[1*DEDICATED*STUDENT]

Hi All.....

Let me first update you on my adventure through School....I started a 2 year RN degree program 3 years ago...My first time, I failed 2nd quarter by 1/4th of a point....So ok, I went back the following year....THEN (with an "A" avg.) I had ONLY 3 weeks of the quarter left and got admitted to the hospital and had to withdraw b/c of an Emerg. Hysterectomy!!! *MORTIFIED* ...But still Determined! I went back for a THIRD time...Better luck this time, ALL UNTIL THE 6th quarter (mind you that it's a total of 7 qtrs in order to graduate with your Associates).... I failed the darn final by "5" miserable points....OMG! .... I've worked as a PCA on a Coronary Critical Care Unit, in Nursing homes, in Pharmacy's, and on Med-Surg floors.... So I HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE....I just GET HORRIBLE TEST ANXIETY! .....So anyway, I've decided to do the LPN last 2 qtrs....Which by the way, I'm Getting Straight "A's" in.... When I am done with that, I am considering doing the Excelsior Online LPN to RN program, I just don't know how long it'll take, if it's worth it, etc... I am VERY DETERMINED & VERY DEDICATED to accommplishing my LIFE LONG DREAM of becoming an RN and I'm Gonna Do It and WON'T GIVE UP...I just want to DO AWAY with the Whole "class room setting" thing if possible, since I've gotten QUITE A BIT OF EXPERIENCE THESE LAST 4 YEARS!....I have to say though, Each day that goes by, my Interest level DECREASES MORE AND MORE b/c I feel that I've WASTED MY TIME and am Continuing to WASTE MY TIME!
So....If anyone has expienced the similar things, I'm open to all discussions...But also, I'd like to hear opinions on the LPN-RN programs, typically the Online ones, but all opinions are welcome.....

Thanks So Much,
Very Frustrated Nursing Student

[Melcia060]

dedicated student,
First of all... .
Second... major (and boy do I mean MAJOR) congrats to you for not giving up. While I can't relate to what you're going through exactly, I do know what it's like to have HORRIBLE test anxiety. I thought I was going to throw up on Thursday before, during, and after my A&P exam. I think going for your LPN then doing EC online for your RN sounds like a good plan. I've taken most of my gen ed classes (except the sci courses) online, and I still get nervous about the tests, but it's NOTHING like it is in the classroom!! I can't tell you much about the online LPN-RN programs (I'm just starting nursing school in the September). I know there's a few thread about EC over in the distance-learning forum, perhaps you could get some advice there. I wish I had better words for you, but personally I think if you were going to give up, you would have done it a LONG time ago. At this point you just gotta keep plowing forward. Mel

[dreamlady]

Congrats on not giving up. I can relate to your situation all too well!!!! I had to withdrawal in my A&P II class due to drug interactions from surgery I had. The rotten thing is that you withdrawal with an "F". This semester I failed my pharm class by one question. We have a pharm lab, passed both competencies, however, that doesn't count. I'm applying to CCAC in Pgh, hopefully, I will get accepted!! I wish you all the luck.!!!

[1*DEDICATED*STUDENT]

Thanks to both, Melcia060 & Dreamlady....I wish both of you the best of luck also!.....I was able to browse through the EC forum and I think that I will stick with that plan and hopefully it'll all work out well!