Prospective nursing student needs advice!! * Please Help!* (Ontario, Canada)

[Jane0029]

Hello all, I've been perusing this forum for awhile now...but never thought to post until now. I am located in Ontario and my dream is to become a Registered Nurse.

I just had a few questions for people who are in the nursing field going to school....So I'll give you a quick background about me. I was in an RPN program in 2009-2010 and did really well first year. My lowest grade was a B and I performed well in clinical. However, I ran into some difficulty in 2^nd year during a med-surg. rotation. I was struggling with depression that had began in the summer due to taking Accutane. I also had a bit of a run in with my clinical teacher and she failed me with a supplementary pass...meaning I could continue on into the next rotation but I would have to do a couple extra assignments.

Now a bit of background on this teacher...we were her first (EVER) clinical group as she was previously an ER nurse who was new to teaching. She was very rude to everybody in our group (not just me)...aggressive, condescending...you name it. I feel I got the worst of it from her because I was a bit on the shy side. I think she was trying to get me out of my shell, but didn't do it in the most generous way. She also didn't recognize that I was depressed/not myself...I didn't know I was depressed at the time but it felt like something was not right. For example, she did a lot of hovering, coming to ask me several questions each time I'm doing a skill. If I made a mistake she would grill me about it in front of the patient. She would basically tell me what I was doing wrong right there in front of the patient. I understand that teachers need to ask questions to their students when in a clinical setting and so forth, but this was not the way she should've gone about it. Most of my other group members felt the same way....essentially she was a drill sergeant. The rotation was 6 weeks. I moved on to the next rotation in the semester taking the teacher's report of me to my next rotation. She noticed I faced a lot of discrimination from the previous teacher. I also told her about my depression which had been recognized by this point by my DR. I told her how I felt about it and my 2^nd clinical instructor agreed that it could've been handled a lot better. This teacher was a lot more supportive. After 2 weeks of that clinical she noticed I wasn't doing well and I decided to take a break from the program. I withdrew that day.

I came home in tears because I really felt this career was right for me. I went back a few days later to talk to the coordinator about possibly getting in for the winter semester. He essentially called me an idiot and said that I didn't have the capabilities to be a nurse, both of which I know aren't true. At this point I felt really belittled and bullied by the administration of the program. I was fed up.

I switched then to the PSW program in the winter semester. One of my patients fell and they the nursing staff said that I wasn't negligent at all and that I handled myself really well in the situation. He was a 300 pound man that was half blind and I was helping him to the washroom. Needless to say he lost his balance and I guided him to the floor as we were taught to do. He then had an accident all over the floor. I pressed pulled the call bell for help and no one came for 20+ minutes. At this point I am again on the verge of tears, but I hold back to be supportive towards the patient. I stayed with him until someone came. This person was a fellow psw student and she ran to get the other nurses. They all said I did well for the situation and encouraged me. I was devastated. This brought everything back from nursing school. I filled out the report and I talked to my clinical instructor. She said she admired my composure as the situation was a difficult one to handle. She also encouraged me to continue in the program. I decided it was time for a break from school.

The following year I decided to upgrade some of my high school sciences and completed grade 11 math, biology, and chemistry. I also completed a careers assessment from a psychologist that said I was suited towards medicine.

Now almost two years later I am working as a Home Support Worker and considering volunteer work with the local hospital. I am also set to begin the Personal Support Worker program in the Fall. This program is at the same school, but run by entirely different staff, which is excellent.

I am also starting to see a psychologist to work through my issues from this.

I am still interested in nursing as I feel this is was I was born for. When I was a baby I underwent two open heart operations (one at Age 1 and the second at Age 3). I want to help people like the nurses and doctors helped me.

I attended the "College Preview Day" at St. Lawrence College- Kingston and the info sessions for their pre-health sciences for BScN and the RN programs. I feel I am more interested in the RN program than the RPN after the experience that I had with the other program at a different school.

My questions are for current nurses and nursing students at St. Lawrence College-Kingston Campus....

....more information the better....

