Struggling and in a freak out...

[WickedRedRN, BSN, RN]

OMG..I am almost in a panic! I have gotten through 2 semesters of LPN school, currently in my last, graduation is in December. My last med surg class is a nightmare. I just got a 77 on my last exam! So far I have a 96, 90, 86, and now a 77. I just realized there are 2 exams left and the BEST I can hope for is a B, no way can I pull an A out. I know this sounds petty to complain over this, but up until now, I have been a 4.0 student. And I am going to have to bust my butt to even get the B!

The only thing that has changed is this semester I had to go to work. My school schedule makes it difficult to pick up hours I need (I have to work 20 hours for benefits) so I am winding up doing things like working a 12 hour night shift on sunday night, going straight to class for 8 hours after that. What happens is I wind up nodding off in class, going home and sleeping instead of studying. Tues and Wed are clinical days so I dont work. I get scheduled for 12 hr nights on Thurs and back to class on Friday, which usually there is a test.

I am dying...I know you are going to tell me I need to quit, but there is no way I can...have a little girl and I really need the insurance. Top it off, my next class is taught by the same instructor and it is OB/Peds. I am trying to tell myself I only need to survive 3 more months, but I am scared!!

Thanks for reading, I know this is a huge vent, but I just had to get it out!

[NaomieRN]

Just relax you doing fine.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Besides the feeling the need to panic.....what do you really think? What would you tell your friend to do? Can you go to school part time? Could you schedule your work in perhaps 4/ 5 hour shifts, 2/ 10 hour shifts, 1/ sixteen and one four hour? I've found employers will work with someone who is sincere. What I would advise is to take a deep breath AFTER you finish school.

[LydiaNN]

You might also keep in mind the old adage that C=R.N. (or LPN). Just do the best you can do.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't focus on the grade either, unless you were in danger of failing altogether.

I worked while in college (the first time after high school) at a restaurant on the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift, went home to shower and then to class at 8 a.m. I got a "D" on my first test because I was falling asleep in class, etc. I quit my job. Found another one more conducive to school.

Since you graduate in December, couldn't you go w/o insurance for a couple of months? Even if you have to see a doc, you can make payments. The focus should be getting through school.

Enough advice - here's a big hug. (((((lori)))))

steph

[CarVsTree]

I worked FT while going to Nursing school... This is how I did it.

I worked 12h shifts, mostly on the weekend. I worked Fri, Sat, Off Sun, Class Mon, Clinicals Tue, Wed, Work Wed night 7-7, Off school/work Thurs, School Friday. 1 week out of 4 I had to work 4 hour shifts. I took PTO when I could.

I didn't concern myself about a 4.0. No one else cares. It matters that you do your best and be the best nurse you can be when you graduate.

[slooje]

I already have a BS in Psychology and am now in my first semester of nursing school. After spending several years in the work force and doing some hiring and firing myself, and holding several different jobs I can honestly say that GPA does not matter as much as most people think. I had terrible workers that were 4.0 students and great students that were 2.0 students. As long as you are a good worker you will be respected much quicker and promoted much quicker than others regardless of GPA.

ps, I got a 3.75 gpa for my first BS and realize how meaningless that is unless going to another school.

[BeccaznRN, RN]

I agree with the other posts.....since you must work, you'll have to really try to not put so much emphasis on the A. It will be difficult for you to do that since you are a 4.0 student, but necessary in order to save your sanity! There's just no way that you can give school all the attention that you did when you weren't working. Working 20 hours a week and still getting a B is awesome!!!!!