Feeling discouraged, could use some guidance

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Hey everyone :)

So, I've been an LPN for 11 years. I really loved it, up until I moved to FL. Down here, LPNshave much less autonomy, and frankly I've felt like I'm not even a nurse down here. It bothered me so much, I finally bit the bullet and applied to the bridge program, and got in! I was so excited and planned my life around this program.

Well, fast-forward to now, I was feeling very overwhelmed with the program (I'm working on my Bachelors of Healthcare Administration full time as well), kids, and financial strains. A girl in my class was feeling the same. We had a big heart to heart and decided we would withdraw from the program and do Excelsior together since it was set up in a way that would make working/kids/school possible. I was nervous, but I did it - I withdrew.

The next day I woke up feeling like I made the worst mistake ever, she said she did as well, so she went back to the program. I haven't gone back because based on our finances, we would be taking a huge risk financially if I went back. I'm devastated right now and feeling incredibly alone.

I'm having a hard time deciding what to do next. My only options left now are Excelsior which will take 2 years for the bridge program due to the wait time for CPNE, give up trying for my RN and try to find a niche as an LPN that pays decent, or try to find an area with my Bachelors to work in.

I've got my school friend encouraging me to do Excelsior and my husband adamantly trying to get me to go back to the program I withdrew from, and I'm just sitting here in the middle fighting back tears, not knowing which direction to turn.

So, after all of that (sorry I just heart dumped all over you guys), my actual questions are:

- What areas can an LPN find an niche in when they've spent their whole career doing a little bit of everything?

- Is waiting 2 years for the Excelsior program really that bad? It feels that way because with the program I quit, I would've been done this December.

- What in the WORLD can I do with this Bachelors of Healthcare Administration? I originally wanted it to make myself more marketable and as a stepping stone to NP, but without the RN, I obviously can't go NP. I've done research and it seems like all the jobs geared towards this degree require years of specialized experience.

I have spent YEARS and thousands of dollars dedicating myself to this field, but I've obviously gone about it all wrong and now I just don't know what to do. I feel like I'm stuck in mud and just can't climb out.

I know I'm the only one who can choose what's right for me, but I figured some unbiased perspectives would be incredibly helpful.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Trach Care, Diabetes.

Wow. We have similar situations. I am from Louisiana. I moved to Jacksonville, FL on a whim in 2003. I finished PN school in 2007 and I felt trapped there because our condo we owned in a community of 100 plus condos all had a defect that devalued the price we paid 129k to a mere 40k. I felt stuck so I too enrolled in [COLOR=#000000]Excelsior and then realized it was something that had no deadlines, consequences for completing course work. So in short my bridge to RN is paid off, but I did not really do any of the classes because I need structure! I would have to believe in Florida you would have many opportunities to enhance and preserve your nursing skills! When I was in FL (left in 2008, homesick, foreclosed on worthless condo) the job market was great, I know not so great now. But you do have that bachelors and I think you could easily find a position as an ADON and other management positions. Get your resume together (I hired someone to make mine cause that is not my thing) and send it out to positions that you would like. Please don't be down on yourself. You are an accomplished, knowledgeable nurse. You just have to start putting yourself out there and you will get some bites on your resume. My ADON has been an LPN for a mere 2 years and makes more than the RN's that work at the same facility. Don't lose hope. [/COLOR]

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Thanks for the encouragement :)

I ended up having a fantastic employment opportunity fall into my lap yesterday, which is great. I was hired on the spot and am very excited about the possibilities.

I'm still feeling terrible about the situation, but I'm determined to keep going, even after making such a dumb choice. I'll get there eventually, I think!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Trach Care, Diabetes.

Glad you got a new job opportunity! Congratulations!!

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