too long to become a nurse

[Butterfries]

I just graduated LVN school and I feel I should be happy but I feel so depressed. I felt my time in nursing school was cheated and took way to long to complete. I have started this journey since even before high school and now I am almost in my thirties, I cant afford to pay for private school so I had to enter this long wait list. I went through school working full-time nights with two children, its taking me so long to take the NCLEX because I have to refresh on content I couldnt study on while in school (no time, couldn't retain it). I did get good grades though but I suck at these NCLEX questions. I am also an introvert person, couldn't stand the loud mouths in my class, but I wasn't stuck up just tired. I also felt sorry for my professors, I was really stubborn and always having a nervous breakdown during class. Didnt even go to graduation, didnt have the energy or motive to. But a lot of my residents always tell me I am the kindest person they ever met, some even wrote me a letter after they get discharged. Anybody else out there that feels miserable after nursing, especially parents who couldnt spend time with their children

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I, too, did not attend my former school's graduation ceremony. In my humble opinion, graduation ceremonies are designed more for the entertainment of the guests we've invited rather than the actual graduates.

I'm going to say this respectfully... your post focuses primarily on almost every single negative aspect of your journey:

1. It took too long to become a nurse.

2. You couldn't afford a private school.

3. You ended up on a waiting list.

4. You 'suck' at NCLEX-style questions.

5. It's taking too long to take NCLEX.

6. You couldn't stand your 'loud mouth' classmates.

7. You were always tired.

8. You didn't have the energy to attend graduation.

9. You couldn't spend time with your children.

10. You were really stubborn.

Reframe your thoughts and attempt to focus on the positive aspects of your journey into nursing. I admit I have some unproductive anger due to not getting my college career started sooner, but the negativity isn't helping anyone. Instill some positivity into your life. Change your thoughts.

Good luck to you!

[GuEsT78]

TheCommuter is right. Forget all the bumps on the road to become a nurse. Put that behind you. Focus on the future and becoming the best nurse you can be. Let the past be past.

Also—and this is important—take the time to find out what sort of nursing is best for you. Find work that fits your personality and your desire to spend time with your children. Keep trying until you find it.

One more thing. You might want to shorten that search by asking the professors who know you best what area of nursing they would recommend. They might even know places where you could apply.

[Nikki0727]

YES! I also tried to work through school and has a toddler at home..bills were piling up and shut offs were adding up and an eviction notice. Lowest time of my life. But I was going to school not just for me ..my son to. All the struggle was worth it be I can do a little extra for my son and spend as much time with him as I can.