MimismomRN

Hi guys, I too am a new RN and really struggling. I did the bridge program LVN to RN and graduated last June 2009. I have been working on a telemetry floor since November 2009. I don't know if I'm too old to be doing this (52 yrs old) but most days I cry and think why am I putting my body through this. I usually work on a team with an LVN and Nurse Tech and have six patients. Last week I had a 667 pound patient that took six nurses to move her and then the same day I got a homeless guy from the ER with poop and dried mud all over him. I almost threw up from the smell. I can't sleep the night before I go in worrying and during the day when I get critical labs or have all TPC patients I go into meltdown mode sometimes. I feel like I'm having panic attacks. I need to stick it out for a year to get my experience but I don't know how long my body can do floor nursing. My hospital is very understaffed and the acuities are very high for all my patients. I don't feel like I'm giving te care I want to because I am stretched so thin. But I live in an area where there are only two hospitals, both bad and I'm to old to commute two hours each way to Los Angeles to work not to mention no one is hiring new grads right now. I need to find a way not to let things upset me so much when things don't go smoothly, but I'm not sure how to do that. Any suggestions out there? Thank you so much and god bless you all. Susan, RN in California

Thanks TB so much! I am so relieved. I was thinking I did not pass and would have to take it again. God Bless you!

Hey guys, I just checked te Board Website and I found out that I passed! Praise God! I give him all the praise and glory. Thank you to all of you who prayed. I appreciate it so much. I will continue to pray for all of those who have not taken it or are nervously waiting for results. God bless you all! Keep looking up because he will pull you through this I am proof. Susan RN 2009 (California)

Hey guys, took my NCLEX on Monday, 8/17. Mine shut down at 75. I felt like I critically guessed on the entire exam even after studying for 2 1/2 months. I felt nauseous after that exam. I'm just hoping and praying I don't have to take that thing again. I'm 51 years old and don't need that stress again, Lord help me. I'm praying for all of us to pass. God bless you all. Susan, LvN to RN (Californai) June 2009:yeah:

Thanks guys for your thoughts and ideas. I'm really nervous about it since I have been doing med surg telemetry for 3 years as an LVN and it would be really diferent for me. But I'll go and find out about it. Jobs are scarce right now in California so you pretty much have to take what you can get. Who would have thought it would be hard to get a nursing job. The economy has hit us all I guess even nurses. Thanks again. I'll let you know what I decide or if they even want me. Susan, RN 2009 in California

Hey guys I just graduated June 7th and will be taking the NCLEX RN on August 17. I finished the Kaplan book, and am on page 300 of the 1400 page Saunders Book and am so overwhelmed. But I believe if God got us through nursing school he will get us through the NCLEX. I'm praying for all of us to pass. Please pray for me too. I am so scared and overwhelmed. My friend just took it Monday, thought she failed, but passed with 75 questions. God Bless us all. Susan, RN (California) 2009:yeah:

Hey guys, I need your help. I am an LVN who has been working med/surg tele for 3 l/2 years and just graduated with my RN in June 2009. I'm having a heck of a time finding a job in California. My floor has no openings except a casual position. I just got called for an interview for labor and delivery where I would go into a 16 week training program which is better than the six week preceptorship that my hospital usually gives on the med surg floors. But I'm not sure if labor and delivery is for me. I am 51 years old and med surg is wearing me out. Can any labor and delivery nurses give me some advice on if this is a good place for new grad and what a labor and delivery nurse is actually responsible for. I am nervous about having to deliver a baby if that's what they have to do. Please give me any information or advice. I really appreciate it. Thanks so much. I am so excited to be an RN. I have been in school for five years for this. Sincerely, Susan, LVN and RN (June 2009):icon_roll

Wow this is interesting. I am getting ready to finish my fourth semester in 12 weeks, thank you Lord, if I pass!!! In my case, I am 51, married with two daughters, one who is also an RN and it has definietely been a strain on my marriage and family life. They don't understand how intense the RN program is and how it drains everything out of you. We have definitely drifted apart in our marriage and not sure we'll be able to find what we once had again when this is finally done. I plan on a long trip after graduation to figure things out though. I have heard that nursing school causes alot of divorces but I think if someone really love you they should be there for you no matter what. And if they aren't then maybe they worn't worth it to begin with. God bless you al and keep on keeping on. I feel like if I don't pass this program after being in school for the past 5 years I may have nothing left! Scary but true. Trying to stay positive and strong as we all must do. LVN to RN - June 2009 yah!!!!!!!!!!

