Anyone ever think they made a mistake?

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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I have been in the LPN-RN bridge program for about 3 weeks now, and am seriously wondering if I made a mistake. I just graduated from the LPN program in May, took boards, got my license on May 30th, and have never worked as an LPN. I am the only person in my class of 30, who has never worked as a nurse(or CNA). I am doing great with the bookwork, but I have a feeling that I might be very intimidated when it comes to clinicals, which start next week. Has anyone ever been in this same situation and have any advice for me? I'm thinking about just dropping out, getting some experience, then trying again in a year or so. I just hate the thought of that though, since it might be harder to get in then. Any advice would be appreciated!! Thanks.....Lisa

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Specializes in Psychiatry/Substance Abuse.
I have been in the LPN-RN bridge program for about 3 weeks now, and am seriously wondering if I made a mistake. I just graduated from the LPN program in May, took boards, got my license on May 30th, and have never worked as an LPN. I am the only person in my class of 30, who has never worked as a nurse(or CNA). I am doing great with the bookwork, but I have a feeling that I might be very intimidated when it comes to clinicals, which start next week. Has anyone ever been in this same situation and have any advice for me? I'm thinking about just dropping out, getting some experience, then trying again in a year or so. I just hate the thought of that though, since it might be harder to get in then. Any advice would be appreciated!! Thanks.....Lisa

Lisa,

Don't be so hard on yourself. The clinicals should be okay. You just finished LPN school, so the basics are there. Plus you have not had time to acquire any bad habits. You should do great. It is natural to second guess, but stick with it. If you quit now, you may just wonder, what if??:studyowl:

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Thanks for the advice! I guess I will hang in there and see what happens! Maybe it won't be as bad as I am anticipating! Thanks again mentalhealthman!

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Specializes in Level III cardiac/telemetry.

Would it be possible for you to work part-time or PRN as a LPN to gain some experience? I'm in LPN school now and I'm the only one who isn't already working in the medical field so I plan to get a CNA job this fall. I guess your post makes me understand why the LPN-BSN program I want to do requires 1 year of work as an LPN before you can apply. However the LPN-RN program doesn't require that.

I'm sure you'll be fine! You got through your LPN clinicals and internship okay, right? And you passed the NCLEX, which means you know your stuff.

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Why the rush to RN school? You havent even worked as a nurse and yet you are now running headlong into something that you are uncomfortable with. My advice is to drop school for now, MAKE SOME MONEY, enhance your clinical skills and then apply next year whne you have gained both confidence and experience. Just my opinion but to not have ever worked as an LPN seems like a huge expense for virtually nothing. JMO

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
I have been in the LPN-RN bridge program for about 3 weeks now, and am seriously wondering if I made a mistake. I just graduated from the LPN program in May, took boards, got my license on May 30th, and have never worked as an LPN. I am the only person in my class of 30, who has never worked as a nurse(or CNA). I am doing great with the bookwork, but I have a feeling that I might be very intimidated when it comes to clinicals, which start next week. Has anyone ever been in this same situation and have any advice for me? I'm thinking about just dropping out, getting some experience, then trying again in a year or so. I just hate the thought of that though, since it might be harder to get in then. Any advice would be appreciated!! Thanks.....Lisa

If you did all right with the LPN clinicals, you'll be fine with the RN clinicals. I'd advise you to hang in there. I've never met an RN who said, "Gee, I'm so sorry I didn't just stay an LPN."

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I am in the same boat. I have my LPN and I am going back for RN but I don't have a lot of experience as an LPN. It is strange but I think we just need to stick it out and it will be worth it in the end. Good Luck!

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I just graduated last month from a LPN-RN program. We did a transition program last May that was intense. We were required to have 1000 hours of expereince, but think about it when you are on the floor, you are a student nurse not a LPN..so you are not required to know everything. To tell you the truth my cousin and I never told the nurses that we were LPNs once in the regular school year. You don't want anyone to assume that "oh your already a nurse so you know this". I agree with LanaBanana, get a PRN job as a LPN..it does help put things into prespective. Textbook and reality are two different things. Good luck..trust me I have been a LPN for almost 10 years and I too have had moments when I say..I don't know why I am doing this..it isn't a walk in the park, but it will pay off in the long run. Good luck:nuke:

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You'll do just fine. You just graduated as an LPN, and took the boards so all the knowledge is fresh. You've done the clinicals in your program, so you know how to do it. Lots better, in my opinion, than someone whose been an LPN, say in a LTC facility, who hasn't worked with I.V.'s etc in years.

You're not expected to have LPN experience in this program. Stick with it. If you quit now, you'll always regret it. :icon_hug:

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Thanks everyone for all of your positive, helpful responses!! I have my first clinical on Tuesday, so I will let you all know how that goes!! Thanks again!!:thankya:

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you will do ok. The RN builds on your LPN. If you have the basics it will work it self out. Get one of your classmates to work with. It will help. Just relax it will be ok

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I'm sorry I really can't relate to being an LPN, or going to LPN school. But, I am in nursing school at a two year community college for my RN. I have never worked as a CNA, LPN or in the medical field period, and I am only 22 years old. At first, I felt like I should have been a CNA or worked in the med. feild first, but I quickly realized that this will only really help you in the first semester of RN school where you learn all the basics. From then on, everyone is pretty much in the same boat. If I can do it, you can do it. I wouldn't think the LPN to RN program would be much harder then just the plain old RN. And just think, you have your LPN already. Even if you haven't worked yet, you are one step ahead of the folks who are going into an RN program cold. Think of it that way. YOU CAN DO IT!!! ;)

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