I'll be right back here asking you all how to get through school with kids.

Cheers!

[Silvercrest79]

Holy Macaroni this thread is got a lot of posts! I don't have time to read them all but I pop in occasionally.

I am 4 classes from validating for clinicals. This semester I have A&P 1 and Math for Allied Health. The math so far is a piece of cake. The A&P isn't really hard but it is SOOOOOOOOOO time consuming (as I'm sure you can all relate).

I want ER, L&D, or NICU. I get bored VERY quickly, I need a lot of variety. I could care for the same babies and wipe their bums everyday but not the same adults everyday if that makes sense.

We have three daughters 8, 5, and 2 1/2 and I watch my almost 5 y/o niece everyday after 11:45 (when school gets out). My husband does NOTHING. NO laundry, NO dishes, NO shopping, NO cooking, NO cleaning, NO bathing, NO bedtime routines...NOTHING. Once in a blue moon he will take out the trash, dump the cat boxes, vac, or mop a floor. This happens a couple times a year (in a good year). I know single moms have to do everything themselves but they also have one less person to clean up after by being single. There is also the whole pyschological thing for me, I am MARRIED, I shouldn't HAVE to do EVERYTHING.

Oh well, here are to anyone else who is in my place drowning in homework, housework, and children.

[CookieMonsterMommy]

Originally Posted by Silvercrest79

I know single moms have to do everything themselves but they also have one less person to clean up after by being single. There is also the whole pyschological thing for me, I am MARRIED, I shouldn't HAVE to do EVERYTHING.

...we also don't have any source of income other than what we pull in ourselves. And we don't have a "body" there for the kids just in case we need to run out or are running late.

But any how, ER sounds like it'd be good for you--rarely a dull moment if you work in a large hospital. As long as you can multitask, deal well with stress and are confident in your skills. Those guidlines ring true for all areas of nursing, but in the ER I think moreso. I'm of the opinion that an ER nurse shoud have at least a year or 2 in med/surge nursing.

When you're trying to learn the ways of the ER and all the things you need to know (really, it's a jack of all trades, since you'll get cardio, burns, trauma, abuse, pregnancy, GI, fevers, asthma attacks, etc on any given night), you should really be able to comfortably and efficiently handle the basics--pop in an IV, hook up an EKG, draw blood, drop an NG tube, foley cath someone, dress a wound, etc without even having to think about method/supplies needed/procedure/protocol/etc. You should also have a decent handle on acceptable and preferable lab values, vitals, and other parameters.

Good luck. And if you haven't already, check out the Parents As Partners section of MDC. You might be able to get some much needed support Re: Your dh and marriage issues.

[Silvercrest79]

Originally Posted by CookieMonsterMommy

...we also don't have any source of income other than what we pull in ourselves. And we don't have a "body" there for the kids just in case we need to run out or are running late

.....

Good luck. And if you haven't already, check out the Parents As Partners section of MDC. You might be able to get some much needed support Re:
Your dh and marriage issues.

I know how hard it is for me and I do have (I like how you put it...lol) a "body".

I bow to you single mamas with the utmost respect.

No support for my situation. I've posted in the past and everyone said "get the hell out" so I don't bother anymore.

[BugMacGee]

SIlvercrest79-my husband didn't do anything either (unless you count going to a bar every night contributing to the welfare of your family That's why he's my ex. But that's another topic altogether.....

Nursing for me has provided a great deal of flexibility. I am able to spend a lot of time with my children, but I also have a good was to flex my *adult* brain at work. I get great benefits, and make a good income.

Most of my co-workers are parents.

[Silvercrest79]

Originally Posted by BugMacGee

SIlvercrest79-my husband didn't do anything either (unless you count going to a bar every night contributing to the welfare of your family That's why he's my ex. But that's another topic altogether.....

Nursing for me has provided a great deal of flexibility. I am able to spend a lot of time with my children, but I also have a good was to flex my *adult* brain at work. I get great benefits, and make a good income.

Most of my co-workers are parents.

I've already told my husband he has until I have my degree to get his (to put it politely) "act" (read somethingelse that smells..lol) together or I will divorce his @$$...or he can go file for divorce now and get it over with.

Do you work for a hospital?

[ollineeba]

Originally Posted by lorijds

I recommend you finish your prereqs before you enter school; NS demands enough of your time without adding additional classes.

Absolutely. When you take your nursing classes, you will have enough on your plate. I'd definitely take the co-reqs first.
During my first semester of nsg school, I took my microbiology (it was my last co-req to take). It was tough.

[BugMacGee]

Originally Posted by Silvercrest79

I've already told my husband he has until I have my degree to get his (to put it politely) "act" (read somethingelse that smells..lol) together or I will divorce his @$$...or he can go file for divorce now and get it over with.

Do you work for a hospital?

Yes. I used to work at a big teaching/research hospital which I loved for the actuity and learning opportunities. Now I work in our local community hospital. Close to home, better hours. I really love my job.....most of the time I've got some cranky triplets today.

[Silvercrest79]

Originally Posted by BugMacGee

Yes. I used to work at a big teaching/research hospital which I loved for the actuity and learning opportunities. Now I work in our local community hospital. Close to home, better hours. I really love my job.....most of the time I've got some cranky triplets today.

AWWWW!