Need Advice - Continue RN or drop to LPN Program

[Holly245]

If anybody has any advice I'd certainly appreciate it.

Ok here's my story. I'm 26, have a Bachelors Degree in Business Information Systems and went back to school for nursing about 3 years ago. I have all my prereqs done, and got accepted into the highly competitive RN 2 year degree program. The first few weeks into the program I felt totally lost. I came fresh out of business school with no healthcare experience at all, and clinicals and labs were so stressful I would make myself sick. So I talked to my advisor, who was also my lecture and lab prof. She said not everybody makes it in nursing and I should go get experience as a CNA. She also was very negative toward about 80% of students in the class... which made me definately feel stupid and brought what little confidence I had to zero. The thing was, I passed all the skills easily in lab, got A's and B's on all the tests, and got an A- for my final grade on the care plan portion. I ended up with a B in the class (probably 40% of the students failed) but did not return the next semester because I still did not feel up to par doing what we learned. I got my CNA license and worked at a nursing home for 6 months, but due to financial constraints and a bad work environment I pretty much gave up on that.

Now, I'm getting the itch to go back and finish. I really want to learn things from the ground up, and be proficient in all skills. I'm wondering if I should try to get back into the RN program, which I know is possible I've talked to admissions, or just start over and learn everything new in the LPN program. It seems like a waste of money because it will take twice as many credits to finally graduate from the RN program, but I don't want to feel hurried and incompetent like before. What do you think???

[Bound2cBSN]

First off, you need to really examine why you want to be a nurse and what you are willing to go through to graduate. For me, no amount of nastiness from a professor is going to run me off from fulfilling this dream.

Second, think about the spot you are taking in this "highly competitive" program. Being accepted and then dropping out is like taking the last slice of pie at a picnic and then leaving it. Lots of us on these boards would give our right arm to get accepted into a program. If you get another opportunity, please don't throw it away.

[caliotter3]

The LPN program won't be any better if you don't stick to it. You need to examine yourself and decide whether or not you are intending to give this all of your effort, or, whether it would be better to just find another line of work. You were doing well in the RN program and didn't have a good reason to leave in the first place. Are you sure that you want to be a nurse?

[Holly245]

Well I love helping people in times of need, and I'm very interested in the science and psychology behing healing. I've volunteered in the hospital for awhile and just love what nurses do, but I get so scared of doing something wrong. When we go over IV's in about 2 hours and are expected to know how to do it, then never get the chance to practice in clinicals... what happens when you're out on your own? I guess that was my main worry.

Thanks for your input.

[AliF]

Holly, I think you should just continue with the RN program. You were doing well in it, and confidence will come with practice. I think the LPN program is a fine choice, but if you know you want to be an RN, you're not doing yourself any favors. The LPN to RN programs I've seen are a full 3 semesters long, so you're just extending your journey.