Hey guys, haven't been here for a while but I'm an LVN for three years and will be starting 4th semester of the RN program in Feb. I'm excited, scared and can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel of this long road. I will be 51 when I graduate June 2009, yah! I have a 24 year old daughter who is also a new RN. So if this menopause queen can do it, we all can. I didn't say it was easy, but you have to just keep going. I am down to one shift a week but may have to quit for 4th semester. Anyone else work through 4th semester?? God bless all of you. You can do it.

Thanks guys for your tips and advice. I really appreciate all the tips and websites. I have printed everything to go through before Monday. You are all my heros!!! Susan RN 2009!!!!:bby::bby::bby::monkeydance:

Hey guys, I start my Peds clinical rotation on Monday. I am scared as I have never assessed an infant, baby or toddler. Can anyone tell me where I can find the steps to a pediatric assessment, in particular infants and babies, so I don't miss anything. I am also nervous about the peds math and IV syringe pumps. Any advice or help is so appreciated. Thanks!! Susan, LVN to RN California Graduating June 2009:yeah::bowingpur

Congratulations, you can do it. Just keep going. I too am in my second week of the RN program, 3rd semester. I went the LVN to RN bridge route. It is overwhelming especially since I have major anxiety, stress and menopause right now. But I believe with God's help we can do anything. God bless us all. :bowingpur:nurse::wshgrt::anpom::anpom::anpom:

I think we should start a club. We'll call it the "Nervous Nellie Nursing Society". We are or will be great nurses, with just a little anxiety. I am 50, an LVN, and starting 3rd semester of the RN program next week. My stress level is enormous, and yes I too have the panic attacks and anxiety about doing everything right. We just have to push through it guys because we will be great nurses who care about doing a great job. I have had a prescription for Lexapro for over a year and have been fighting taking it, not started yet, but I think I will try it and see if it enables me to calm down a bit. Because if we are a nervous wreck it is hard to think anyway. By the way, I got an A in my nursing transition class (LVN to RN Bridge Class) so you can definitely do it too if I can do it. I feel like I have to study a little harder than most (could be age, menopause) but I'm not giving up. Follow your dreams. You can do whatever you want to do in this life. Why not do something worthwhile where you can help others. That's why I changed careers midlife. Tired of pushing papers. God bless us all nervous nellies. :bowingpur:yelclap::yelclap::anpom::anpom::anpom:

Dear Oregon Gal, Please hang in there, you are compassionate and care for people and will be a great nurse. I too suffer from anxiety, panic attacks and have the same trouble trying to do everything perfect as you. I am 50, an LVN for 2 l/2 years going into my 3rd semester to get my RN. I have considered going on a medication to help with anxiety but have not done it yet. Alot of nurses have to do that. It is stressful, no doubt. I work tele med/surg and have so many patients, plus am still going through menopause which doesn't help with the stress. Do what you need to do and take care of yourself. Good luck to you.

I'm with you. I have worked med surg as an LVN for 2 1/2 years and am going into 3rd semester of the RN program. I am 50 and don't think I can physically do floor nursing much longer. The stress is tremendous, the patient load is unmanageable and I feel the same way it is hard to get myself to that job every day. I never sleep the night before because of the stress I know I will endure. Sometimes I'm not even sure I want to get my RN anymore. I hope there is somewhere else for me besides med surg. But they always say you must do one year med/surg to get hired anywhere. That scares me. I feel like the job is physically draining the life out of me. I don't have the time to spend with my patients that they deserve because I am always running from one crisis to another or have so many meds to pass, dressings to do, insulins to give. I hope there is another area to start in besides med/surg once I get my RN or I think I may have gone through this for what??? Med surg is really tough, especially at 50 or older. :monkeydance::smackingf:yeahthat:

