Need advise/reassurance.....feeling overwhelmed and down....

[simplysimple_5]

Hello,

I am looking for some advise or reassurance. I am in the process of starting at EC (just waiting for my transcripts to be evaluated and accepted).

I live in Illinois, one of states that does not accept EC (until 2 yrs of working in another state or Fed. facility), and I am feeling completely stressed and unsure. I was in a ADN nursing program and was 10 weeks away from graduation when I withdrew from my class...I was more like told to....I had an instructor who made racial slurs and had a personality conflict with. It was such a horrific experience!!

She threatened to fail me if I didn't withdraw and retake her course, so I tried to first go to the Dean and others to work things out until I realized that I didn't want to take the chance of failing and so I withdrew like she told me to. In writing she said that I should re-take her class....but when I tried to re-enter, I was denied....twice! Even after having a lawyer friend call and write letters, it still got nowhere.

So this was in January, and since then I have been looking into transferring into another program. I found a college that will accept most of my nursing credits, but I would have to take 2 other prereqs, and the TEAS test (my other college only required the NET) before even being accepted....so total, I wouldn't graduate for at least another year....on top of that, the college is 1 hour away and all the clinicals (that I would go to for 6 months) is about a 3 hour drive!!

I have 3 young children and my husband works 2nd shift, making it complicated/near impossible to find a sitter for a few hours in the afternoon. So all this just seems near impossible. It would be unbelievably difficult to do this route!

So my other option, is EC. I am worried about being able to complete it all.....mainly the FCC and CPNE! And then I would face an even bigger dilemma, of my state not allowing me licensure. So then I would either have to drive to a nearby border state, or try to find a VA or correctional job through the government. I don't mind working at a VA for 2 years and then being able to work at a closer hospital, but I just don't want to be unemployed for a year still looking.....

I'm so sorry for this being such a long thread, but I am really confused and overwhelmed! Just wondering what someone elses thoughts are. Can/should I do the EC route?

Thanks in advance!! And thanks for taking the time to read this! :)

Steph in Illinois

[JulesRN10]

i am so sorry that you have had to fight so hard to get this far!! how far are you from st. louis? would working there be an option after you get licensed? and, have you considered some of the other places, like indiana state university...that program is gaining popularity around here (i live in central missouri). i just started with excelsior, getting ready to take my first exam...it was a big leap, but so far, i have found a huge amount of encouragement here on allnurses as well as from the school itself. just don't give up--remember, that which does not kill us makes us stronger...and if you're hard headed like me, it would make me so proud to walk past the teacher that gave you such grief and say "see...you did not stop me!!!" good luck!! you can do this!!

[simplysimple_5]

Thank you sooo much!! It means so much to hear that I CAN do this! :) It's hard after you've been beaten down, you start to lose all confidence in yourself. Thanks sooo much for the kind words!

Good luck with NC1!!! I know you will do GREAT!!

[JulesRN10]

i know exactly where you're coming from with teachers...i too had an "experience" with one, but i managed (somehow) to graduate...my most proud moment was during pinning, when she had to pin me and give me a hug on stage in front of students/families...the look on her face in the pic is priceless! she was pained, to say the least! but, all said, i proved to myself among others that i can do whatever i set my mind to doing...no one will stand in my way! so, take that energy and apply it, show them exactly what you're made of! and in the end, you will be realizing your dreams!!! keep your chin up!