Words of wisdom needed!

[Madgirl2]

After 17 years in paid employment, I decided a year ago to give it all up and go back to university. I am studying nursing and having previously been at the top of my profession, have suddenly found myself at the bottom of the ladder again. I've had a good year and got straight A's in all my exams. However, sometimes I wonder why I'm putting myself through it. I am 35 years old, I work 7 days a week between uni/hospitals and my part time job ( I have to work as I need to pay the mortgage). Between this I try to accommodate my boyfriend and my friends. It's really hard!!!!! I have alot of reasons to feel proud of myself so far so why do I feel a bit down? Has anyone been through anything similar cos I could really do with some words of encouragement/wisdom right now?

[Big Al1st]

Hi, It certainly looks as if you are having a hard time. It is not easy to do the things you want, with the committments you have, especially after you had full time employment.
However there must have been reasons why you wanted to change direction so look at it this way
1. WHEN I pass I will be doing a really worthwhile job helping other people
2. WHEN I have pass I will have proved to myself,and other people who may have doubted me, that I can do it?
3 WHEN I have pass I will get alot of satisfaction from what I have achieved
4 When I have pass I will look back and think how the hell did I manage to do all that.

It's hard but I hope you keep on and achieve what you want to achieve and I wish you all the very best. Keep us posted on how you are doing Rgds Al

[Madgirl2]

Thanks Al! Your kind words have made me feel better already!

[myselfness]

i know what your going through in a way...

last year i was going through college paying for way too many things... monday- friday 9-5 in college and saturday and sunday 9-6 in work... completly over worked... became exhausted and didnt get what i wanted out of the course...

didnt fail but didnt do as good as i probably could of... (congrats on doin so well BTW... you obviously earned it...)

As Al said it will all be worth it in the end... it may seem like alot now but the end result is what you need to focus on and keep going

i am re-doing the year but the best advice i can give you is to find half an hour a week (any time...lunch or before you go to bedor wake up half an hour early or something) just to sit... read a book... drink a cup of tea... and relax...
it may not seem like alot but it makes a world of difference to not have to worry about anything... atleast for a moment

[Madgirl2]

Thanks Myselfness. It's good to hear I am not alone! I wish you every success this year!

[Big Al1st]

Hi myselfness, good advice taking a little time out. Wish you all the best on your re-take, and I hope you are taking your advice as well Rgds Al

[bobtheturkey]

my sister is going back to uni it is her last day at work tomorrow she wants to further herself while she still can so go for it

[bednobs]

i would nt worry too much - when i was a nursing student i thought i was haing a mental/financial and physical breakdown as well as turning into a horrible monster at home. It gets better i promise .... i would be a nurse again in a heartbeat, but if i had to go throught he training i'd chose to work in a cake shop i think!

[Madgirl2]

Bednobs are you still in nursing?

[Madgirl2]

Mmmm! Maybe cakes would make me feel better!

[bednobs]

yes, i work as a macmillan nurse

[Big Al1st]

Bednobs, That is one type of nurse i really admire. All nurses do good work but you and others like you deserve a medal as far as I am concerned Rgds Al

[Madgirl2]

I think the hardest part for me is that I am busting my ar5e and am constantly poor. I earned a good salary before I left my job so I'm feeling the pinch. That said, I am much happier with what I am doing. I just hate the poverty. Mr Blair has alot to answer for..........

[bednobs]

lol madgirl sorry, but i cant agree with that ... over the last 10 years my pay and conditions have improved immesurably and continuously. Do you get a bursary? if you do its more than most students do, and your earning otential will be good once you are qualified. i would guess your expectations might be different if you had a well paid job before though. I have always earned more than my husband despite him having a degree/ post grad certificat in his chosen area ...its only just now , after 10 years of his hard work his erning potential is exceeding mine

[bednobs]

and thankyou for the compliment big a/ist, although i have to say its horses for courses .... i couldn't work in an office all day, or build buildings, or be a police person (i could however, run a the afforementioned cake shop, perhps with madgirl2 as co-manager?)

[Madgirl2]

The bursary I get is about �6500k a year. I know that this is better than most students but when I am working a 37.5 hour week, on top of my studies and exams sometimes it's hard to swallow. It's less than the minimum wage and whilst I am supernummary, the reality is that I am an extra pair of hands contributing to the demands of the NHS. In addition to this I am studying in Scotland. We do not get the same student holidays as the students in England do (we have 3 weeks off in the summer) so we are really hard worked. However, I do agree that when I qualify it will be worth it and that pay and conditions for nurses has substantially improved over the years. There is a really high attrition rate from my course due to the financial constraints. Apparently the RCN are fighting to raise the bursary to 10K. This would really help I think! However, I will strive on because I know I will get there. I appreciate your input and think you do a great job!

[Madgirl2]

Bednobs I would gladly act as co-manager in said cake shop. Although methinks we may eat the profits.....:-)

[bednobs]

lol you can eat the profits - i'll eat the cakes thanks!

[Big Al1st]

Hi bedknobs and madgirl, Will it be a licensed cakeshop.
Muffins and beer, heaven!