How long did it take you?

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In all curiosity I was wondering did it take anybody else as long as it is taking me to finish nursing school??? I have failed three classes I have four C's and am currently six classes away from completing my BSN pre-req's all while preparing to go into ASN clinicals. I have been in school 3 years and it has been long and tedious. My heart still beats for it though. Competition is so fierce in Nursing that I am often awestruck with the things some people will say to get one foot ahead of you. Granted I have been out of school 14 years, then I decided to go back. Not to mention I'm a 35 year old mother of four. "Your still trying", "OH you have C's", "Go for your LPN", this is all unwanted advice I was getting from fellow future nurses. I am still steadfast into my career and I have no intention from diverting from my goals. I said all that to ask this "How long did it take YOU?" Am I the only person who feels like I'm running and running and still standing still! I know you have to encourage yourself but today I need a little help.

Well, not sure if you wanted answers from the other side, but... I am track to finish my BSN in a total of 3.5 years. I finished my pre-reqs in 18 months by doing a full 16-19 credit hours each semester and 6-9 during each summer semester. I am a 37 year old mother of 3 teens, who dropped out of school at 16 (got my GED), and went back to school at 35. I will say that teens are much easier than preschoolers, and I have not had to work while in college so that frees up quite a bit of time for studying.

Regardless of how long it takes you to get there, don't let anyone else's journey make you feel bad. You do you :)

Thank you so much!! I see the light at the end of the tunnel but it just looks like from where I am other people's drive is shorter!í ½í¸‚í ½í¸‚í ½í¸‚ I was born to be a nurse and am so excited for my future. I guess I'm getting antsy because it's almost time to apply for clinicals.

Specializes in ER.

Some of my friends were older in school than you were. I wouldn't worry about it too much. As long as you can get into a clinical school. One even had to do a minor diversion where he failed out of the traditional ADN and went into LPN school and then back into the LPN to RN ADN program. Keep your eye on the goal but be flexible. It's one of the traits of being a nurse.

Thank you Applesxoranges I needed that. I'm definitely not quitting. The discouragement I was getting was just really starting to bum me out. My spirits are much better now.

I am 42 and am starting school in March to get my RN I currently have my LPN and have been working for over a year with my LPN. It has taken me much longer than most because I too am a mother and have chosen to go part time. Making this choice has made my journey longer but financially there was no other choice. The LPN program took 18 months and the LPN-RN program will take another 18 months. Keep at it, if you can get past the negativity/competition of other students you can get through it. All of our journeys are different and most of the students getting the higher grades may not have children/spouses pulling them in other directions. Good luck and keep going!

Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

My LPN was one year, it's taken me three years part time to finish all of my associates pre-reqs, co-reqs, and bachelor pre-reqs. Then I have a year for my associates starting in July then after graduation and passing NCLEX I will have a year online for my BSN. So I guess that's 6 years total combined lol! Lord. It is very tedious and I am getting worn out from school. I am going to take a year break after graduating with my associates before I start my bachelors. I am getting a bit burned out at this point.

Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

I also wanted to add that I work with a woman who is 45 and doing the LPN to RN bridge and will go for her BSN. We all know that we wont have any social security so most likely will be working till 80 lol plenty of time to pay off loans!

Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

Keep going! Nursing school is awful but stopping partway through is worse. Put your head down and keep fighting! I actually lost an entire semester to being in an auto accident but came back stronger than ever. It felt terrible to watch my friends graduate without me. I also had to deal with too many suggestions to do something else.

Graduating felt like a million bucks! I felt like I had really accomplished something good. I felt it all over again when I got my job and passed NCLEX.

You can do it! Just keep going!

:cat: :yes: :)

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