Nursing Students

What are your own experiences with the program? How is the work load? Teachers? Etc....

For RPN students at St. Lawrence College- Kingston.....

What made you decide on RPN program instead of RN...Are you planning on upgrading to RN?

What are your experiences with the program so far? What do you like? Dislike?

For RN Students at St. Lawrence College- Kingston....

How do you find the program? Is it really challenging/manageable?....

Current Nurses

For RPNs....How do you like the job? Do you regret doing RPN first if you are considering upgrading to RN?

For RNs....

What do you think of the RPN route...would you suggest going straight into RN instead?

General

Any opinions on what route I should take? RPN vs. RN for my situation....all opinions matter, but be honest and respectful.

*** I know this thread is long, but please read thoroughly...I need all the feedback I can get***

[loriangel14, RN]

Honestly? I don't think that BSN would be the best choice.First you need to get your issues dealt with.Then return to school.If you struggled with the RPN program you would not fare better with the BSN.Yeah nursing school is tough.Yeah sometimes the instructors are tough.But this will get you ready for working as a nurse.You can't expect to have your hand held all the time. Bosses can be demanding.Not everyone will be sweet and kind.I had one teacher in school that was relentless.Demanding.Hard.Critical.She challenged me at every turn.I learned more from her than anyone else.The instructor is not there to be your friend.She is there to make sure you know your stuff.Asking questions during a procedure helps you focus and correct what you are doing.Get the help you need with your depression and jump in again.Best of luck and let us know how you get on.

[loriangel14, RN]

I have a question.When you were with the patient that fell on the floor in the bathroom why did you not go to get help? why were you near tears?

You blame the teacher for your struggles but even with other teachers you still had difficulties.You need to identify the problems before you move ahead.If you have not suceeded at the PSW level I don't think a BSN would be a good idea.

I am an RPN.I love my job.I think it was the best decision I have ever made.

[Jane0029]

Hi Loriangel14, thanks for your advice! I appreciate it...the depression issue is pretty much under control now. As for getting help for the patient...it was a difficult situation and I think my logic at the time was to say with the patient to keep him calm. Also, he was near enough to the toilet that he was sitting against it for balance, but he kept falling backwards. I was trying to prevent him from hitting his head on the floor. Again, I probably was not thinking clearly enough at the time. As for PSW this event happened on the very last day of clinical right before consolidation portion. I knew I needed to take a break and sort out somethings so I withdrew from that program. That year was very difficult for me, but I know I want to be in health care and I am a capable person. I am redoing the PSW program this year to gain confidence and clinical experience as well. My job is also helping me with that.

[Jane0029]

Just a question for you...where did you do your RPN? Thanks again for your feedback...very helpful. :)

[loriangel14, RN]

Good for you.Keep trying.Depression can be a paralyzing force that keeps you from accomplishing anything.I went to Georgian College.There were days I really thought I wasn't going to make it.

[Jane0029]

So for now I think I've decided to do it the long route....PSW to RPN to RN. It makes the most sense for me right now. It may take at least 8 years, but hey it's what I want. :) Thanks again for your advice Lori! I still would like to hear from people who are in the St. Lawrence College programs....what are they like etc....

[Jane0029]

Hi all,

I thought I would leave an update about me. I graduated from my PSW program back in January 2013 and worked the summer before getting accepted to an RPN school. Currently in first semester and I am wondering if I have made a mistake in getting back into nursing school. I enjoy my classes and I have an A average, but I dread clinical and I'm on advisement for it. I loved working as a PSW in the community, but in school I am always stressed out. I am starting to fall behind now and I failed my vital signs exam. I have to do a re-test this week so I'm going to work hard to pass. I just feel like I'm not enjoying it as much as I used to. My motivation is about zero right now and I'm starting to think nursing is not for me. I'd rather work as a PSW, but I don't want to quit school AGAIN after investing so much into it.

Any advice?

[loriangel14, RN]

Have you had any clinical placements yet or are you dreading them before they start? Being nervous is completely normal.Tell me what you are dreading exactly.