[DebbieMarie]

Hi. I'm Debbie, a prospective RN student in Oklahoma.

I'm 53 years old now.

I have a BA and MA in Social Sciences from the University of Oklahoma. I graduated in 1992.

I'm trying to decide between attending OCCC and Rose State. I'm pursing the AA degree accelerated option.

I do not want to pursue a BA or more, and I want to keep this as simply as possible because I do not have a strong science background.

I realize there will be science courses.

Please tell me which of the two schools are better for a social science major.

Why is it when I talk to ANYONE about enrolling in an RN program their eyes roll back in their heads and they approach the whole subject with a sense of enormous dread?

Can it be anymore stressful than surviving an alcohol/abusive childhood; two alcoholic/abusive marriages and near abject poverty; going to college and working full time which involved taking 36 hours of statistics to graduate with no prior math background and writing/defending a thesis to boot. And somehow living to tell about it.

Is nursing school more stressful than this? If so, I don't think I can make it through.

Despite all this, I have a heart for hurting people, and I want to anything I can to ease their emotional and physical suffering.

I work as a CNA/HHA now, and also do volunteer work as a support group facilitator for a depression/bipolar support group.


Thank you.

Debbie

[Levita]

Welcome Debbie!

You have proved you are a survivor! I would be asking myself if I was in it for the right reasons. The work is hard, but rewarding as you have alluded in your post. Being able to detach from the stresses that are a part of both education/clinicals and the field of nursing is essential. If you deem this is something you can do, then by all means go for it! Nothing should stop anyone from pursuing their passions.

I have no comments re people "rolling their eyes" to you. Have you asked them why? As for you choices of colleges, I am not familiar with your area. Maybe someone else will.

Best Regards!

[cougarnurse]

Welcome, Debbie! Whereas I cannot tell you which school is the best, I CAN tell you that nursing IS rewarding. True there is some 'stress' (part of life); however, what you have endured will help you. Those who have rolled their eyes at the thought of nursing may not realize what all nursing is about.

I truly hope that you post often and let us know how school goes. I'd love to know how you progress!

'Cat'

[DebbieMarie]

THANK YOU COUGAR for your encouragement. It was nice to hear. I was rather puzzeled with Levita's question about my motives. I thought wanting to ease the suffering of others was a very good motive.

I know my strengths and weaknesses. And upon graduation I would seek a low-level stress position that was a good fit for me. I would never be a member of a trauma team. Positions that would be a good fit for me would include working with the disabled/developmental disabled or our senior citizens in a Home Health setting, assisted living setting, or perhaps the Veteran's Center. I've worked with stroke patients in the past, assisting them to gain back their mobility, and I would love to work on a Rehab Unit if possible.

I suppose my favorite patients are those with mental health issues. They are joy to be around, at least for me they are.

And there are so many more opportunities that will be a right fit for me that I don't even know about yet. I just know I don't belong in ER. That would be too high-stress.

Debbie

[cougarnurse]

Hey, Deb! I believe Levita was looking at things from her own perspective.

Psych may be your calling, eh? It is a good line.

[MICU-RN]

Welcome Debbie and all the best to you in your endevors.

[AmandaWIRN]

Welcome!

[DebbieMarie]

Thanks, Cougar!

So nice to meet you Micu and Amanda. I'm so happy you are doing the work you're doing. Lord knows I'll never do it.

Goodnight.

Debbie

[Levita]

Hey Debbie! I wasn't questioning your motives at all! I was saying what I would do, if I was in your situation from what you said. Sorry it was misunderstood.

Hope to see you around, and good luck in your endeavors!