Discouraged LVN - need help guys!

[MimismomRN]

I guess I just need some advice, support here guys. I am a new LVN (49 years old) yeah I know. I have three prereqs to do to get into the LVN-Bridge program. This semester I took anatomy and micro together. Well I failed my first lab practical and even though I was at a B in the class I am now at an F. So I'm dropping the anatomy and will concentrate on micro now. But I am so discouraged. I still need physiology and wanted to be done before my 50th birthday in August. This is the second time I have had to drop anatomy. Am considering taking it (alone) over the summer, but so afraid I just cannot do that class. Maybe it's my menopause brain, but I cannot remember all the parts of those bones, etc. and I blank out even after studying 24/7. Has anyone had trouble like this with anatomy. Now I have a fear of trying it again. I think I can pass micro, but the anatomy scares me to death now. I will definiately not take the same instructor. At our college in Lancaster, CA, the science courses are University level and some say they are geared towards pre med students. I just don't feel smart enough to pass this class and feel like I can never become an RN now. My 22 year old daughter is graduating with her RN in June, but her mom is an idiot!!!! If anyone has any thoughts, suggestions. I would appreciate it. I am soooooooo discouraged right now. Thanks guys. You are all my heros. Sincerely, old gal LVN in California :) ::monkeydance:

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

I don't know much about menopause. In one of my nursing classes, I was apparently the only one who thought men don't go through menopause. I, however, was right.

I do have first-hand experience as a middle-aged nursing student. Do not, for a moment, allow yourself to believe that you aren't as smart as you once were. IQ does not change throughout the lifespan, and in practical terms you are smarter than you were in your twenties, since you have abundant life-experience and the ability to apply lessons learned in other areas to problems you face now. In short, you can do this. LVN/LPN school is hard. If you can do that, you can do RN school, as well. DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE DISCOURAGED.

That said, I think you may be on the right track, taking anatomy by itself. I also agree with taking notes, making flashcards, etc. I highly recommend a study group. If you can find even a couple of people with motivation equal to yours and work together, it can help a great deal.

One thing I found helpful in anatomy is learning what those mind-boggling Latin names mean. I don't mean taking a course in Latin, unless you are so inclined, but just buying a used latin dictionary might help. Somehow, to me, "little vinegar cup" is less imposing than "acetabulum."

My anatomy instructor also recommended an Anatomy Coloring Book. You can get them from online bookstores, if not in your school bookstore. To be honest, I didn't get a lot of benefit from mine--anatomy came fairly easily to me--but others did, and there were times when coloring was fairly good OT to cope with the stress of my other courses.

Good luck. Not that you need luck. You'll do just fine on your native intelligence, perserverance, and sultry good looks alone.

[MimismomRN]

Nurse Mike, thanks you made me laugh. As I sit here ploughing through my microbiology book. I think I failed that test this week too, since I was concentrating on the anatomy class. Now I can just focus on that. I'm thinking of taking anatomy over the summer (10 weeks instead of 16). I know it would be tough, but a different instructor and just focusing on that may help me suceed (I hope). Then all I have left is Physiology to go to the birdge program. My 22 year old graduates from the RN program in June and that makes me feel older!!! Someone said go to the 30 unit option and you don't have to take anatomy, but I already have the other 12 classes under my belt to get the Associate's so that would be a waste. I think I can do okay on the written anatomy tests. It's the lab practicals that I blank out from. Hey I did use the coloring book and flash cards as you said. The study group was distracting for me though. Young kids that were'nt studying ifyou know what I mean. I just need to get over the fear of I can't do it and just do it. Right?? I have only been an LVN for one year and I graduated second in the class so I must have known something??? Thanks for your kind words, thoughts and encouragement. Susan;)

[GingerSue]

I graduated second in the class so I must have known something???.

Susan;)

of course you do

and it's just the amount of pressure that's on right now

so take some of the pressure off

it's the fear getting in the way - so put that aside too - that just wastes your time

instead - focus on "try, you can do it"

Something that I started doing recently was making up my own Word documents for each chapter, line by line, making up my own question on the left margin, then on the right side of the screen I have the answers, which I cover with an envelope when I do my reviewing. I make them short documents, save them, and use them later.

It forces me to either fill in the blank, or come up with the answer, description, reason, etc. It works for me.

{funny thing is that now I dream questions, just before waking up, so I have to remind myself, at that point, not to remember those answers because they're not from my textbook}

all the best to you

[MimismomRN]

Thank you so much Ginger Sue, I will try our advice. I need all the help I can get right now. You are awsome. Thank you for your kindness and encouragement. I need people to tell me I'm not an idiot right now like I feel. I even went to the special education office today to set myself up for testing to see if I have a learning disability. I'm starting to wonder!!!!! But I think it is menopause brain!!! Take care. Susan in California:idea: