Need some advice, suggestions, encouragement, warning.....

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I posted this a a reply to a relevant thread, but then decided to also post it as a new thread, in hopes of getting more advice. Please read below and give me some advice if you can.

Hi, I know this thread is old and the original poster is probably studying hard to make sure she doesn't fail out of LPN.

I wanted to reply to this post because I read some good advice, and I'm hoping the same people who replied before might help me out a little.

I graduated High School in 1994, went to college for a semester and then dropped out because I wasn't sure what I wanted to major in. A few years later, after managing a hair salon, decided I wanted to be a hair stylist, so I went to school and I have been doing hair for 10 years.

I had my beautiful daughter a year and a half ago and decided to stay home and raise her because it wouldn't have been worth me working just to pay someone to care for her.

Now I have decided to go back to school for a more stable and flexible career. So, I figured Nursing would be the perfect field. I like to take care of people, I am used to dealing with all kinds from working in a salon all these years, and I am fascinated by the human body and how it works.

My HUGE problem, which I hope some of you can help me out with, is that I am scared out of my mind of going back to school. I have way too many things going against me. I am my daughter's sole caregiver, my husband works as a truck driver and is gone most of the time for weeks and comes home for a day or two in between, I have not been in school in about 15 years, my memory is shot, I do not remember any of the Math or Science from HS, I was never the type to study for hours (I just had a good memory, which now is completely gone), when I was in HS I hated Biology, Chemistry, Science..etc., ....

So now I ask you .... does anybody think I can make it through the LPN program at Central?

On the positive side, I am very determined to make it, I am an adult now and am aware of the importance of having a career, I do like the medical field even though I am not a big fan of Biology and the others, I know it will be hard and am prepared to work hard, I was a good student back then, I am a fairly smart person, I speak Romanian, which will help me with the medical terms because of the Latin base....but, my fear is that I will not have enough time and energy to do all the studying and homework/papers. I will have to put my daughter in daycare while I am at school, but then I will have to pick her up, care for her all day, cook, clean, grocery shop, and find time to take her out of the house somewhere. By the time I put her to bed at night and get ready to study I will be exhausted.

I originally had decided to go for RN, but quickly decided against it because I am afraid I will not make it. I figured with LPN it will be a little bit easier, I will skip all the pre-reqs that RN requires, I will see if I can make it through, and then decide if I can handle going for the RN. Do credits from CSPN transfer to other schools if I were to continue on for RN?

Anyone have any suggestions, opinions, warnings...etc?

I really appreciate you taking the time to help me make my decision.

Thank you in advance,

RoxanneBB

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Specializes in Flight RN, Trauma1 CVICU STICU MICU CCU.

most nursing schools say that you should only work 20 hours per week during school. You kind of contradicted yourself by saying that you never read, but that you were a good student. You will HAVE to read. Don't worry so much about the math, nursing math is very easy. Chemistry is involved, but i'm not sure to what extent LPNs learn about chemistry. I went to RN school, so i don't know if they teach you acid/base buffer system stuff. You will need to know at least a little about microbiology, but even at the RN level, the pre-requisite is only the "intro to microbiology." Better plan on being able to study while caring for your child because if you don't have more help, that is what you will be doing. Sounds pretty much like you are used to being a single parent. That means you have guts! I know you are married, but it sounds like your husband isn't around to help at the house very often. Do you have any family that can help you with the childcare? My advice is study hard, if you don't have a great memory at least make sure you understand all of the concepts that are presented to you. You can do this!

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Thank you for your advice. In regards to contradicting myself, I didn't really. I just meant that when I was in school a lifetime ago, I was not the type to sit and study for hours like others did. I just read over my notes(I used to take excellent notes in class) and read quickly the required reading and I was able to ace tests. Now I know it will not work that way. I will have to actually put in the time and effort, which I am willing to do, I'm just scared of how hard it will be between caring for my daughter, doing the house chores, and studying.

My mother works full time, she's diabetic and has problems with her legs, so when she's home from work she is too tired to help me and on weekends I can't expect her to take over the childcare because she needs to rest from the week, but I will have to ask her to help as much as she possibly can. It will have to be a group effort if I'm gonna do something that's going to better our lives.

Thanks again for the encouragement, I will just have to look at it as something I have to succeed in no matter what. There is no other choice.

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Roxanne - I responded to you on the other thread.

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Specializes in Psych/med surg.

I did awful in science when I was in high school. I am older than you and I just finished spring quarter with A's in both biology and chemistry. I never took chemistry before and I found it to be rather easy especially the math. Read your textbook every minute you get even when you are watching your child. Also study after your child goes to bed. I have an iphone and I put all my notes in there so I could review them when I was out. If you don't have an iphone or itouch then put them on index cards so you can carry them with you. Review your notes at the playground, standing in line, waiting for your meal at a restaurant. You can do it. Good luck.

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Thank you msteeleart. I appreciate your encouragement. I will deff. take your advice. I cannot afford an iphone or that type of device, but I will have to bring my notes/books everywhere I go. It will have to be a bit of a boring year for my daughter, cause I won't be able to take her everywhere like I do now, but it will be a sacrifice the whole family will have to take part in.

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I cheer you up RoxanneBB!!! I truely believe that you can deffinitely do it. When you start reviewing your text books after a long time, it's sure to be rough at first but once, after a while, you get used to it, you'll be addicted and all way smoothy. You CAN do it!!!

Good luck for you and your children,

Kattika

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Thanks Kattica. I do realize that the more I look at the review books, the more I remember and I'm getting more comfortable with the whole idea. I'm starting to believe I will be fine. I'm not a quitter.

I did decide to postpone starting till March next year so I can slowly prepare for the transition and get my daughter gradually used to going to daycare and being away from me for that long.

Wish me luck. :)

Roxanne

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Specializes in surgery.

Hi Roxanne,

I am romanian too, and I read your message!

Honestly I think you can make it if you are good in English! And you are! :yeah:

I attended the LPN program at distance! You can do the same.

If you want we can talk more on email!:typing

Georgela

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Hi Roxanne,

I am romanian too, and I read your message!

Honestly I think you can make it if you are good in English! And you are! :yeah:

I attended the LPN program at distance! You can do the same.

If you want we can talk more on email!:typing

Georgela

Hi, thanks for writing. I would love to talk to you some more about this. Here is my e-mail: [email protected]. I hope to hear from you. I have so many questions. LOL

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