BruiserQueen

Hello all, I wish I was making my first lengthy post about something positive but I'm not, so here it goes... I am currently enrolled in a full-time ADN program (15 credit hours, full-time is usually 12) which began in mid August and will end in mid May of next year. All together I'm taking 6 classes but this includes Intro theory and lab from which we are tested separately. So far, I'm doing well. Not as great as I had hoped, I've failed two exams: one by two points and the other by five, but I have a B in all of my classes and have classmates that have failed more exams than not. I've been out of LPN school for over 6 years so I expected a learning curve regarding the material and exams. I am studying first thing when I get up, sometimes during my lunch break, and in the evening until bed unless I'm showering, making dinner, spending time with my kiddo, etc. I understand sacrifice, prioritization, and time commitments, but the problem is that I feel like I have little balance in my life right now and wondered almost immediately how long I can keep this up due to other responsibilities. My mom passed away last Thursday after a four year battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was a fellow nurse, one of my best friends, my personal cheerleader, and was so accepting and encouraging. I understand that she's at peace and is free from suffering. She won her battle and fought with dignity, courage, and grace and I'm fiercely proud of her. However, since her death, I can't concentrate and my usually positive and sunny attitude is absent and I'm exhausted in every sense of the word. Plus, I'm beating myself up for ignoring a few of her calls so as not to interrupt my study time. I would do anything to make those opportunities up. My Director of Nursing was incredibly kind and excused my absences for this past week to allow for services, etc. I've attempted to study and think critically but when I've found the motivation, I just can't seem to grasp anything and I feel overwhelmed. I've been thinking about dropping down to the part-time program which will take 18 months. It's not what I originally wanted but as long as I'm working toward my goal then I have something to be proud of. I'm a logical and pragmatic person and I know this decision is ultimately a very personal one, but I'd be incredibly grateful for constructive input and insight to help me weigh the pros and cons to dropping down to part-time. Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedules to read this and I'm sorry that I sound like Debbie Downer (wah waaah). I hope this post finds you and your loved ones healthy and happy. Be well, -B

Passing for our ADN coursework is an 80% which is the lowest possible C on the grading scale.

I just started my ADN program on the 13th. Excited, nervous, overwhelmed and all that jazz, and I'm looking forward to my first full week. We'll get the hang of things soon enough, just have to keep our goals in mind and stick it out! Our class has iv check off and a calculation exam next week already. I'm trying not to read the syllabi too far in advance, it causes my eyes to bug out! My personal assignment this week is coming up with a mantra. How are you all powering through?