[tstn]

I am in my last semester of nursing school and I am so stress out. The other night my husband ask me what I wanted to eat for dinner? I told him if I have to think about what I wanted to eat for dinner I would go to bed hungery. Right now the only thing I can think about is school. I never thought that going back to school for my RN would be so hard. My grades do not reflect how much I study. I am thankful that I am passing. I can not wait until 12-14-07 graduation.

[General E. Speaking, RN]

LVN of 18 yrs here. I do find that sometimes my floor skills and real life situations hinder me. On the other hand, they have also helped me tremendously. Some one posted about being in NCLEX World when testing. This is true. My coworker just graduated from transitional school and told me that when I am taking NCLEX to imagine that I am working at Perfect Hospital and have only one patient. Guess this one patient thinking wouldn't work with priority questions, but I think sometimes we read into the questions too much.

Doing okay grade-wise- As and Bs. Not such a priority since being accepted into the program. I mean what do you call a nurse who made Cs in nursing school? Answer: a nurse. I know lots of nurses who are very book smart but have poor critical thinking skills. I would advise not beating yourself up for less than perfect grades. My philosophy is that most of us transitioning are a little older with families. We are juggling kids, mortgage payments, work, etc... Somethings gotta give, right? GPA doesn't really matter now. I am not advocating slacking. Just put forth your best effort, learn from your mistakes and wrong answers and move on.

Winding down our Pedi rotation and classes. Finals are on Dec 10th. One month hiatus from school and then I start my last semester in January. I wish I could just relax and bum around for a month but instead will be picking up extra shifts at the hospital (in addition to every weekend) to try and catch up.

*Sigh* just remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel (and it IS NOT A TRAIN) It is a means to an end and we will survive!

[Rexie68]

Originally Posted by txspadequeen921

I just have a question here. I see that most of y'all have considerable experience as a LVN/PN. Do you feel this could be why things are harder for you? I have found that as a transition student my way of thinking is way off the street compared to what my school is expecting. For example on a test when they have "What would you do first " type questions....What I would do first is never the right answer... I think I am victim of my own experience....

I totally agree with you.....I had to change the way I think and forget what I know. I have to give the "book" answers, not reality!! When the question states "what would you do FIRST?" I'm thinking...well, I'd be doing more than one thing at a time, so what do they want?? But, when I think like a first year student, it gets easier. Hang in there....You can do it!!

[yogaluvr]

I am in my first transition semester as well and it has been extremely hard. In LPN classes I was number one in the class and graduated with a 3.9. I know my nursing information but these tests this semester are just tough. I know that I am a good nurse but sometimes after tests I doubt myself. I have just been trying to study NCLEX questions as much as possible. I think that having past work experience as an LPN has been a bit of a hinder in the transition. I have seen that things aren't always how NCLEX wants you to answer. I have also had a few times in answering questions that I am thinking too much into the question. My teacher told me that was because I have seen things in the real world and I just need to not think so much. I think we can all get through it though.

[dlxrn]

I have been where u are. I was a single mom, held two jobs (as an LPN)...and went to school...it was HELL!. I can say as the time went on, school got easier. It just depends on what type of LPN experiences you had that you can apply to school. But just know, there is a HUGE light at the end of the tunnel. I had realized that where I worked the RN's were making more money than me and doing the same job-minus the IVP's....anyway-you can get thru this and realize one day...you will have RN behind you name.