Now, as those who have been reading my blog from the very beginning know, I am a 22 year old traditional nursing student who entered college right out of high school and will be graduating with my BSN in December of 2017.
What you may not know about me is that my best friend throughout the nursing program, Jessica, has been a woman who has not only conquered the nursing school struggle by graduating in May of 2017, but did so while raising five children and maintaining a household.
When thinking about the wide variety of individuals that enter nursing school, a vast number is comprised of adult-learners who are probably parents and looking for a second career. This post is meant to highlight and help any mothers or fathers who are interested in nursing school but are questioning the process. I have asked Jessica several questions about the process and experience of going through nursing school while also being a full time mom and am going to share her answers with you today.
Without further adieu, here is Jessica's interview:
Why did you decide to go to nursing school?
I'm pretty sure I've always "wanted" to be a nurse: growing up I was the oldest and was always the person who cared for others. Instead of going straight to college after high school I took a year off to figure out what I wanted to really do in life and started working in the mean time. Well, plans changed when I became pregnant at 19. Going to school was put on the back-burner and I kept finding excuses not to go back. I worked many different jobs in the past 17 years, but bar tending was the best fit because it paid the bills and allowed me to spend time with my kids.
Fast forward to 2008, when I decided to put myself first and find a better career. The bar scene was getting old, and I was over bar-goers rowdiness and my own sleepless nights.
During all of this time my first born, Gabe, was in and out of the hospital for seven years with either severe asthma episodes, bronchitis, or pneumonia multiple times each year. After seeing the nurses care for Gabe and make our visits easier to handle year after year, the concept of going to nursing school simply clicked. So, I went back to school and nursing was the goal! After seeing the nurses stick different IV's with ease, handle multiple medications, and deliver extra dessert or Mac N Cheese, how could I not be inspired to pursue a dream I've kept for years.
What specialty are you most interested in?
Pediatric Oncology is where I would love to end up. I hope to further my education and become a Nurse Practitioner, while also either being a clinical instructor or theory professor.
How many children do you have?
I have 5 children.
Gabe is 16, a current junior in high school who is very smart & extremely passionate about everything he does.
Brooklynn is 12, and my mini me. She's a strong & sassy lady.
Dante is 9 and following in his dad's footsteps; An old soul with a love of motorcycles and music.
Harley is my princess and is 3. She is just as sassy as her big sisters and is such a little character.
Then, my little surprise Seamus is 3 months old. I'm sure he picked up a lot of knowledge in my last 2 semesters of school. He's certainly my lucky charm.
On top of that I have 4 step children.
Autumn is going to be 21 and in nursing school. She is a great role model for all of her siblings.
Devyn is 20, and hopefully working his way to stardom.
Narissa 14, another awesome lady with so many talents.
And lastly Claudia 13, a sassy beauty full of so much spunk.
What was the hardest part about being a mom and being in nursing school?
My children sometimes missed out on things during the time I spent in school. One reason was due to the many time constraints, while another was finances. While I was in school we were a one income family for a long time. However, those sacrifices allowed for recent great rewards and we will soon be able to have as much fun as we did before I was in nursing school!
What lessons do you think your children have learned while watching you go through a difficult schooling process as an adult and while raising a family?
I think my kids learned many lessons. First, to never give up on your dreams and that they can do anything they put their mind to. Second, how important school and good grades are in life. Most jobs now require you to go beyond high school or they will skip on to the next person. How could I tell my child they have to go to school and do well if I myself, their dad, papa and gramma and many others barely made it through or dropped out of high school. Lastly, I hope I showed them how far I would go for them. I will do anything I can for my kids. I feel that was clear to them the day of my nursing school pinning when I saw their faces light up with huge smiles. They haven't stopped telling everyone they can that their mom is now a nurse.
How do you think being a mom helped you throughout your clinical
journey?
I think my age and general life experiences helped me throughout my journey more
than anything. However, there were definitely moments where my mom skills factored into my success in clinical.
