SabineEffect

Hey, I totally understand your frustration and I'm sorry it's also happening to you. I'm going through the same thing. My professors aren't that kind either. They've made things more complicated than they need to be, but I'm trying to see it as a blessing in disguise as making me stronger so I'll have thick skin by time I get into the RN program. Some people don't understand me when I tell them how tough things are right now, but my Micro Professor just made us all submit 5 (FIVE!!!!) micro lab reports ALL AT ONCE. They weren't all due at separate deadlines, NO- they were all due together in one document. Luckily I did great on all of them. His reasoning is he's trying to prepare us for the abuse that the RN program will expose everyone to when they get in. I've talked to my RN colleagues at work about all this and they think it's absurd he's acting like this, but I think times have changed. Schools have cracked down to the max and the RN program is probably no longer for the one who loves nursing. In fact, the RN program is probably for those that are just crazy smart in theory which is something I lack. I'm fantastic with skills check offs, but if you give me theoretical info that won't get applied to the real world (ever), then I'm lost. I do try to study and I'm always doing homework, recording lectures, doing extra credit. Heck, I even talked with my professor to give him input on how his lectures could be more effective in class. For some time there, he was a wreck in class. When I talked with him, he somewhat listened. He's still tough, but I am not giving up. I try to see it as a blessing in disguise because by now, I know how to write some hardcore fancy S.O.A.P. notes and I'm not even in the RN program yet. I also have found out the stuff I've learned so far, my colleagues are oblivious to that new knowledge these days. You're at an advantage these days, believe me. We are learning the newest and best info these days that will help boost our resume later on. Knowledge and experience is gold. On the other hand, don't listen to negative input. I am where you are to an extent and from what it looks like, I would highly recommend you changing schools. One of my colleagues was in one RN program and she said it was a total wreck. She transferred to another RN program at a different school and was pleased with her experience. Plus, it may prevent trashing your GPA. If you're not liking the school you're at due to the RN program, your GPA might suffer to the point you may have an even harder time trying to get accepted elsewhere. Also, don't limit yourself. If you truly want this, consider applying at multiple schools. Otherwise, consider more tutoring and talk with your peers, too. For me, my peers were so lost and they still are. Actually they don't even have time to explain anything and nobody in my classes seems to know tit-for-tat. We're all lost because it's so difficult right now. If you can afford tutoring, get it. Otherwise, I would transfer to another college. Don't settle. This is your money that you're using to pay for college and every bit of it counts. Don't let anyone ruin your GPA even if you're trying your hardest to make it work. Sometimes the school itself doesn't have the right professors or they enforce a teaching method that isn't "one size fits all". On another note, I've looked at youtube to see what other RN nursing students are saying. Pretty much everyone is saying same thing- study, study, study. You can't study if you don't understand what you're reading, I know! I have had and still have a professor that gets snappy when questions are asked, but don't be afraid. Keep asking questions. If he/she isn't allowing for office hours, I would talk to the department chair and let him/her know that the professor isn't providing tutoring hours. Explain your situation. The worst they can do is not help you. Just try to talk with the dept. chair. and see what happens. If they aren't supportive, I would be considering applying at a different school while you're still at this current school and transfer out. This is your life your working on. I don't have straight A's either. I certainly don't have a 4.0 GPA and it boggles my mind to see how people with that high of a GPA get through the RN program without it getting beaten down and trashed to a 3-point-something. A lot of people don't understand our situation because times have actually changed. RN programs and science programs have cracked down and a lot of people don't seem to believe how much more difficult it is to get through them now compared to just a few years ago or prior to that. Anyway, best of luck. Don't give up. You can do this! Don't ever settle. If that school isn't supportive, transfer out (last resort). Otherwise, keep sticking it out and don't get C's as a final grade in any of your classes. Talk with other people in your class and find out how they're managing (everyone has a different approach, believe me.) Also, ask your professor how he or she learned the material. Lastly, talk with your colleagues. I have a feeling I'm going to have to invest in books to act like a know-it-all before I get into the program because the professor is already telling us we better know the Fundamentals of Nursing before we even get into the program. How that is possible, I have no idea. The things they come up with just doesn't make any sense, but okay then! Best of luck for you. Stay strong. Don't quit. People like them will try to do everything they can to discourage you to see if you really are passionate about the RN program (that's my theory anyway). Flex your muscles and keep pushing through! It's rough out there, I know! I'm feeling it over here too. I just do my work, do the best I can- talk with classmates and get input, I do outlines on my notes, and cross my fingers. Oh, and I am a snob about my sleep at night. If you don't get your rest, you'll lose your mind and then everything will spiral out of control. Some people can function perfectly without rest, but consider what works best for you. -Sabine

How do I know? The professors tell everyone including me. Surprise. Why do people think I just pull this information out of thin air? Don't answer that. That will end up being another debate. This post is done. Enjoy your weekend! Everyone, please stop answering to this post. Thanks in advance for those who have commented.

