Frustrated Pre Nursing student!!!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 3, 2014

Unfortunately something you're going to have to get used to is not being able to have anywhere near instant gratification. Those 8 week courses are great, but very intensive. They do make sense for some people though. In light of the fact that you don't have the option of attending short-term courses to get your prerequisites done, you'll have to attend standard term courses and just work through it. Nursing isn't a career field for those that have a low tolerance for frustration. To top it off, once you do get into a school, you'll have no other option but to attend the courses they want you to, when they want you to and typically there are no short-term courses in nursing unless the school chooses to teach the courses in a modular format, but even then you're still having to attend the full-length semester.

Do your best to get through everything and as soon as you're qualified to apply, do so.

verene, MSN · Oct 3, 2014

Pre-requisites are part of the path towards nursing school. You have already started on it! That is what I have to tell myself when I get frustrated with how many classes I have to take and how long it will take me to get through them all. I'm already learning. I'm already building skills that will hopefully help me down the line.

As for your job, it may just be an unhealthy work environment if the other staff is looking down on you, then again maybe not. I don't know from the amount of information in your post. If it is really horrible, look around for another job. As for pay... unfortinately all entry level jobs in health care are low pay. I try to look at my CNA position as being more of a paid internship rather than a "job" per se, because I am gaining valuable experience with out having to pay for that learning.

If you think applying to an LPN program will help your frustrations with the slow pace and low pay consider applying for one. However it is possible that by taking time to do an LPN program it may ake you longer to ultimately gain an RN license depending on the programs/schools you apply to after the LPN.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 3, 2014

There's a reason why those pre-reqs are required. There's a reason why you need time to absorb the material. How can you understand Med Surg or Patho if you don't know the underlying physiology?

I understand being frustrated waiting to get in. It feels like a long wait. But you NEED this time to get the necessary foundation to pass your nursing courses. Getting there "quickly" isn't doing you any favors later.

While it may seem like a quicker route in the short term to get your LPN, it will actually take you longer to do that and then get the RN.

You need to decide what's more important to you: short term satisfaction or long term success? That's a question only you can answer.

As far as nurses "looking down their noses at you". Prove them wrong. Be personable, friendly, go out of your way to be helpful and go above & beyond what's expected of you. In other words, kill 'em with kindness :)

lakmom12 · Oct 3, 2014

I feel your pain. I started working on my pre reqs in 2007. I'm finishing up the final four now. But the pay off is sooooo worth it because I'm starting the Sentara nursing program in January! Don't lose sight of your goal, just take a deep breath and keep telling yourself that you've got this!

LPN709 · Oct 3, 2014

Like the above posters said...getting your LPN first will take even longer. I had to take that road due to financial reasons. Even though I'm an LPN, I still have to take the required pre requisites for my school and program. So you probably would too. I know it's frustrating but keep going on the path your going and eventually you'll reach your goal. Good luck!

ALLEYEZONREE · Oct 10, 2014

You sound like me, which is why I went to LVN school first. The pre-reqs were much faster to complete (only A&P and Psychology) and plus, I wanted to see if Nursing really was for me. I did a 1 year LVN program and now I'm a newly licensed LVN. While completing some pre-reqs for my RN, I plan to work part-time and hopefully get into an RN school. I don't regret anything. I love Nursing and hope to go further in this career. Good luck to you!

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2014

Quit or don't quit. Do or do not. Life is actually fairly simple. You can complain about other people, work, money, life..all day long. In the end all that time you were complaining you could have been studying. Yes it is hard to become a nurse as it SHOULD be. It is a very serious career with life and death situations. You must understand that the requirements are not magically going to disappear. People who want to do it make it happen. What else can I say. When I did nursing ABSN I lived in literally the crappiest apartment on earth and ate one time a day. No tv..no nothing. just a desk and a mattress on the floor. I appreciate everyday now and the hard work I put in.

zzbxdo · Oct 11, 2014

Quit or don't quit. Do or do not. Life is actually fairly simple. You can complain about other people, work, money, life..all day long. In the end all that time you were complaining you could have been studying. Yes it is hard to become a nurse as it SHOULD be. It is a very serious career with life and death situations. You must understand that the requirements are not magically going to disappear. People who want to do it make it happen. What else can I say. When I did nursing ABSN I lived in literally the crappiest apartment on earth and ate one time a day. No tv..no nothing. just a desk and a mattress on the floor. I appreciate everyday now and the hard work I put in.

Strait to the point, as it should.

RescueNinjaKy · Oct 11, 2014

It is your choice but it is now just about 2015. Graduating and becoming a nurse in 2017/18, is normal. Nursing is difficult and it requires time, rushing and trying to finish in one years time is not going to help you right now or in the long run.

Many prerequisites are there for a reason, anatomy and physiology, psychology, microbiology, math, English are all subjects that you still see and need to be familiar with in nursing. This is to prepare you and to enrich your knowledge to become a nurse, which should give you something to look forward to.

It's a commitment, and it's either you're willing or not.

As for the lpn route, if you want to do that go ahead but do some research before making any rash decisions. While similar they have different scope of practice and have different pay rates. Also while it differs per area, you have to find out the employment opportunities for lpns, more and more lpns are being pushed to non acute settings. It is difficult for rns to find employment in hospitals already, and from what I've seen it's even harder for lpns.

GoodnessFlows · Oct 12, 2014

I think the battle of the journey is what makes this whole nursing thing an awesome experience. Just think how you will feel once you've accomplished your goal. If it was easy, everybody would do it. There is a reason why we have to walk through the fire, just like all of the other nurses before us. They made it to the other side, and now that I'm trying to get there, I respect them a ton.

We are on one income, and it is tough for our family. There are days that I want to say, "screw this" and then go out and find an admin job making a couple extra thousand a month for my family. We need the money, we have bills, I would love to shop,etc., however my husband is the one that reminds me why I do what I do. So, stay focused, keep your head in the game and your eyes on the prize. You are working to get some place really big and anybody that had to work years for something will tell you that determination and perseverance wins, always. Good luck!

HappyWife77, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2014

It will come, just breathe and chill out.

LPN is a great option if you want to do it first. That is the route I took, however I must tell you....I wish I would have pursued RN instead but hey its my journey and I am very blessed.

Try to learn to find some joy along the way of whatever your doing. Before you know it, it will be over with , so by all means enjoy the ride. :nurse: