jphill15

Quote from Scottishtape Being an LPN can be just as stressful as being an RN. It really depends on the job you have, your coworkers, and your ability to handle stress in the first place. I would never tell someone not to become an LPN, but I would caution people to be sure what their area is like for LPNs, what is the scope of practice for LPNs in your area and consider whether you're ok with the restrictions you will face. Also, think about the areas you want to work in. Are these areas that LPNs *regularly* work in? Everyone can come up with a story of how XYZ LPN got a job in QRS, but it is not the norm. Then, you become an LPN to get into said area, can't get in, and are upset. Both LPN and RN programs take commitment, so do your due diligence and make an informed decision so you won't face regret, wasted time, and wasted money. Thank you for this feedback. I believe that I can handle stress pretty well, but I had not considered the questions you raised and I will definitely look into that. I do not want to get into this and then decide halfway through it isn't for me. Thanks!

I'm originally from NY, just moved to Maine a couple months ago but temporarily, and I would go back to NY to go to school, since I'm still a NY resident.

Just wondering if the job market for LPNs is growing as much as I've heard it is. Reading an article right now that it's up 16% or something, but other articles say the exact opposite and they aren't being hired. I didn't want to go into LPN school, but I'm considering the option again, because I had gone through 3 semesters of nursing school before failing the program, and don't want to let that training and schooling go to waste. For those of you who are LPNs or have been ... is it just as stressful as being an RN? Do you like it, hate it, wish you'd done something else, couldn't see yourself doing anything else? I think one of the weak points that really caused me to suffer during nursing school was a weak foundation of A&P2 and the Bio's ... which are obviously important. Thanks for any input!

Yeah, I'm thinking of majoring in professional writing and minoring in communication:) I've been exploring career options all week. Thank you for the reply!

Thank you for the response!

Hey guys, So... I failed out of my nursing program this past semester. I failed my first semester and then barely failed the third, so now I'm done with my program. I know that a lot of schools won't accept a student who has failed twice in a nursing program, so the only direction I can really go is to become an LPN, get some experience, and then go back for nursing. Except now ... I don't know. I've lost my drive for nursing. A couple years ago it was ALL I thought about because I was too stressed and deep in homework to consider anything else, but now ... I don't want to go back, but I feel like a failure and that I'm just throwing it all away. I know it was my self-doubt that screwed me over in the end (changed answers that I knew were right on a test to ones that were wrong ... that eventually caused me to fail). I could easily get through the LPN school but I don't want to be an LPN. I don't know if it's just the burnout of nursing school or I'm finally facing the fact of not wanting to be in nursing anymore, despite pushing myself for years to get as far as I did. Any advice? Deep down I know I want to go back to school and become an English major because that's where my true passion is ... I just don't want to throw nursing out the window, and my family is pushing for me to do the LPN route and not give up on it. I just have zero motivation left in me to pursue nursing.

I've begun explaining it to myself in the mirror instead of an imaginary friend haha which was a little weird to do in the beginning but I have found it to be very helpful. I think that probably is where I'm falling short ... I'm anxious about not knowing the little details as well as the big picture so I focus so much on the details instead of taking a step back.

Hey guys, I'm having a hard time with the whole "applying" concept in school. I'm great at memorizing, but that will only get you so far if you can't think critically. Any tips for learning this and getting it down better? I think that's really the area I struggle with most, and it's such an important aspect of nursing. How did you develop your critical thinking skills? Thanks!

@katyq82 would you be able to share those resources? I've found a few podcasts that are helpful but I would love to listen to more. I'll listen to them in the car, too, or at the gym/when I have downtime

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you SO freaking much.

There is a tutor that tries to come in maybe once a week or something (she's 4th semester) and I'm going to begin going to her tutoring sessions. I'm meeting with one of my professors tomorrow to see what tips she might have, too. I think it's mainly the whole mind over matter thing? It's just hard for me to get past the overthinking to logically and critically look at the question/answer.

Okay, guys. I need your help. I study my butt off for our exams; memorizing, practicing questions (albeit not as many as I should be), doing case studies when I can ... I throw myself into the preparation for these exams. And then I get to an exam and I'm going through it and I KNOW the material ... but I overthink EVERYthing and don't pick the correct questions. It's like all of the breathing techniques, the self motivation that I've done up until that point fly out the window and I stare at the answers like a deer in headlights. I just bombed one of our exams (even though I know 90% of what the answers were) because it's like this mental barrier that keeps me from checking the correct answer even though I KNOW what the correct answer is. I'm feeling really depressed because I need to get my grade up ... and I know that I can do it and put the work in and get the material down ... but I'm nervous about the exams.

Hey guys, Is anybody willing to share how they managed their time during nursing school? I am currently in 3rd semester (out of 4, almost there!!) and school is taking up all of my time. I know it's busy, I understand the need to set aside time and study, etc. But, I don't believe that nursing school has to CONSUME your life as it is doing right now. How did you balance school and life? How did you manage your study time? Thank you!