Hi, I understand where you're coming from but the reason why my school has cracked down is because some time ago they lost their accreditation. I guess it scared them so bad, they refuse to make that mistake again which I don't blame them. The reason they have made the core classes harder is because they're trying to get everyone to realize that Nursing school in Georgia isn't an average college class. I know it's hard! They make the core classes much harder just so students adapt before trying to get into nursing school. Oh, and if they don't adapt and they get into the school's RN program and fail the NCLEX-RN test afterwards, apparently it hurts the school's accreditation over a period of time. Apparently if a lot of people fail the NCLEX-RN exam, that can cause the school to lose accreditation. So I understand why they've gone all hard core with their core classes. I actually appreciate the fact that they're forcing me to adapt and they're making me stronger. Without them, I wouldn't have figured out more ways to study or write notes, etc. But yes, that is the reality here in my area. They are fighting to make sure that people are more than serious about getting into the RN program and they better pass that NCLEX-RN exam. I had no idea this can affect their accreditation. Rest assured, I am serious about the program. I work, too. I love what I do as a CNA. Congrats on your bachelor's degree. I had no idea what I wanted to be for a while there, so I didn't rush things which is why I am working on my degree now. Everyone's journey is different. In my area, an LPN can't really get a job. I am looking to work in a hospital setting or doctor's office, not assisted living or nursing homes. Everyone has something they like. I'll get that RN degree. I am not scared or discouraged at all. The whole point of this thread was to talk about what's going on.

That fact actually applies to my school and this area. As mentioned, it may not apply to your or someone else's location. A fact is when you actually do the research and talk with the college board and find out what the real truth is. Can't really whip out the Galileo resources and find out that way in this case, ya know?

You're right and wrong at the same time. I'm sorry, when did you graduate again? If you didn't graduate nursing school within the last 5 years, I promise you things have changed dramatically. Everything is way more strict and the pre-req's classes for the RN program are usually being weeded out because the professors are trying to give students an idea of what nursing school may be like. So either the students learn to handle the overwhelming load and demands during their science classes, or they'll think twice about that nursing major they had in mind. That is a fact. Those weren't even my words. Maybe it's a different scenario in your area, but here in GA they have cracked down on the classes. That doesn't mean I'm lazy or discouraged. I do know people that do "weed themselves out" of those classes, but I'm not one of them. Congrats on having a master's degree, but I can assure you things have changed within the last few years in colleges and it isn't a cake walk like it used to be 20 years ago. I've shared my homework info with my RN and Doctor colleagues at work and even they're shocked about what hoops I jump through these days for my core classes. I wanted to know how school was for them "way back when". Sure enough, they all had it easy. So before you start pointing fingers, you need to realize that colleges have severely cracked-down on classes these days because of there's a high demand for nursing school and anything medical field related. Enjoy your weekend.

You have the wrong impression of who I am, so let me clear that up. I actually can keep a job and I've been loyal to my employer for several years now since being hired. The ONLY reason I have had this job for a few years is because I RELOCATED hours away from where I was living (I was looking for a bigger city with more jobs and more schools). That does not make me a bad person. People do that a lot. You don't know me, so for you to jump to conclusions and make poor judgement actually doesn't look good on you or anyone else. Last night when I wrote that post, I was tired and in a funk. We all go through it. Yes, it's life. Nothing is ever perfect- whether you're hiding at home or you're out and about. People aren't always on their best behavior- I know. I have my bad days- we all do. On another note, I worded things in a way that you misinterpreted everything. Actually, what I wrote just brought on more negativity from people like you. But hey, thanks for basically telling me to buck up and get through it. Maybe that's exactly what I needed... just a friendly reminder to myself that is a dog-eat-dog-cut-throat-kind-of-world. For the record, I do great at work and work well with my patients. Everything that you have questioned, I actually do the total opposite and I'm pretty good at what I do (that's the words of everyone at work). Go have yourself a glass of wine and chill out. Apologies for striking the wrong nerve!

