Dropped out RN school because of anxiety and now going for LPN

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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Hi everybody.

I've followed allnurses for quite some time. I have read numerous posts and have learned and been inspired quite a few times. I decided to create an acct and post since I'm feeling kind of down. Let me first explain that my grandmother raised me, and she was an LPN. I decided from a very young age that I wanted to help others, and I'd always want to go care for a sick relative when someone wasn't feeling well. I loved putting bandaids on my dolls, watching the health channel...everything in between as a child. By the time I was in junior high, I was studying nursing topics and books. I then had to drop out of high school as I got pregnant at 17 & decided to get my GED. I then went to a community college and spent 5 semesters doing nursing classes. I got into RN school with a 3.56 GPA. I was very proud of that. However, I ended up getting tinnitus in Oct 2014 and that almost ruined my life. I pushed through A&P classes and college algebra, but I got severely depressed. My anxiety was terrible. I then got on medication and felt somewhat better. Finished my last semester and then got accepted into RN school. I passed fundamentals with an 86, then dropped out halfway through med surg second semester because my anxiety got really bad and I fell behind. I lack self confidence and I am always scared to hurt someone in clinicals. I decided I'll take the LPN route & this gives me 5 months to really get myself together. I just started therapy again and am experimenting with different medications to control my anxiety. I just started working as a home health caregiver and plan on taking the CNA exam in July. I really want to get through this. Caring for others is my passion. I just wanted to know, if there's anyone like me out there, or know someone like me? That has anxiety, low self esteem, dropped out, then went back & kicked butt? Who gained through confidence and are now a fantastic nurse. It's gotta be possible right? Anyone else leave RN school and did well in LPN school? I'm intimidated by the LPN program. 8am-3pm Mon-Fri and a lot of clinicals and traveling. We even go to a psych ward second semester and have to stay there for 4 days in a hotel since it's like 5 hours away. I just need some advice and motivation and SUPPORT. Please don't bash me or tell me to give up. I really want this. I want to believe God has a plan for me.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to more appropriate forum for more replies.

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Thank you. Sorry I'm new to this!:up:

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LPN school is generally no easier than RN school. Could you possibly go back to the RN school and take steps to turn your resignation into a medical leave of absence? Get your health together and you can handle RN school just as easily as LPN school if you are motivated enough.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
LPN school is generally no easier than RN school. Could you possibly go back to the RN school and take steps to turn your resignation into a medical leave of absence? Get your health together and you can handle RN school just as easily as LPN school if you are motivated enough.

I was going to say this. The LVN route isn't easy than the RN route. It might seem easier because the program is shorter than the RN program but it is just as hard. A lot of information you have to master in a short amount of time. You have class, lab & clinicals. If you got into an RN program I would go for that.

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So you are in LPN school and working as a home health care if I am understanding your writing correctly. Meanwhile, you are saying you are intimidated by 8-15 Mon thru Fri, clinicals, and travels for your LPN school. I think you need to slow down. By reading your post, I feel the workload you are facing is too much. Don't you do mindfully one thing at a time especially if you have anxiety issues? I'm not saying to give up, but I think you need to sit down and make a realistic future plan. I understood your passion of caring for others, but who takes care of you?

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Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.

Personally I think you should hold off school for now. You are still sorting out you meds and have just started therapy. Get your self sorted first, you are working, have kids, and dealing with anxiety which can get worse when you add the stress of school on top of that.

During my first year I had a lot of gynae problems, and was trying different meds to get thing sorted that had horrible side effects. I spent most my time in bed to sore to even move or at specialist appt., I couldn't go to class and fell way behind. I failed a couple of papers and I had to retake them and do an extra semester of study. I was so low after that and was so close to giving up/failing out. It took a long time to get my confidence back, and now in my last year of my bsn it still affects me when I get stressed out.

I can't imagine trying to go through school when I already had anxiety and lack of confidence to begin with. Work on you mental health first, then work out what route you want to take. You have plenty of time left to get your degree, don't rush it, take you time.

And hey a CNA is still helping people.

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I'm going to go against everyone here, and say do it! But have a plan:

Is your therapist readily available to accept extra sessions or phone calls if you're having one of those weeks? If not, do you have someone who knows how to help talk you through a bad night?

What will you do if the workload is too much and you have to drop to part time or per diem work?

How will you handle the nights when you don't have time to sleep once all your homework is done? Certainly with high anxiety you'll want to avoid the go-to energy drinks and caffeine?

Who will be your support net? Do you live near family or a strong network of friends who could watch the kids on short notice? Would they be willing to come over at random just to do flash cards or help you out of a bad spot?

These are questions I wish I had asked myself. Lpn is shorter, and it's a very different environment and process from RN or from a regular college in general. That may make it seem easier for you. But for many, it's not easier, only different. Also consider how you will manage your career goals after LPN. Do you still want to be an RN? If not, that's great. If so, that's great. But decide and prepare yourself for the realities of working as an LPN (higher legal and medical responsibility than cna, though less physically taxing) while going back into school for your RN.

Do it! Go for it! Just make a plan so that when you get into a difficult situation, and if your anxiety takes over completely, you have a plan already in place of how to handle the situation and move forward.

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