Delgado/Charity & AP woes

[maybe_baby]

I am back after a decade. I had a baby last time I started pre-nursing (unplanned) and gave up for a while. He’s almost 9 now so I jumped back in and A&P is snapping me right back into academic reality.

It’s so frustrating. I memorize each chapter, I take all the quizzes and do all of the activities till I master them, then I keep doing them. I use supplementals online wherever I can find them. I don’t stop studying even after I am confident. I answer critical thinking questions without missing a beat.

But then—the exams! (which are the entire grade, plus quizzes) I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I can’t seem to perform on the exams. I did get a 100 on my first physio, but flunked the practical. Just took my second exams and got a 70 on the practical and 33/50 on the physio. Most people are failing or doing about the same as me, so I try not to beat myself up too badly about it. I just can’t understand why I’m not doing better when I know that I KNOW the material like the back of my hand.

I have had all the doubts and asked all the questions (I have asked myself repeatedly “what if nursing just isn’t for me?” But yet I keep returning) I am just expressing my frustration.

Im also really frustrated that Charity abruptly changed the entrance exam from HESI to Kaplan in February, when then next and only Kaplan is this month. I had no time to prepare and have no other opportunities until fall, delaying my eligibility by a semester. I’m 39–every semester feels like a decade to me. I’m going to graduate after my oldest child at this rate as it is (he’s also in pre-nursing at LSU). It’s going to take me a full 4 years to finish an associates degree.

[Nene80]

I totally know how you feel. I am also 39 years old and frustrated because now I have to wait until September to test the Kaplan test. Also, I was told by another student the study guide for the Kaplan test is nothing like the test. I am praying I pass it.

[maybe_baby]

On 4/6/2019 at 5:55 PM, Nene80 said:

I totally know how you feel. I am also 39 years old and frustrated because now I have to wait until September to test the Kaplan test. Also, I was told by another student the study guide for the Kaplan test is nothing like the test. I am praying I pass it.

Someone told me the same thing last week in lab class about the Kaplan. She warned me not to waste my money on the book but said that the quizlets are useful and they’re free, so I’m going to try. I have the book anyway and I’m just going to use it, plus the quizlets. She did tell me the test was not all that bad.

I was so frustrated about them changing it like that, and I’m so worried that bc they pulled the rug out from so many people, the pool is going to be much bigger and more competitive when we apply for Fall 2020.

My classmate who told me about the Kaplan also said that she is applying this summer even though her score isn’t high bc the advisor told her it would “get her in line.” So I’m worried that bc I can’t “get in line” without the Kaplan, I’ll be passed over no matter how high my profile score.

Im looking into back-up schools. I’m considering Fletcher Technical Community college, but it’s a bit of a drive for me and it’s much faster pace. It would only take a year to finish once I start the nursing curriculum, but with 4 kids, I’m not sure I could handle the pace.

i looked into Chamberlain, but tuition is $87,000!! Which isn’t much more than a traditional BSN path at LSU in the end tbh, but still freaks me out when Charity is a fraction of that, and then only a couple thousand to finish the BSN @ LSU w the bridge program.

Im also considering Nicholls. I went there for most of my undergrad credits in the early 2000s so I’m familiar with it.

But I really am hoping for Charity above all others. My mom went to Charity when it first merged with Delgado in the 90s (and if it’s encouraging, she was 36 when she graduated and has had a long fulfilling nursing career for over 20 years and still going strong, albeit a bit weary).

[maybe_baby]

Update: just sharing that i PASSED! With Cs. Ordinarily I’d be sad about those grades but at this point I’m just glad I passed. It was a rough semester, that was by far the toughest class I’ve ever taken, and my kids really kept me busy (not to mention certain other players), but I’m optimistic. I suck at rote memorization, I’m better at problem solving & critical thinking activities, but I think I’m going to do better in APII. I’m prepared and have better study skills. I made some new friends in my class the last couple weeks who encouraged me to go study with them in our resource lab. We’re taking APII together as well.