Hi, I'm a CNA and I can't fathom a CNA trying to become an LVN/LPN without going through the program. I know of CNA's I work with in my hospital setting and they don't know a lot of stuff that I learned in school. Mind you, I went through tech school for 5 months to learn about medical terminology, acute care clinicals, nursing home clinicals, etc. That doesn't make me better than them or you- the reason I'm mentioning this is because every year, there's new knowledge in the textbooks- new laws, etc. I knew about them, but the veteran CNA's I work with don't know any of it. They don't know about proper cath care and they didn't know proper hand hygiene, either. They don't even understand microbiology! When you know about different bacteria , you're probably more educated about which chemicals or treatment will reduce/kill them on surfaces or on skin. (i.e.- hand sanitizer won't kill c.diff, but they swear up and down it does despite our hospital educating everyone about it.) Also, the veteran CNA's I work with never went through school like I did. If you didn't go through CNA school recently, then you can assume everything in the books has been updated. Also, I am a pre-nursing student and I've got over 30 credits under me now. I can assure you that trying to become an LPV/LVN without going through the program is a bad idea. By time I got into microbiology, I was finally realizing the importance of these classes. You do not want to bypass them! They are for your and everyone else's safety and benefit. Here's a little inspiration.... My CNA instructor was a CNA for 11 years and when she was teaching me in tech school, she already had her BSN degree and she was in school again to become a Nurse Practitioner. About a year later, she became a Nurse Practitioner! Just because you're a CNA, you can still go through college and gain more knowledge. You can get there. Trying to bypass all those classes is not advised. I am not obsessed with microbiology, but it was a real big eye opener when I started to learn more about bacteria and their behavior, gram negative, gram positive, etc. That knowledge won't get handed to you unless someone has the time to explain it all... otherwise, you just have to go through the classes just like we all do. Don't sell yourself short!

Okay, so I've been lurking on this site for over a year. Hi! I've been working on my core classes and with each day now, I question everything. I wonder if I'm doing the right thing in life? I am working as a nursing technician (CNA) at a hospital here. I've been doing that since 2010. It's a tough job and I'm ready for a change. So here I am, almost done with my core classes and thinking of applying for nursing programs and I still need to take that dreaded Teas V exam. Yes, I've purchased a study book to prepare for it. Your input on that is encouraged if you have any! This semester, I'm taking 4 classes- Micro Lab , Micro Lecture, U.S. History, Art Appreciation. The latter is the only one I'm taking online and the rest are strictly on campus. The problem: In the first 3 mention classes, my professors are trying to weed people out it seems. They know the majority of us are there working on our Pre-Nursing classes and they've cracked down on everything. I'm starting to think that people need to stop telling colleges and their professors that they're nursing majors because if they find out, they're already trying to weed people out so most folks don't make it to the nursing program. There's nothing I can do about that, but a little rant helps! No matter what I do these days in my classes, all the tests are curbed and nobody seems to be passing. I have a good GPA! I've talked with other students and without me mentioning my grades, they're telling me their grades. Well what do you know? We are all being given the same grade in our classes. It seems they're giving a 57 to everyone in the class. Socialism and grading nursing students is a horrible idea. I keep questioning everything. Why do I want to be in a program where nursing students aren't welcome? Why do I need to be there? I would rather be in a program where students are welcome to learn and actually succeed while there. Could it be just my college? It's pretty bad over here in Georgia. I've heard nothing but horror stories about how Georgia colleges weed the crap out of classes to make people want to drop out of classes and make them want to change their major. They're all for failing people it seems. I am not lazy. I work day and night on my studying and I talk regularly with my professors. I've done research on my professors as well to make sure I didn't sign up to take classes from a neo nazi. I will be applying to nursing programs here and I am open to applying outside of Georgia. Does anyone know of a good nursing program that actually wants their students to pass and they have a great support system (great learning environment, great professors, etc)? I know someone who said she can get me into a nursing program at a college she teaches at and she's a nursing clinical instructor. However, I don't want to limit myself to just that college and for all I know, I could be walking into another disaster. I have had my fair share of pain from the college I'm at now. We don't have open labs at all after labs are done. We get 7-10 minutes to perform 2-5 different labs per class and that's it. If we don't finish, we never get the chance to go back and work on it because "the school doesn't allow open labs for micro and they can't afford open labs for micro". Oh, the classes are 1.5 hrs long. Not learning anything! I do all my reading before classes. My brain is fried. No support here. The students in my classes are more motivated to pay someone $300 to do their work for them and they want to cheat off the work. The next college I transfer to, I need a break from all this mess. Is that even possible or are all/most colleges a power trip?