Need some encouragment...

[Kylea]

Hello everyone. So, brief rundown. I've been trying to finish ANY LPN-RN program since I received my license in 2005. I changed programs, then moved to a different state. Then we moved again. I am now facing the reality that we are in fact going to move back to California in the semi-near future and cannot complete Excelsior's program. Back to square one. I am SO tired of trying and not getting into a program that I can make stick. I feel like I have tried so hard and given up so much time with my family and I am still not anywhere NEAR getting that degree. We want to have a family of our own, and I am so stressed out about that and work, and school. I have the opportunity to apply for a program where I work; it's actually a really good program. They pay tuition/books and your salary. You don't work while you go to school. After the program is done, you have a time commitment to the hospital. Sounds great, but I don't LOVE the hospital system I am in. Once I do that program, I am locked in; I have to go where ever in their system that they need an RN. I would be fine with that if it weren't for the fact that this particular hospital has a HUGE psychiatric population....something I don't ever want to do. I cannot move to a different state while I am in school, so we couldn't move until after the program was done. I can move to a different hospital in the system once I am done with school though. I guess I am just frustrated. If I do this program, I have to have worked here for at least a year. That will be in February. I can apply then, but it will be for the Fall semester since the Spring semester will be starting before I have reached my one year. So another year will go by before I get even an associate's degree.

I just don't know that I want to have to owe my hospital anything when I am done with school. Part of me knows it's not forever, but part of me cringes anyway. I don't like the idea of someone telling me where I can and cannot work. I don't want to wait anymore. I know that sounds bad; people all over the country have waited even longer than I have. It's just that it's that time in life for me. I feel like if we wait any longer to have kids we will be running into potential issues. I was supposed to have my degree by now.

ARGH! I don't know anymore. I am so discouraged and frustrated. With myself and this whole problem of waiting lists, alternate pre-req requirements, petitioning processes.

If you've read all of this, thanks. I just need some encouragement. I know I can do it. It's just a matter of getting it done.

[KEYMONNEE]

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY AND KEEP ON PRAYING...:wink2: :wink2: :wink2:

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Kylea, allow an old woman to convey some perspective.

I am more than twice your age, and WAS twice your age when I enrolled in nursing school.

You are very young. You WILL accomplish this, but you don't have to do it NOW. You can allow things to stabilize a bit, figure out where you're living, and then determine what to do.

CA does license EC grads on a case-by-case basis, and there's always the VA.

But rela until the holidays are over. You don't have any decisions that need to be made now. The earliest you can do anything is February, and you can't start anywhere until fall.

Calm. Down. Breathe. Enjoy the holidays with your husband and children and BREATHE.

:)

[Kylea]

CA does license EC grads on a case-by-case basis, and there's always the VA.

I called and talked to the CA board of nursing yesterday and verified that I cannot transfer the education. I know the reason for this is the lack of clinical hours with excelsior. I asked if I could do an intern position to make up the hours, and he said no. The hours have to be concurrent with the theory.

You are correct about the VA always being an option. My only reason for not wanting to limit myself is trauma. I fell in love with trauma at my first hospital in CA and the VA is not a truama center.

Thank you so much for helping me get my persective straight. I just have times when I need someone other than my husband to tell me that I can and will do this, ya know?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Thank you so much for helping me get my persective straight. I just have times when I need someone other than my husband to tell me that I can and will do this, ya know?

You're welcome.

And you really will.

:)

[Kylea]

Just a quick update for those interested :) I did a lot of soul searching after reading the posts from everyone and talking to my husband. In the end, it comes down to what works best for us as a family. I know how I feel when I get stressed out at work when I am taking one class...I can't imagine how mean I would be trying to do full time and work. I will be applying for the program through my work and hopefully will be accepted. As someone pointed out, it's only a three year commitment. And I won't owe anything for the degree after that. Thanks for the encouragement.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Good for you, Kylea! Sounds like a great decision for you & your family. Your DH sounds like a pretty smart guy.