Mamas, we see you, and we appreciate you.
As a future nurse in Virginia, you are taking on the challenge of balancing busy home life, a demanding professional life, and the rigors of nursing school in Washington DC. If no one has told you yet today, you are doing an outstanding job. If you have not been thanked yet today, we want to thank you for your heroic work.
We know you go to bed later than your family so you can study, and you wake up earlier than everyone so you can make breakfast, pack lunches, and get the kids ready for school. Maybe your children are attending school at home in your living room now. In addition to being the best mom, you are also being the best nurse and student. We know you do all of this with patience and joy (as much as you can muster).
You may need to take the GRE or GMAT to supplement your academic records, recommendation letters, and other qualifications for graduate-level study. The GRE and GMAT are both designed to evaluate your analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning skills. While the GRE is the most common test requirement, some schools require you to submit GMAT scores to be considered for their programs.
Now that we’ve covered the exams, here are some tips for navigating this process!
Tip #1 — Know Your Motivation
Taking on this level of work when you have a busy home life or demanding professional life or both is a big decision. It’s important that you take the time to identify why you want to go back to school and what you’re passionate about. Otherwise, when things get tough, you’ll find yourself wondering why you took this challenge on in the first place.
Ask yourself the questions below and identify what’s motivating you to boost your career with a graduate degree:
- Do you want to change careers?
- Do you have a passion for helping others?
- Do you want to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families?
- Do you want to have a fulfilling and rewarding career that makes a positive impact on the world?
- Do you want to make more money in your current role?
- Do you want to qualify for a promotion?
- Do you want to nurture your love of lifelong learning?
Tip #2 — Identify the Right RN Program
Once you’ve clearly identified your motivation for going to nursing school, it’s time to start doing research on schools and programs. There are several important things to consider as you select a program that will work well for you.
Ask yourself if the program fits your lifestyle and consider whether the program will prepare you to reach your career goals. Before really diving into GRE test prep, you’ll want to determine that the programs you’re applying for will align with your professional and personal goals.
Tip #3 — Get Your Family into a Routine
Not only is a disciplined routine good for children and their parents, but it will also really help your children when you are studying for the GRE and eventually going back to school. As you begin your studying and preparation, sit your kids down and have a conversation with them. Let them know that mom is studying for a big, important test, and the routine around the house is going to be really important.
It will take some adjusting and practice, but as they acclimate to the routine you’ve set, their independence will equal more study time for you. These reliable chunks of study time will most often be after the kids are down for the night or before you wake them in the morning.
Tip #4 — Study Smart
There are so many ways you can study smart as a mom. When you sit down to study, make sure you are using your time efficiently. It may seem simple, but actually studying the material that is on the test, identifying and focusing on your areas of weakness, and using good prep materials can make a huge difference.
Next, pick a place that will allow you to study productively. Perhaps this is locked away in your room or at a library that is open for socially distanced studying. Designating a space for study can help you to focus better during your study sessions.
Having a set time and place to study will help you get the most out of each session, but don’t forget to bring work with you everywhere you go. Always having your materials on hand will allow you to maximize your productivity, and those 15- and 30-minute study opportunities add up quickly.
Tip #5 — Enlist Help
Set up a virtual study group with others who are prepping for the test. You can find groups online or through GRE/GMAT prep courses. If possible, find a mentor to walk through this process with you. It could be a person who has taken the test, an old professor, or a GRE/GMAT test prep instructor. Don’t hesitate to ask them questions and reach out to them when you are struggling.
Enlist help around the house. If your children are old enough, assign them some of the household chores. If you have a spouse or partner, communicate with them and ask them to assist you in protecting your study time. If you do not have a spouse or partner at home, ask family members and friends for help. You might also consider hiring a trusted babysitter a few times a week so you can have some uninterrupted study time.
Tip #6 — Shift Your Expectations
It is okay to shift your expectations in a few areas of your life right now. For this season of life, the house might not be super clean, the kids might not have the most creative lunches, and all the laundry might not get done — but everyone will learn to cope, and life will go on.
It is important to recognize that your kids are learning from your example. Your priority of bettering yourself for your family and persevering in furthering your education is an example that speaks far louder right now than an immaculately clean home.
Tip #7 — Remember to Take Care of Yourself
With everything going on, it is easy to forget about caring for yourself. However, you can’t be a happy mother, a good student, or a productive employee if you don’t spend a little time on yourself. Make sure that you care for your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. When you take care of yourself in these areas, it leads to more productive and focused study time.
Choosing SMCAH College of Nursing
At SMCAH, we believe that becoming a nurse is one of the most heroic and rewarding careers out there. That’s why we offer some of the best nursing programs in Virginia and the Washington DC area, designed to prepare you for the NCLEX exam and a successful career in nursing.
Studying for the GRE/GMAT and going back to nursing school is possible as a mother. You are strong, smart, and extremely capable of achieving your dream. We can’t wait to see you thrive. In the meantime, feel free to request more information or start your online application today!
Choosing SMCAH College of Nursing
At SMCAH, we believe that becoming a nurse is one of the most heroic and rewarding careers out there. That’s why we offer some of the best nursing programs in Virginia and the Washington DC area, designed to prepare you for the NCLEX exam and a successful career in nursing.
Studying for the GRE/GMAT and going back to nursing school is possible as a mother. You are strong, smart, and extremely capable of achieving your dream. We can’t wait to see you thrive. In the meantime, feel free to request more information or start your online application today!