Just wanted to say DON'T give UP! =)

nursemami4 · Jun 22, 2012

Thanks for the encouragement!! Can't wait to hear your passing of the NCLEX-RN!! Well deserved title!

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Jun 22, 2012

congrats!

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2012

People who haven't done online nursing classes have NO idea what they're like, and if they say they're the easy way out, they need to be junk-punched. I did a considerable amount of theory classes online--I worked fulltime while doing nursing school parttime with 4 kids needing my attention, including a nursing baby. Online classes were an incredible blessing to me and my family.

People think "oh, every test is an open book test!". Sure. You can think of it that way. Then factor in that the majority of them are timed. If you think you can look up every answer, you'll never finish the exam and fail it.

I do think clinicals are a very important part of the whole nursing cirrculum however. JMHO..

nursenora1 · Jun 22, 2012

Thanks for this post!! And I know you passed your boards !! Let us know the outcome.

nynursey_ · Jun 22, 2012

The thing is: all nursing programs are tough, whether it be LPN, RN, BSN, or MSN. It doesn't matter if your courses are done online, or whether they're done in a class, it's going to be difficult. And honestly, people measure difficulties differently. While you got to watch your kids play at the park, some of us spent hours in the library, and 10+ hour days at clinical struggling while getting barked at by patients and reamed by our instructors. So, for those of us who chose that path, it most certainly was difficult, and we look at the past year (I'm going into my second year of an ADN program now) and we just cry because we're in the middle: one more year of hell, and we just went through one whole year of torture.

I would love to do an online program where someone wasn't in my face telling me that I needed to buck up or get better at clinical skills. I'm sure it makes life a lot easier, in spite of the fact that the course work is just as difficiult!

At times you may get frustrated and discouraged whether you didn't do well on a practice exam, or failed a real exam, please don't give up on yourself! I took my NCLEX-RN today (won't know for 48hrs if I passed, which sucks) But I know I wouldn't have been here had I not kept perservering through this program!
I had to take months off for family stuff or personal stuff, but that was the great thing about EC! I stumbled and bumbled my way through the first few exams, then found my study path and zipped through a bunch. Got burnt out by the time I hit LS3 and failed it, not once but TWICE...took some time off, got back into the swing of things and then passed it with a B!
Many times I got frustrated when people didn't know what EC was, or made snide comments about how you couldnt be a 'real' nurse if you did it online. I just smiled and nodded and watch them struggle through clinicals and classes while i could sit at home or at the park with my kids and study!
Check out facebook and link up with others here that are going through the same thing you are. I met 4 other women and over this past 2yrs have become very close to them. We took a workshop together and all passed our CPNE around the same time.
Just remember you can do this, you got this, and you were made for this!

buckshot · Jun 22, 2012

Thanks for the encouragement! :) let us know how you did!!!

Devie06 · Jun 22, 2012

What is EC? How much does it cost? And where do you do Clinicals? And I hope you passed, good luck! :)

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Jun 23, 2012

People who haven't done online nursing classes have NO idea what they're like, and if they say they're the easy way out, they need to be junk-punched. I did a considerable amount of theory classes online--I worked fulltime while doing nursing school parttime with 4 kids needing my attention, including a nursing baby. Online classes were an incredible blessing to me and my family.
People think "oh, every test is an open book test!". Sure. You can think of it that way. Then factor in that the majority of them are timed. If you think you can look up every answer, you'll never finish the exam and fail it.

I took about half of my prereqs online. At my school, tests for online classes were taken on the main campus, in a designated testing room. It was open late during the week, and on weekends. The classes I took gave a week-long window for tests. You gave your ID to a proctor, who gave you an exam and answer book, then escorted you to a desk. It was an open room, with cameras and proctors. Tests were only open-book if the instructor wanted them to be; otherwise, nothing on your desk.

ShirlWiggity · Jun 23, 2012

God is GOOD. I just got finished praying then decided to log onto here at 1:42am. and i see this post and really bought tears to my eyes. I was gettin on to vent that I didnt pass an exam and then I see this!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I was getting discouraged because I didnt pass but Im going to keep on going and get my study habits down packed. CONGRAT to you!! Thanks again for this post!!!

TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2012

UPDATE: Passed my NCLEX, and license was issued 6/23, had four interviews the following week and was offered a Full time position at a local hospital exactly 11 days after getting my RN!

EC= Excelsior College, its a fully distance learning program for LPN's, Medics, Respiratory Therapist, and those who have finished more than 50% of their nursing program at a brick and mortar school (traditional college program) they are NLNAC accredited. The clinical portion consists of a 2.5 day hands on practical exam with MSN and DP prepared nurses following you around and checking you off, it's PASS or FAIL only, no room for mistakes you have to do it perfectly as a brand new "regular" ASN student who sat in a classroom for two years would know how to do it. I passed with no repeats on my patient care. It was STRESSFUL but worth it! One of the reason's I got this job was because one of the hiring managers was familiar with Excelsiors program and she drilled me on some assessment procedure questions. I used my skills learned through my college to tick them off and she nodded and smiled, she knew that my assessment processes were impeccable! (not saying other schools are not, but again, my school leaves NO room for error in order to pass, which is why I am so confident in my abilities)

Anyway, just wanted to update and tell each and everyone of you to keep on going! You were made for this and you can do anything you set your mind to!

TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2012

Oh and I started the BSN program...OMG is it tough, but it is amazing, only 11 courses to go to complete it, as they accepted all my other credits!!!! Will probably be done with it by December of next year at the latest!