I desperately need some advice for my mother because I do not know what is going on or how to solve this huge pickle she's in. She's been in school now for 4 years and she broke down crying today when I asked what is going on and why exactly this is taking so long. It made me so sad and I feel helpless. She was laid off from her job in 2006 (I think) and decided she wanted to completely switch careers and go for her RN. She was a computer programer. She graduated some 30 years ago from Indiana University with a Bachelor's in marketing.
First she had to take a year of pre-reqs, and then she got into the 2 year RN program at a community college in MN, Hennepin Technical College, I believe...After going to school for 1 year she failed out of her clinicals. It's my understanding she was doing great in all of the course work but for one reason or another they failed her out of clinicals. This meant she could reapply to the same school (they would credit her with 6 mon) and she would go another 1.5 years; however, they denied her when she applied again. She said she could have applied to other RN schools but then it would be the whole 2 years over again.
One of her advisers reccomended she apply for the LPN year long program (which makes me sad, because my mom is a very smart competent woman, and I can't really see her settling for LPN when she had her hopes set on RN) So, although it's not what she wanted she decided to do the 1 yr LPN. Turns out there were some pre-reqs for that too. So that took up more time. Now, finally she is doing the LPN program but she has to do it part time because she has 3 kids, and my dad does not make enough money at his job for her not to work (she has worked as a CNA at a nursing home for the past year or so, late shift).
She says it will be 2 more years before she can get her LPN. My family just filed for bankruptcy. I don't see how she can keep going to school for 2 more years with this financial situation. An LPN salary really isn't even close to what she was making as a computer programmer. I feel my mom doesn't have sufficient advice and help at school. I am also worried about job security after she earns her degree...she'll be 57....do you think she'll attain a job easily? I'm so worried about her. Age discrimination has been in the back of my mind since she began school. She is going through so much hard work and I want to know that she'll actually have a secure job.
Also I guess my main question is, are there any part time RN schools? Couldn't she just apply to a different community college for the RN program? If it's already going to take 2 more years for LPN why not go RN? Especially when you're as smart as my mom :) I just feel so bad for her, she is trying so hard and I want her to feel accomplished with her degree. I feel like even when she earns her LPN she will not be happy with it and will see it as what someone else forced her to do, my failing her in clinicals, reccomending it, etc. I'm trying to think of any way she could still go RN...without going full time...because it's just not possible money wise
Also, sorry this is a novel. Just a tidbit about me-I'm going to be a senior at St. Olaf College in MN next year majoring in Biology, pre-med. I just took the mcat and I'm getting ready to start applying for medical schools. hurray. lol.
Oh my gosh! I could be your mom! I'm 59 and in an intense combined degree program for a BSN. For the last six months I have thought I was losing my mind. The stress is incredible. I empathize so much with your mom.
Anyone in nursing school is feeling pressure and self-doubt. When you are an older person, it is easy to start thinking negatively about your age when things get tough. (And things are always tough!)
The thing I do is remind myself that I am in "an artificial environment." Sometimes I feel like a lab animal in a cage. I just remind myself that I have gone through a lot to get into this program. (Taking pre-reqs, GRE's, CPR, submitting to drug screening and background checks, etc. You all know the drill. And at every last point in the process somebody has their hand out. No, not in support, but to ask you for money.)
I deluded myself into thinking that once I started the program (getting accepted was hard enough) that my life would be wonderful. Well ha, ha, ha. I had a rude awakening.
Sometimes you just have to put one foot in front of the other and say "I said I was going to do this. I will do this. I will be a great nurse. I will make a difference in people's lives."
I've hit my bottom numerous times, but I'm finally understanding what my issues are. At age 59 you can still change and grow but it isn't easy. It's worth the battle.
Self confidence is the key. You just have to brainwash yourself. Block negative thoughts. Stay away from negative people. If you believe in yourself you can do anything. It stinks when you lose that sense of competence and when you feel like a failure.
I hope your Mom finds comfort and courage. She's doing something most people could not do. I believe in her!
I wonder why your Mom failed clinically. The possibilities are endless and I won't speculate. However, in my 40+ years (off and on) as a nursing instructor, I've been aware of a few individuals who we described, for want of better terminology, as "not having their hands connected to their brains" -- people who can learn all of the concepts to be a wonderful nurse but who can't get even competent at the most basic skills. This is always sad -- but the students just can't progress in the clinical portions of the curriculum. We try to encourage them to try again if they really want to but to also consider other aspects of health care or other people services where they might blossom with their intellectual and people skills without having to figure out how to put a B/P cuff on or operate an IV pump. Just a thought. Also, most programs only readmit students in any class beyond the first term on a "space available" basis. Is there any chance she was not allowed to re-enter the ADN program for that reason?
Best wishes to her. I admire her intelligence and persistence. I hope she finds her niche somewhere that is exactly right for her and where she enjoys going to work each day.
Our local community college refers nursing students who fail RN to go the LPN route before they can get readmitted as well. Contrary to popular belief, LPN is an extremely difficult program and much more hands on (clinical time is 2/3, classroom is 1/3); once they've successfully completed the LPN course, the school feels that the student will have gained the clinical experience and knowledge base they need to excel in their RN program. Two years is a very long time to complete that program, though. Once she does, she can do a LPN to RN bridge program which is about a year, then she will have her RN.
Like another poster said, there are Accelerated BSN programs where if you already have a bachelors you can get your BSN in about 15 months (with the pre-req's completed). I believe most of those are full-time programs. She actually has quite a few options.
