I really want this...

MZEternalStudent · Jul 4, 2011

Although I do not have a small child any longer, when I first attempted nursing school (and I have been in the process for a loooooong time) my son was very small. I know what you are going through and how frustrating it is. I guess the best advice I can give to you is try to be gentle with yourself. My 2 year plan became a 10+ year plan and that was to get through an LPN program which I just graduated from. I did a multitude of other college courses in the interim, earned a bachelor's degree in an unrelated area (just to have one) and recently began an LPN to RN program. It is NOT easy to go through nursing school when you have small children, a family, work, etc. If you a re very rigid about getting it done in X amount of time you are setting yourself up for disappointment and frustration. You are gaining valuable experience as an LPN that will make your transition to an RN that much easier. Take a deep breath and remember you children a re only young once and school isn't going anywhere. Trust me. I was a much better student the second time around when I could really focus on school. Hope this helps.

allnurses Guide · Jul 5, 2011

I can really relate to this post! I've done and felt (not every factor there is the same but that doesn't matter) exactly what you are doing and feeling!

I was going to write a big, long flowery post but I think I will just write down a few things that ended up being true, for me.

If we're sort of at war with who we think we should be, vs who we are, and if you are feeling physically overwhelmed, filled with worry about how you will accomplish what you've set out for yourself to do based at least in part on your vision of what you see others doing, you don't enjoy anything because of a looming crunch of a test, or your daughter gets sick, or, or or etc .. you won't be able to succeed well at any of them or even have time to think and reflect or just relax and daydream with your child from time to time.

What happened to me when I based my schedule on what I thought other people did, I managed to show up at class, at work, etc but that was about it. I was constantly worried and stressed, my jaw hurt from clenching my teeth together unconsciously, and just the thought of not having enough clean clothes for the next day could cause a major meltdown and finally I just decided no more of that.

I had to finally say that I am happy for the people who can live at a breakneck speed and thrive - I was not one of them. I was miserable trying to be one of them. So I cut one night class out, was able to concentrate better on what I was doing, have some breathing room, fewer panic attacks and just generally a more pleasant person to be around.

You mentioned that all of this stress and turmoil has your grades suffering - not because you cannot keep up but because you don't have time to keep up.

The only way I would say not to find your own personal comfort zone as far as the pace of your goals would be if you are in dire financial straits. If that is the case, you will absolutely need to reach out to family, friends, look for any sort of support available to you, they are there.. you just have to go out and make contact with them. Churches, schools, state and county governments, nonprofit groups,etc can at least give you some help with childcare if you must do that.

Which brings me to MzEternal Student's post. I promise you will never regret any extra time you spend with your little girl. I used to lead mother and baby support groups so I know all are different as far as the balance of work and home - but I knew that when I realized how often stress was making me snap at my child I needed to make some changes or at least stop beating myself up over it!!

Anyway take what makes sense to you and leave the rest! Best wishes!!

bestallaround, ADN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jul 26, 2011

I encourage you to push through if you really believe the time is right. Pray about it constantly. I was the pregnant girl in LPN school. I had my first child three weeks before graduation. I went home on a Monday after clinicals, had him that night, missed Tuesday's clinical, missed class on Wednesday and Thursday. Luckily it was Memorial Day weekend and we had a four-day weekend off of school. I was back in class the following Tuesday and I never missed any assignments. I got right back into school to finish and do my RN. I cried alot and looking back I don't remember holding my son that much when he was that small. But I pressed on and prayed asking if I was doing the right thing....by January I found out I was pregnant again. I felt like that was a sign to cool it (I mean, honestly, I don't even remember having sex with my husband during that time, I was so exhausted). It is 9 years later and now I have 4 kids! I am glad I have been an LPN all this time. I work hard, I take every opportunity to learn and use my skills, I take any little leadership class or whatever my job offers and keep a portfolio of everything. I still have a strong desire to get my RN even though I feel more valuable as an LPN than any RN I've ever worked with. My youngest is 3 now, very close to school age. In two years I will get back into it. One thing I did was get a government job. They have awesome benefits and education opportunities. My job has a program that will give you your salary and pay for your school. Instead of reporting to work, school is considered your duty station and you only work when you're off of school. Look into jobs that will offer you something. You may feel like time is passing you by, but make the most of it, and pray for the right time to arrive.

nubianqu · Jul 27, 2011

Very good. I am new to this site, and I believe I will enjoy and have some good interactions with my fellow Nurses I too, am an LVN for 6yrs now, I am presently in an RN program on line, it is challenging but I am hanging in there, I could have stayed as an LVN and be proud of who I am as I have great respect for our profession, but I have chosen to put my self back in the saddle of furthering my education, as I feel I will be more beneficial to my patients, I can tell you that my assessment skills have sharpen, I have a different view of my patients, so I would encourage anyone who wants and is thinking about stepping out to pursue your RN degree , it is hard and tedious studying but it is worth it, You may feel down and wonder if you are making the right decisions, but just keep pressing on it is worth every penny. Blessings

bestallaround, ADN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jul 28, 2011

I love being an LPN. I'm good at it and I know I am respected by my RNs. I would be perfectly satisfied being an LPN for the remainder of my career. The only real reason I want to get my RN is for the money and the versatility. I have four kids and a mortgage. And I can't imagine being a 60 year old nurse pushing the cart on the nursing home floor. (Seeing as how retirement age keeps climbing and I'm only 31 now.) I want to retire at a desk. My feet and neck kill me at the end of the shift, as it is. But I'm in no rush to finish school. When the time is right and when I can dedicate more of my attention to it, I will go back to school.