In a rut with studying

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Specializes in Hospice.

OK, I'm sure I'm not the first student to encounter this... I seem to be stuck in a rut and not very enthusiastic about studying right now. I haven't lost sight of my goal - getting my nursing degree. Distance learning works great for me - schedule wise, learning style wise, very affordable. I'm not overwhelmed or burned out by the material. And this isn't "senioritis", I'm still probably 2 years from getting done. I'm not exactly sure what my problem is. Regardless of what my problem is, I would love to know how others got over their "hump".

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Are you an Excelsior student? I tried distance classes at my local community college first, did good, and finished general ed, now studying for NC1. I feel your "rut" pain, cause I was just there. What got me out of my rut is....my husband said I was as bad as the kids...going to take 7 years for a 4 year degree...I scheduled my test, paying that money and having a date is a BIG motivator....I know have a concrete date, paid and am studying...map out a calander for your self.....plan on studyin in small bits if that helps...sometimes I take breaks...study for 30min-1hr....break for 10 minutes or watch 30 min of tv...then back at it....hope this helps. :)

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Just wanted to encourage both of you guys to KEEP going! I finished the Excelsior program in December. I'm now a GN (NCLEX on 2/11) at a Level II/III NICU and it is SO much fun. If I had known how good life could be, I would have pushed through the nursing concepts exams and CPNE long ago. Trust me - bite the bullet now, work hard, learn your stuff... the rewards will be so worth it.

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I've been going through the same thing recently.....two papers, one care plan, two prep forms, and three tests in one week!! So I can definatley relate. My best advice is to stay motivated and TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME!!! I tried to look at the whole semester and got completely overwhelmed. It will all be worth it in the end! Lindsey

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Do whatever it takes to get yourself out of your rut or you'll regret it!

I started, stopped, and started again the EC ADN program for over 4 years before I finally graduated and I deeply regret it now.

I used any personal distraction in my life that I could as an excuse to stop for now and start again later.

While dragging my feet through the EC RN program, I worked as an LPN/LVN and gained a lot of valuable experience over the years.

I received no credit for any of that LPN experience as a new RN. I was paid the same as a new grad RN who had nothing more than working at The Gap on her resume. It was very insulting.

A very wise nurse forewarned me of this, but it just didn't sink in to my thick skull at that time. She told me that it was costing me at least $10,000 every year that went by that I didn't finish the program and was still working as an LPN.

Some hospitals do give credit for LPN experience but many do not.

Don't waste your time dragging your feet through the RN program only to find yourself at the bottom of the pay scale upon graduation, receiving zero recognition for your prior valuable experience simply because it wasn't "RN" experience.

Start imagining yourself in a job that is currently off-limits to you because you aren't an RN right now. That's what I did to get motivated.

I could have gotten out of med/surg hell much sooner had I gotten my act together earlier on.

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