I really need advice please!

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Happy New Year everyone! I need advice about which path to take from here.

For six years I went through a really hard, non-functioning depression. I was able to overcome it and started to "rebuild" my life. I lost weight, started a serious relationship, got a part-time job, and went back to school. Because of my past, I knew that I wanted to go into the healthcare field and help others.

I decided to start out at a local business college and earn my degree in Clinical Medical Assisting, get a job, and eventually enroll in nursing school. I just finished up my second semester with another 4.0 and have really enjoyed the medical classes I've taken so far (Terminology/Anatomy 1&2, Ethics, and Pharmacology.) However, I am sick of dealing with unprofessional teachers and financial aid issues.

My boyfriend told me to finish what I start, but I am seriously considering applying to the local vo-tech to become an LPN in August. As of now, I would finish my CMA degree in March 2016. I would finish the LPN in August 2016. It doesn't make sense to me to continue in a program knowing that isn't my goal. Not to mention, I'll end up with more student loan debt.

Any advice?

I would advise you to go for the LPN license. Take a breather while you work as an LPN and then decide if you want to continue in an LPN to RN program. And good for you for rising above your depression. Keep that at bay and your life will be more pleasant on out.

I agree about switching, but do make sure you know it's limitations (the real ones not the ones the schools tell you about). Also make sure it makes sense for your area. If LVNS make what CMAS do then and there are not LVN jibs you'll have problems. In short fully research your options. Also I hate to say this but you will run into disorganization and FA issues until you are done with school. It's a deeply annoying thing but it seems to exist everwhere.

Happy New Year and congrats on rising above your depression. I totally agree with PP, research your area and make your decision from there. But good luck with whichever direction you choose!

I'd tell you to ignore your BF's advice (you're right it will just hold you back from your goals, and never give anyone the power to do that) and reach even higher-- go to an ASN program (one that integrates with a BSN program for later) and become an RN.

Your writing indicates you're smart enough and perceptive enough to have what it takes. It'll take you another year, but you know what? You'll be the same age then, but you'll have an RN license instead of an LPN license, with much better prospects for work and income.

Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

I would advise you to stop blaming "unprofessional teachers." IF you complete school you will always work with people you don't necessarily agree with. You still need to work hard and complete the task at hand. The LEAST professional people I have worked with are people who blame others for their problems. You are sick of dealing with financial aid issues? Then quit. Or solve the problem. It is fairly simple.

I don't blame others for my problems, and you don't even know the situation to judge. I am attending a business college where they preach professionalism yet teachers are talking about issues they have about individual students to other students instead of the person he or she has the issue with. Also, I was almost kicked out due to an issue that the financial aid person made a mistake on. I have done my part, I have the 4.0, and there's no doubt I'll be successful. I asked a question, and instead of giving legitimate advice, you went off on a rant and contributed nothing. Thank you.

I agree it's worth it to go for LPN. once you get the CMA that's it, you can't really build on that. And if it isn't your goal then it's really a waste of money. However, I do suggest you find a way to deal with the unprofessional teachers, because you are going to find unprofessional individuals in nursing school and for the rest of your life, so you may as well find a way either deal with those type of people or ignore them and not let it affect you.

Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

I only know what you post. I am not judging you. You post something I responded. I didn't go on a "rant." If you were "almost" kicked out because of a mistake with the "financial aid person" then why would you quit? Humans make mistakes and you don't just quit because of it. I could care less what you do. I am just saying you are wanting to quit because of others..you will have THOUSANDS of times when you will deal with people you don't necessarily like as an RN. You can't just walk out and quit. Good work on the 4.0 and keep working hard. You need to chill out on the "rant" when the only thing unprofessional is quitting because you don't like someone. I got my BSN dead broke and eating once a day. I lived in a nearly horrible apartment but quitting was not an option. That was 9 years ago. It is up to you.

I do understand what you're saying, and I appreciate your response. I am in no way giving up or quitting because of the issues I have had to deal with. I was just factoring it in as part of my decision about whether to finish this degree or go for my LPN. I know that I'm doing this in order to better my future and help others, and there is no giving up. I have attended college previously and I know issues sometimes pop up, but I have never had to deal with the problems that I have had at this school. I have worked hard in my classes, filled out my paperwork, and completed everything correctly on my end, so it was very frustrating to learn that this person's mistake almost cost me my financial aid and would have halted my educational progress and put me in serious debt for tuition. Anyway, I know whichever path I take, I will still achieve my end goal (I would just prefer to do it with as little debt and years of school as possible.) Thank you for the advice and congratulations to you too. I bet it felt amazing to reach the end and know all of the struggle was worth it.

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