pov : you get accepted into nursing school🥹🎉👩🏾⚕️
Attempt #4 to go to school to become a nurse & im finally in there!!!! In 2017, I decided I would go to school to become a nurse, helping people has always been my passion so I figured I would do some good in the world. I started school at the community college in my hometown in January 2018, I was doing well. I was passing all my classes & pre reqs. February 28, 2018 I got into a bad car accident and I missed school for a whole month. I wasn’t able to finish out the semester. Fast forward, after I recovered I enrolled into a 4-year school in the same town (idk why I would go from a 2 year to a 4 year), but I flunked out of my fall semester. This was attempt # 2 & I was unable to receive financial aid, so the only choice I had if I wanted to go back to school was to pay out of pocket. I sat out of school for about a year, and then I finally went back. I paid for my whole semester to bring my grades up so that I could be able to get financial aid again & guess what I did???? 😅 I FLUNKED OUT AGAIN. Not because I wasn’t smart enough or the work was too hard I simply didn’t want it bad enough. At this point, I owe the school money and I can’t get financial aid so I gave up on it. That was in 2020. In July of 2024, guess what happened??? they started to release the transcripts of students regardless of if they had a balance or not. I went to my old school after the 4th of July and they gave me my transcript. 😭 I was finally able to do it this time, but the only thing stopping me was I had baby and I didn’t really have a lot of options for child care. So I started asking family members for help to watch him while I did my 3 pre-reqs and to my surprise everybody I asked was willing to help. I went back to my community college, enrolled, and started my pre-reqs in August. I studied and studied and worked hard to pass my classes, I brought my GPA back up, I was able to get financial aid, and I had the help I needed for my son. At the beginning of October I had a minor setback because the college I wanted to attend originally for the LVN program closed their deadline Oct 1. On Sept 26, I tried to schedule the TEAS online, but for some reason the service was down and I couldn’t do it. I cried and cried and cried because I missed the deadline, so I started looking up other schools. Finally came across Galen, learned they started their program 4 times a year and applied. In the process of all of this, I packed, I moved, I planned my son’s 1st birthday, I bought birthday gifts, I studied, I did hair to help pay for extra expenses, and MORE. I finally attended a Zoom meeting with advisors and student advocates from the school, they scheduled me a FREE exam for the ATI TEAS, I moved back to Austin, Texas with my son’s dad and I passed the TEAS on the first try. 😭 This morning I got the email that IM GOING TO NURSING SCHOOL!!!!!! #futurenurse #lemon8challenge #Lemon8Diary #college
Hey future nurses! Reading my story, you might be wondering about some of the specifics that helped me finally get here, especially that big hurdle: the ATI TEAS exam. When I saw my 82.8% score, after all the ups and downs, it felt like a dream! It's such a crucial pre-admission assessment for programs like the Diploma in Vocational Nursing at Galen College of Nursing, and honestly, preparing for it can feel overwhelming. Let me share a few things I learned about tackling the TEAS. First, don't underestimate it. It covers English and Language Arts, Math, Science, and Reading. I used official ATI study guides and found practice tests invaluable. They really help you identify your weak areas so you can focus your study time wisely. Remember, this isn't just about passing; a good score can seriously boost your application, especially for competitive programs. For my virtual exam, I had a proctor like Shannon Peck overseeing everything. It's important to have a quiet, clean space, stable internet, and ensure your tech setup meets their requirements. It can feel a bit nerve-wracking, but just breathe and focus! Beyond the TEAS, maintaining good grades in your prerequisites, like those 100% and 99.38% scores I managed in my nursing and human anatomy courses, is equally vital. It shows your dedication and academic capability. Don't just aim for a pass; strive for understanding. Form study groups, use flashcards, and don't hesitate to ask professors for help. Building a strong foundation now will make nursing school itself much smoother. And once that glorious acceptance email from Galen College of Nursing arrives, what's next? It’s not just about the 'getting in' part; it's about staying in and thriving! My biggest advice? Get organized immediately. Attend all orientation sessions – they’re packed with vital info about your program, resources, and faculty. Start looking into financial aid options again, even if you think you won't qualify. Things change, and every bit helps. Don't forget to register for classes early to get the schedule that works best for you. For those of you balancing life, family, and school, like I did with my son, childcare is key. Don't be afraid to ask for help from family and friends; you'd be surprised how many people want to see you succeed. Building a strong support system isn't just for your emotional well-being; it's practical. Also, learn time management strategies early on. Nursing school is demanding, and finding ways to fit in study time, clinicals, and personal life is essential. I had to learn to say no to some things and prioritize. Sometimes, it meant late-night study sessions, just like that image of my laptop glowing in the dark, but it was all worth it. Remember, even those CNA clinicals are part of the journey to becoming a full-fledged nurse! Finally, keep reminding yourself why you started this journey – that passion for helping people is your ultimate fuel. My path was anything but straight, filled with detours, financial hurdles, and moments where I almost gave up. But each 'setback' truly was a setup for a comeback. Whether you're aiming for a pre-admission assessment or already navigating your first semester, you've got this, future nurse! Never stop working towards your dreams.
I’m scared to fail the TEAS