Boy this all sounds like what I am going through too. I am an LVN, 50 yrs. old and have worked med surg/telemetry for 2 l/2 years . It is overwhelming for me most of the time. We work team (RN, LVN and Nurse Tech - if we're lucky). I have 8 patients, but used to have up to 15. I am completing my RN and just did the LVN to RN bridge and will start 3rd semester in August. I'm not sure my body can take many more years of med surg. It's hard on us 50+. Some days I think what have I gotten myself into. But I have to admit I have learned alot. I'm hoping I can find a slightly easier spot once I get my RN, maybe clinic or something else. It's definitely hard work. Especially on those days I have 8 accuchecks, 6 dressing changes and NG/G tubes everywhere. All I can say is God Bless us All. :bowingpur

Thank you to all for your thoughts and advice. I think I need to push myself through the fear and get as much experience as I can at the things I most fear. I hear what you are saying, the more you do things the more comfortable you will be with doing them. Thanks again to all.

Hi guys, I really need some advice, support, help from you all. I am a 50 year old LVN, just finished the bridge LVN to RN (with an A, thank you Lord) and will be starting 3rd semester of the RN program in 4 weeks. I have terrible anxiety, stress, fear at clinicals. I do not have the confidence that I feel I need to do well. I don't know if it is menopause, age, or just low self esteem. I really want to be able to get through the next 10 months and get my RN, but I am so scared. I am afraid to do IV starts, volunteer for procedures I am uncomfortable with. I feel like avoid doing things because I don't want to hurt my patient or I may not do it right. I don't know what's wrong with me. I work med surg/telemetry for the past 2 l/2 years but I still feel inadequate and scared. Any advice on how to get through this would be so appreciated. I love nursing, my patients and want to be a good RN but I have to get over this anxiety, fear, insecurity. Thanks in advance for any help, advice, encouragement. You are all my heros.

Hi Guys, I just finished my bridge class LVN to RN with an A. I know at 50 years old that's pretty good. But I am scared I will not be able to pass 3rd and 4th semesters. I just lack confidence in myself and my abilities. I take my tests at the disabled students office because I need more time on tests (processing disorder in my brain, they say). I get especially nervous at clinicals, am afraid to start IVs, do procedures, etc. I have worked as an LVN in telemetry/med/surg for 2 l/2 years, but I still feel scared. I don't know what's wrong with me. I have panic attacks and can't sleep the night before clinicals. I have to get my RN and need to keep going (only 10 more monts), but I can't seem to get control of my anxiety. Anybody else have this problem. Thanks for listening and for any advice you can give. I feel like I study three times longer than anyone else just to pass these stinking tests. Maybe it's menopause causing the anxiety, I don't know.

Kizzy, thank you so much for your encouragement and nice comments. I appreciate them so much. Some days are tough but you are all my inspiration. I just have to get through this bridge class to get into third semester. Lord help me!!! I know you must be a great nurse as well!!! Take care.

Yah for her. I too am 50 almost 51, been an LVN for two years and now just started my LVN to RN bridge program. I plan on becoming a great RN. I love my patients and being a nurse. 50 is the new 30, enough said. As long as you are breathing you might as well do what you want with your life. Don't listen to stupid people just because they are too scared to take a risk and follow their dreams. Time passes no matter what! God bless older nurses. :yeah:

This is great!!! I am 50, an LVN and just started my bridge LVN to RN program (one more year)!!!!! There are several older/wiser students in my class. It would be sad if someone told me you're too old to do this. I will do it and prove them wrong, ha ha. I agree our life experience speaks for alot in this field. And yes 50 is the new 30 in case anyone asks. You are all my heros and my inspiration. God bless you all!!!!:stdnrsrck::urck::clphnds::yelclap:

Hey guys, I passed. 85.9%!!!!!!!!! So excited and relieved. Bridge program here I come June 16. Yah. I guess they were right, 50 is the new 30 (ha ha). Thanks for all your support and good wishes. You are all my heros. Hugs from California nurse. :redbeathe

Thanks for your support. Just found out I passed!!!!! 85.9%. Thank you Lord. Bridge Program here I come June 2008.

Hi LittlePlayNurse, Thanks so much for your well wishes. Congratulations on passing the TEAS. You did really well for not studying!!! Oh my gosh I have studied since Dec. My first attempt on the online was only 69%, but I retook it today and got 88% so I'm hoping and praying I do well tomorrow. Will let you know! I won't know for a week or two as I am taking mine on paper due to needing extra time (learning disability).