Need a little encouragement...

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Hello all!

I've been an LPN now for three years and I'm working on some general studies courses to get through an ASN program. I've worked nights for the last year and I'm finally starting to get in a good groove.

My problem now is that I keep going back and forth because I'm scared of school. Haha. Sounds dumb, right?

Here's the deal. I worked full time through the LPN program and was able to do very well. I about lost my mind and had no time for anything, but I made it. Going back for my RN is going to be about the same...I can't really afford to drop any hours at work, so I'll be working full time again. And that scares me.

I truly want my RN license, very badly, but I'm actually scared to try to do this again. I remember how hard it was and I worry whether I'll be able to handle it again.

I do have a very supportive fiancé and family, so that helps. I guess I just need some encouragement to get myself in that state of mind again.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has any wise words! :)

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Specializes in hospice.

Do you have any kids? Because if you don't, then get school done NOW before you have them. I love my crumb crunchers but they do make it a lot harder, and mine are old enough to be fairly self sufficient. Can't imagine it with really little ones.

If you already have kids, well....it's not going to get any easier so just buckle down and get it done. Or decide to stay a LPN for now and stop torturing yourself about if. That's a valid choice too.

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Luckily I don't have any kids and don't plan on them for at least a little while. I do want at least an ASN before the kids happen.

I know I just need to get it done but the stress is what trips me up. In the end I know I'll never stop learning and wanting to further my knowledge and advance my career. There's too much in the field that I want to experience and sadly being an LPN is pretty limiting.

Guess I just need to pull my head out of my behind and get it going. Haha.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I worked a 'concentrated weekend' schedule while I was pursuing my BSN.... 16 hours on both Sat & Sun... total of 32 hours per week which was considered full time so I received full benefits. I did this for 24 months. It allowed me to focus on school work Mon-Fri, so it worked well for me. Maybe you could find this type of arrangement.

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Specializes in Telemetry/Stepdown, Government Nursing.

You can do it! Set your mind and keep it set! I am in the same boat with four kids and a full time job. If I can do it, you can! When I get discouraged, I think of all the stupid RNs I've had to work under in my time as an LPN. Keep going!

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Lol thank you both for your words of encouragement. :)

I'm not sure what I'll be able to do for my schedule but we have a nurse now in the RN program and they're really working with her. So who knows.

But again, thank you. :) I'm feeling better already.

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I'm not sure what is available in your area but I am registered in an online program for my ADN, it will take 2 years because I didn't have the pre-req's out of the way but I am able to work my full-time job while studying. hope this idea helps.

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Thank you very much for the input, but I am actually planning on going to my local community college. They have a nights/weekends ADN program which is going to fit my schedule the best as I work third shift.

Online classes are sometimes bad for me because I have a tendency to get myself behind, and I couldn't afford to do that in a nursing program.

But again, thank you for the idea. :) I'm thinking once I hit a time for my BSN I'll be looking for something online.

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You can do it! Set your mind and keep it set! I am in the same boat with four kids and a full time job. If I can do it, you can! When I get discouraged, I think of all the stupid RNs I've had to work under in my time as an LPN. Keep going!

I did it with 4 kids and working full time too. Graduated December 2012, passed NCLEX February 4, 2013 and started working on a busy medical floor that March, where I currently am today.

Yes it can be done! :)

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Btw...I did the nights and weekends route too...worked out wonderfully!

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Thank you. :) I'm thinking that's the best.

My boyfriend and I were discussing it and he's a little bummed. His parents live like 2 hours away and with clinicals one weekend and working the other, he's upset I won't get the monthly visits with him and he'll have to go by himself. But that's far enough away to not worry about just yet. Just need to keep my steam going until I get there, haha.

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