Changing RN degree to something else?? Need advice

Phil313 · Jan 13, 2011

I think it would take much more effort to change to something new. I believe you should try to.... regroup, give yourself some time and assess your weakness and strengths and go from there. I realize it is a challenge, but throwing away all your hard work shouldn't be an option. You can do this...it may take a little longer...but you are almost there.

Take a step back and think about it, and most of all, only get out of nursing if you have decided this is not what you want to do with your life. You have come so far, don't give up.

Good Luck on your decision. :nurse:

Missy77 · Jan 13, 2011

I've felt the same way as you do. I don't know about you but I've been trying to be a nurse for the past decade and wanted to throw in the towel many times but I'm not giving up. I want to prove to myself more than anyone that I can finish what I started to do. Don't give up. I just started EC so I have a way to go but you are right there at the finish line. Your hard work and dedication has lead you to this point. Have you gone to any workshops or asked someone to review your nursing skills? Please give it one more try. I'll be damned if I'm going to let some CPNE stand in my way of being a nurse! I'm not giving them the satisfaction of taking away what I worked so hard to achieve and neither should you!

agldragonRN · Jan 13, 2011

i feel like i have been a nursing student for life with no end in sight. i am ec student and failed my cpne a couple of months ago. at this point, i just don't think i can do it anymore. nursing school has taken so much time and i still have nothing to show for it. anyway, i was wondering if anyone out there has changed degree paths from nursing to something else. if so, what did you do with all your college credits. i have racked up a lot of credits, but not sure i can actually apply them to another degree. does anyone have advice for me?
thank you.

please don't give up. you are so close to your goal. yes cpne is a big hurdle. some people pass first try. some people pass second try. some people pass third try. any of the three is fine as long as you achieve your goal. if this program is not for you, at least you can say i gave it my all and took cpne 3x. i know easier said than done especially cpne is very expensive but you are so close please don't give up now. you should be "more" prepared for the second try since you now know what to expect. good luck to what ever you decide.

Erikadawn RN · Jan 13, 2011

Please don't give up. I felt like you, when I failed my CPNE the first time. I started researching other programs. I found the same thing which led me to Excelsior in the first place. So I got back into my studying, and I went back and passed. Our mind plays tricks on us, tell us we can't do it. My second time was so much easier. I dissected my first CPNE, and what went wrong. I strengthened my lab skills , studied my mnemonics, and practiced my pcs, until I got sick of them. I read so many journals, and practiced care plans. Do not give up, you are almost finished.

Conqueror+, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2011

Keep showing up until they throw you out. That is how you accomplish things. Everyone fails sometimes. You can do this but YOU have to believe that. People pass the CPNE every weekend and they are no better or smarter than you.

N1colina · Jan 13, 2011

Please don't give up. I felt like you, when I failed my CPNE the first time. I started researching other programs. I found the same thing which led me to Excelsior in the first place. So I got back into my studying, and I went back and passed. Our mind plays tricks on us, tell us we can't do it. My second time was so much easier. I dissected my first CPNE, and what went wrong. I strengthened my lab skills , studied my mnemonics, and practiced my pcs, until I got sick of them. I read so many journals, and practiced care plans. Do not give up, you are almost finished.

Did you do any workshops prior to your first CPNE? How about the second? If yes, which one did you do, and do you feel that's what helped you pass the second time around?

RNFinally12 · Jan 15, 2011

Thank you EVERYONE for the encouragement. I have been at this for 5 years. I failed my traditional nursing by a quarter of a point in my last semester. That is why I chose to do EC. I did take a workshop and I found extremely helpful, eventhough I did not pass. Prior to the workshop I was studing as if I was studying for the boards. I didn't know were to begin. After taking the workshop I finally had the right path. During the CPNE, I put forward my training with traditional nursing school and mixed it with EC. I now know that you must follow EC's ways only. I ran out of time with my last PCS. I thought I could not start my assessments and implemetations without getting baseline vital signs. While they say you will have everything you need, that is not always the case. I did not have any vital sign equipment available to me for the 1st 30mins. I prepared my careplan and reviewed some meds.. without really considering the time. That was completing my fault. Just the other day I sent a message on the EC board and they said you do not need to get VS prior to implementing your care. Boy did I feel stupid after reading that. So for anyone getting ready for the CPNE, I would suggest trying not to incorporate anything from your jobs or other schools.

Thank you again for listening.

INLPN93 · Jan 15, 2011

Now that you have been through the CPNE and have a good idea what to expect as far as structure and simulations.

Isn't there a RN or LPN who can also help you by doing mock check offs?

Or verbally quizzing you on the steps involved in the check offs? And I do mean using your CPNE study guide to go step by step the EC way. I plan to begin this when I am doing my FCCA.

I wouldn't give up, until I had exhausted every chance.

You sound like you have the knowledge to use to build the skills, but skills take practice & then more practice.

There are so many options available than to just give up, take some time regroup & destress.