Accepted into ADN program BUT

[nolansmom]

I need some advice from those who have been here before. I am finishing up a PN program & will be starting the ADN program in August. I keep going back & forth on IF I want to continue.

My clinical experiences were ok. I didn't mind most of the patient care but also did not get to experience inserting an IV or a foley So my lack of hands on experience makes me apprehensive about continuing on. I currently do not work in the healthcare field & don't have any past experience other than clinicals. At this point I am wishy-washy about floor nursing. I didn't hate it but I also didn't love it. I really find myself wanting to go into mental health or the OR which I know I will need to be an RN for.

I am expecting baby #2 in October & some days I really wonder if I shouldn't just take my PN boards & find an office to work in to have a steady schedule for our family especially since my husbands shift may be changing to 4am-2pm/4 days a week. I am not sure how we could arrange childcare if I am working nights.

Obviously my family is encouraging me to continue. I hate to pass up the opportunity to continue especially with most of the same classmates. I can always stop if its not a good fit or even work as an LPN down the road even if I have passed the RN boards. Anyone else ever feel this way?

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

My clinical experiences were ok. I didn't mind most of the patient care but also did not get to experience inserting an IV or a foley So my lack of hands on experience makes me apprehensive about continuing on. I currently do not work in the healthcare field & don't have any past experience other than clinicals. At this point I am wishy-washy about floor nursing. I didn't hate it but I also didn't love it. I really find myself wanting to go into mental health or the OR which I know I will need to be an RN for.

Please don't let your clinical experience hold you back from starting an ADN program. I graduated from an ADN program and the skills I did in clinical were minimal. They had to split skills between me and 5 other students and often times, there was another clinical group there as well. It wasn't until I precepted that I was able to preform skills and even then, I only did 2 foleys and an IV.

The beauty of nursing is that there are many different areas I'd nursing to go into. If you don't want to work in the floor, you may not have to. I went straight to the OR after graduating and love every minute of it! But you are right, you have to be an RN to work in the OR. Good luck in your decision!!

[anewsns]

The instructors know where you're at if they've taken other Lpns. RN school is only a little bit about skills but mostly about making good judgment calls. If you're able to do it now , you'll have a lot more opportunity in general . Maybe not right away , but through the course of your career. You can even do an office job and at least make your RN pay. Ive never been an LPN so I may be biased but I think RN work is overall more satisfying.