Finding the Confidence to be a Nurse

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I completed an LPN program my Senior year of High School. I struggled through most of the program even with a lot of studying. I know a lot of that a LOT of that had to do with having no confidence. I didn't have any emotional support I home and still don't today.

When I graduated I got a 63 on the ATI. It took me five years to go back and get the 67% that is required because I just didnt have the motivation and confidence in myself. At this point I'm not sure if this is what 'm suppose to do. I've been a CNA for almost 5 years now, and I have mainly stuck with this kind of work. I do have a passion for taking care of the elderly.

I took my LPN Boards 2 days ago and failed. I know that I'm smart, but I also know there is a lot of information I need to review. I don't want to be a half-ass nurse but I'm really scared. It's so serious. You really have people's lives in your hands and nurses are judged so critically. The program I went through was good in ways, but also kind of crappy. There's so much I need to review. I'm scared of doing things like putting in an NG Tube, drawing blood, or giving an IM injection. I talked to the coordinator of the program who says two people had failed this year, and now I'm the third. I feel like such an idiot. Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree.

I want to know it all. I'm so afraid of being in emergency situations and looking like a fool. Following instead of leading. The thing is that im almost 24 years old now, which sound like 50 to me, and I just don't know how I could start all over and change careers again. I don't even know what would do. I know I can't survive off what I'm making now. I can't even afford to take the NCLEX over again right now.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

do a Kaplan review, practice the questions, re take nclex and PASS....you can do this :)

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Why don't you try taking the saunders 5th edition pre test(online) to see where you are at once you taken it it will give you a 30 day study plan I used this the day after I found out I failed(my first attempt)

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Specializes in Home Health; Hospice.

First of all, if your heart is in this career field, then don't give up. Find out WHY you don't have support, and do what you can to either remedy that situation, or find yourself another support system. You need someone to talk to and be there to push you, kick you back into play, and remind you that you are going to be an amazing nurse.

Then, focus on bettering your skills, gaining confidence in yourself and your skill set. Do what you need to do for you. Don't compare yourself to your classmates, each of you take your own journey thru school.

If you want it bad enough, you will find a way. If you don't want it bad enough, you will find an excuse. Do some soul searching. And 24 years old is NOT old, I graduated with people in their 40s and 50s. So get over all of that nonsense!

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I will look into the Saunders pre test. I haven't heard of that source until now. Thanks everyone.

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