Nursing school is a frustrating and difficult time no matter what the circumstances are. Best of luck to your family!
just an FYI obtaining your LPN isn't for someone less intellegent. LPN is hard so I wouldn't say "just her LPN" that is one of my biggest pet peeves!
THIS. The waiting lists for nursing programs in my area (NY Metro) can be years long. I chose to go the LPN route first so that I could bridge into an RN or BSN program more easily. I take offense when you say things about not wanting your mother to enroll in the LPN program because she is "too smart" for it, that is ridiculous. The people I graduated with in my LPN program are extremely intelligent people and great nurses.
Well the thing about an LPN salary is that its higher than a CNA salary! Heck I am getting paid more than my friend who is an RN. So there!
With that being said, you may feel bad for your mother and wonder where her priorities are regarding your family's financial situation. I mean given the obvious time she seems to have wasted along the nursing path to still just be a CNA her career path switch from a higher paying computer programming position to a perpetual nursing student/CNA seems rather odd. Especially since it paid much better.
But its her life and as frustrating as that path has been only she can take the steps to get to where she wants to be but you can't make the decision for her.
There are many options and pathways to take toward nursing and sometimes nursing isn't for everyone regardless of aspirations.
She needs to take a step back and evaluate the situation for what it is and what is important to her family's needs at this time.
We can offer support but ultimately there are no quick answers or solutions to get her to RN faster at this point given all the other factors in her life.
Maybe your Mom is in the wrong schools for her. I find it very hard to be a 59 year old nursing student - not because of the material, but because the "younger generation" is so different.
Don't get me wrong, I understand that each generation is different. I have neices the about the same age as my classmates and I find the 20 and 30 somethings difficult to comprehend. Even my own neices, lovely as they are, sometimes give me the slide eye or act as if they are barely tolerating me. I was their age once, and I completely understand. I sure as heck wouldn't be hanging around a 59 year old when I was in my 20's.
I'm going through my own version of what your Mom is going through. I am finding people I can talk to who are helping me work through my issues. Sometimes there is something inside of me that holds me back from success.
My 84 year old mother (who still works!) told me "It's not for the younger students to get along with you, it's YOUR job to get along with them."
I empathise with your mom. For me, it is taking time to see what my own problems are and what I need to "fix" inside myself. It's a battle, but I'm making progress.
My thoughts and prayers are with your Mom and all of you. She will work it out.
"settle for LPN"......sorry...but i find that hard to swallow.....i am 48,went to get my LPN at 45..it took a year and a whole lot of time and effort!...it is not an easy task...something i am very proud of....i am working as a LPN and while working have taken my pre-reqs and now co-regs toward my RN......i have not applied to RN school as of yet as I want to make sure I am accepted with the best possible GPA from pre and co reqs.....
I feel for your mom as i can only imagine what she is going thru....yes,2 yrs is long for LPN so maybe not the right school for her.....but for future reference.....we DO NOT just settle to be an LPN.....
being lpn is no joke . It is the same topic that one would learn in rn school except not being too much detailed . The rest is same.Nursing is same.It is good that you are concerned about your mother. 2 year is too much for an lpn . Can't she try again in a community college again to get her rn.I undertstand nursing is hard and they make it hard. I feel for your mom. If she be an lpn, she can always bridge it to rn in one year.
There is a lot of wisdom on this thread. Maybe your mom should become an LPN and get clinical experience and work her way up the line to RN etc.
Just get your foot in the door and the rest will follow. I have a lot more respect for the RN's and LPN's I see on the floors than the "degree students." I'm going for by BSN (at age 59) and I think a lot of it is a crock.
Once your mom gets a job at a hospital doing something, her self esteem will go up and them there will be nothing she can't do. Sometimes I think the system is set up to torture the students. My self esteem was in the toilet (or bed pan) until a few weeks ago when I sought an alternate route to where I wanted to go.
With all due respect to young people (and I realize they face their own problems) being a 59 women amongst twenty and thirty something students is not easy.
Ayala
79 Posts
Oh my gosh! I could be your mom! I'm 59 and in an intense combined degree program for a BSN. For the last six months I have thought I was losing my mind. The stress is incredible. I empathize so much with your mom.
Anyone in nursing school is feeling pressure and self-doubt. When you are an older person, it is easy to start thinking negatively about your age when things get tough. (And things are always tough!)
The thing I do is remind myself that I am in "an artificial environment." Sometimes I feel like a lab animal in a cage. I just remind myself that I have gone through a lot to get into this program. (Taking pre-reqs, GRE's, CPR, submitting to drug screening and background checks, etc. You all know the drill. And at every last point in the process somebody has their hand out. No, not in support, but to ask you for money.)
I deluded myself into thinking that once I started the program (getting accepted was hard enough) that my life would be wonderful. Well ha, ha, ha. I had a rude awakening.
Sometimes you just have to put one foot in front of the other and say "I said I was going to do this. I will do this. I will be a great nurse. I will make a difference in people's lives."
I've hit my bottom numerous times, but I'm finally understanding what my issues are. At age 59 you can still change and grow but it isn't easy. It's worth the battle.
Self confidence is the key. You just have to brainwash yourself. Block negative thoughts. Stay away from negative people. If you believe in yourself you can do anything. It stinks when you lose that sense of competence and when you feel like a failure.
I hope your Mom finds comfort and courage. She's doing something most people could not do. I believe in her!
Sorry for the ramble, but oh, do I identify!