HI all! I wanted to share my experience of how I finally became an RN after going through tough obstacles. It all started back in 2002. I did my CNA but never practiced as I wanted to go back to get a bachelors degree in pych.
After I graduated with my BA, I applied to a BSN program in Chicago (1/2006). Got accepted and that was the first school I had applied to. I was so happy, excited, and felt this was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I didn't know at the time that the school was going on probation due to low NCLEX passing rates (85%).
Nursing school was a whole different experience and MUCH MUCH harder than I ever thought it would be. I was constantly falling behind as I was in the accelerated BSN program, and just couldn't keep up with taking 4 classes, clinicals, care-plans, labs, and writing papers. Mind you learning all the nursing terms/concepts was completely new to me--I came from a university where you had to READ chapters in textbooks.
I had picked up that bad habit of reading everything in my nursing books. Well, to make a long story short. I had failed out. I failed because I didn't pass two classes at the same time. The counselor for the school had told me,"I don't think nursing is for you, you should look into another career." Felt so incompetent after hearing those words. I didn't know HOW to study, what to study, and I sure as heck didn't know what I was doing in clinicals. Everyday was a question mark to me.
When I failed, I was so depressed. Didn't know what I was going to do. Thought my life was officially over. All I had ever wanted to be was a nurse and felt so alone.
I sat down and told myself maybe going at a fast pace wasn't for me..I should start slow. So I did. I enrolled in a LPN program and it was a great program. It was a private school so yes I did pay massive $$ but the quality of education was great. I graduated with high honors and learned MORE in the LPN program of 1.5 years (graduated 12/2009) than the 1 semester of BSN program. I didn't stop there. I applied to a LPN-RN bridge program at a Community College. Once again, very hard, very strenuous but not at an impossible pace. Teachers explained what they expected...and this time I DID NOT read everything single page of each chapter...I recorded lectures, wrote out my own notes, and studied what the teacher emphasized on and that made a huge difference. Went through the bridge program for 1.5 years and now graduated with my RN (5/2012). Just took my NCLEX-RN and passed with 75 questions.
My point of posting this story is to inform others NOT TO GIVE UP...if this is your dream, you must go through it and you only live once. I love being a nurse as I love taking care of people. If this is your passion, keep going. Don't let one failure drag you down!
