Gotta get it in gear... school beginning so soon! And other ponderings

I am an LPN, and have been for a little over 20 years. I am now diving in to the challenge of going back to college for my RN degree. Classes begin Jan 17th. I still have to pick and schedule my classes and buy my books, get my Student ID, which they issue only after you register for classes, and lots of other loose ends to tie up. But I am getting closer to having it all set to go.

Because we own our home outright, I cannot qualify for a pell grant. So we have to pay for my schooling. BUT the good news is a local hospital, one I am hoping to work at for a while anyhow after I get my RN offers tuition assistance grants, in exchange for a promise to work for them for at least one year once licensed. They do not help with the initial classes as they are pre-req's I have to retake due to having taken them so long ago, BUT once in the actual RN clinical training, they help for that last year.

Wish me luck everyone! This is really important to me. Something i want very badly to succeed at, and i am sure i will, but it will be tough I am sure. I know a lady who is now in the early stages of the same training, and she is willing to help guide me as far as which instructors to avoid, which classes to test out of rather than wasting time and money taking them, etc, so that will help a lot! She and I are supposed to meet up this next week and pick my classes for this first semester for me.

She gave me some study books, so I can learn the algebra i need, so i can place out of having to take any algebra classes, and is willing to help me when I have any confusion or questions. If I can manage to successfully master this, it will save me a lot of money and time. If i can test out of the algbra, it will reduce my schooling time by one semester. I am also hoping to place high in the biology testing, so I can test out of a lot of those classes i will ave to take otherwise. This too will require some brushing up. After all it HAS been 20 years!

My goal is to get straight A's, If i do this in all the pre-req's, It will greatly increase my chances of being accepted into the first available RN training that will be open upon completion of my pre-req's. It will also be to my advantage that I am currently an LPN and that I am not a "young" student. They view us middle aged gal;s as being more stable and serious about what we want to do, and being more dependable and dedicated. I need to get a part time job as an LPN, because actively working in the field also increases my chances of acceptance into the RN program, which is very limited in openings.

So...Thats what is going on with me. Going from one kind of busy to another. But i am so looking forward to taking this step to improve myself and my life. It has taken me 20 years to get up the courage to do this. (algebra scares me, as i just don't get it...BUT I WILL!).

Wish me luck and the ability to get my brain geared up and ready to absorb everything and do great in this! I am hoping to eventually work on a bariatric unit. This is where my heart is. I do love helping others traveling this journey.

Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings!
Hugs to all!

Good for you!  You're focused and motivated, I don't see any reason for you not to succeed.  =)

Thank you. I hope you are right..lol. I just worry because it has been so long since I went to school, so I need to get my brain in absorption mode again. The one benefit is that I have put so much time and effort into learning everything I can about WLS, and have taken lots of other training to help others and myself in this journey.

My biggest concern I think is that I have to get my family to cooperate and allow me the time I need to study and do assignments without constant interruption. They seem to think I am supposed to be able to drop anything and everything whenever they want or need me, and this is not going to be conducive to successful studying and focus. Time to set clear limits and enforce them.

Thank you for your vote of confidence!

Patrece, I wish you all the best with returning to school. I know it's not easy but you will get the hang of it. I am encouraged that you are going for your RN...that is wonderful. I wish you all the luck and will pray for you.

Susan

Thank you lady! So long since i have seen and heard from you. You look awesome!!!!!!!!! So proud of you!

I have no doubt whatsoever that you WILL succeed in this Patrece, since you want it so much. I do wish I lived across the big pond and half of the huge rock out there so I could help you with the algebra. Don't let it scare you. Think of it as a game with weird rules. Best of luck hon!

Amalia

Thank you sooooo much Amalia for your vote of confidence. I have made up my mind that no matter what it takes I WILL ace the algebra. Tutor, online tutorials, paying off the instructor...lolol.

Thanks for the good luck wishes!