Well, I quickly took on a motherly role to some of my classmates. I wanted to see them succeed and I was proud to watch them do well. By helping others prepare and learn that definitely helped me. They say if you can teach someone the skills and knowledge then you are well prepared yourself. Teaching the information to others helps you to retain it for tests or clinical.
Was it awkward being an adult learner in a class with mostly young adults that have just left high school?
At first it was, but I quickly met some great people who made it less awkward right away. My Polish genes also helped, as I never looked as though I was the "old" one in the class.
I was very involved in all aspects of school. I was on the board of directors of SNA, I volunteered my time at multiple events, was chosen to speak at our school's grand opening of the new nursing building, and coordinated many successful study groups throughout the years. I guess you can say I am the girl who can't say no to things.
Give us an interesting fact about yourself and your nursing journey.
While I was the Vice President of our school's Student Nurses Association I was able to take my first ever trip to Disney and attend the National Student Nurses Association Annual Convention in Florida. Although I saved my attending the actual Disney park for a family vacation next year, I was able to represent my state as a delegate in the House of Delegates during the convention. I was also able to meet so many nursing students and mentors of all walks of life, and learn from amazing nurses.
What would you recommend to moms/adult learners when it comes to picking a second career or pursuing further education?
Do it - don't make excuses. There will always be an excuse to use to put it off, believe me. If you can make the sacrifice and not work I would suggest not working. Nursing school is hard for the traditional student, so throwing in the stresses of having a family, keeping up a home, and kids running around or needing you every time there's a test or paper due makes it a little rougher.
What advice do you have for other moms going through nursing school?
My advice (this is advice for anyone btw): Get
involved! Join a club, become a mentor to others, and share your
experiences. Nursing school should never be a competition. You are all
in the same boat with the same goal - graduating and passing NCLEX the first
time. Someone will always be a natural at test taking, scoring
the highest grade, or always getting A's - and that's okay. Don't compare your
journey to theirs. If you happen to be that great test taker - help others to
do better (helping others is a key component of being a nurse isn't
it?).
Nursing student motto: C's get degrees!
Would you recommend a gradual RN to BSN process or a straight BSN route for
adult learners/parents looking to return to school?
I preferred to go
straight for a BSN. If you plan on going further in your education I
would recommend this route. I feel it is more beneficial for the time
and money required.
Well, I quickly realized that I should have taken NCLEX asap. Don't wait to take it. Circumstances like being pregnant my last semester of school and being due the week of finals made my timeline tricky. I had Seamus on a Wednesday, got released Friday, & took my final that following Monday. Let's just say the last 2 weeks of school were very eventful. I was not in study mode at all (most students who waited said the same). I felt the last week before I took the NCLEX was nerve wracking but studying was not bad. The last semester I signed up to take #HurstReview. This was an in-person session and it helped me to review before critical care and my last semester. Once you sign up for your first Hurst Review you are able to attend any subsequent review sessions free of charge after. I highly recommend doing this. A month before NCLEX I took my second review (this time online). I did everything I was told (Hurst has a money back guarantee if you use their service and do not pass the first time, but this promise is voided if you don't follow their study plan) and used many test banks. U-World and Lippencott are other services that both offer NCLEX style questions. U-World is a paid question program that was similar to the actual test, while Lippencott is available for free for 24 hours with an email sign up. These sites are very helpful with the dreaded select all that apply questions while in school as well.
Now that the torture of nursing school is over, what was one thing that got you through nursing school?
Many things got me through nursing school, so I can't just pick one. My "hubby" being one person. He was my rock and pushed me to get through the bad days. He had more faith in me than I had in myself, thank God. He told me and my friends to suck it up on many occasions! If nursing was easy everyone would do it. My Gramma was my biggest supporter, and unfortunately she passed away a few days before I took NCLEX, but she was so proud of me and what I have accomplished (being a mother and becoming an RN) in life. Lastly, my nursing buddies. We all shared in the pain and successes. Without them I don't know where I would be.
- Michelle
#BSNbabe
No comments:
Post a Comment