Blessed Studentin

I'm 49 and and in the last semester of the RN program. Have any of you found learning to be more difficult that those who are younger?

I found out today that I failed my RN clinicals, two weeks before the end of the program. I have a problem with anxiety and tend to freeze up when I'm put on the spot by my clinical instructor. Because of this, I missed "air in a line" and had a medication safety issue this semester. No patients were harmed but but my actions were enough for my instructor to question my skills and give me a failing clinical grade. This means that I will be reapplying to the nursing program and will need to repeat the entire semester, including advanced med/surge! I'm just sick, I feel like such a failure and the only one not going on for her preceptorship. Did I mention that I am 49-years-old and already feeling like an odd ball in the class? One thing that I know is the God had a plan for my life which means taking a little longer to reach my dream. I'm never giving up - ever! Has anyone been in this situation? I could sure use some encouragement right now. Blessings

I am going to keep this in my head for the next time a "bitter old cow" tries to get me down!! Thanks for the great advice! Blessings.

This must be the week for microbiology professors to rattle our cages. I too have been treated with disrespect from my microbiology professor. I've been scolded in front of the whole class on several occasions. Mind you I'm almost 50 years old! My professor claims that he can tell which of us will fail nursing school and I can't help but think that he is referring to me. Well guess what? He doesn't know me, has never seen the great job that I do at my job and doesn't know what great skills I have outside of the biology lab. I am a firm believer that what doesn't kill us will just make us stronger. I know that I would never make a great lab technician but I WILL make s great nurse! Do your best to study the material every day, make notes of everything that you don't understand and review those questions with your professor. Learning to study the material by passing the class with a decent grade is more of a predictor on how well you will do in nursing school than knowing how to use a microscope! Blessings to you!!

I"m sorry to hear that you didn't pass but am glad that you can retake in a month. The good news is you can always try again! You aced two practice exams and you knew what you had done wrong - there's no doubt in my mind that you will have better luck - "knowledge" next time. I am new to this whole CNA testing - does it cost a lot of money each time you take the test? Keep us posted on your certification progress.