So very very frustrated!

Published

I have been an LPN for 17 years and was laid off from my corporate nursing position last August. I am a single mom with 5 children.

I decided to go for my RN because it needs to be done and I have educational and career aspirations beyond where I am.

I *just* missed the Fall 2011 semester by a couple days. :( So couldn't start pre-reqs until the Intercession.

So far I have Nutrition complete. I'm in a hybrid english class which meets both Eng 101 and Eng 102 requirements. Biology 100 which I need for A&P I-II and a remedial math which I need to meet the math requirements. I have As in all the classes.

I turned down an opportunity to go to Smith in order to attend this program because I *have* to finish my RN ASAP. Unemployment won't last forever and I have mouths to feed. I was invited into the Honors Colloquia class and have to turn it down in order to get in as many of the pre-reqs as I can before the application deadline of Feb 1st 2013.

I attended a mandatory nursing information session and it all collapsed on my head. No pre-reqs that are "in process" will be considered. There is no essay portion of the application. There is nothing that allows us to stand out as individuals in the admission process. All As, all pre-reqs and medical experience. Period. And of course, unless I obtained my LPN at THEIR school, no advanced placement.

I have had 4 different advisors telling me what I should be doing and all of them failed to mention that my LPN experience and education mean absolutely nothing in terms of placement in the program. It will take me 3 years to complete a 2 year degree program, not to mention the 18 months already invested in my LPN. I have to start at fundamentals. Not to mention that it will be impossible to complete all the pre-reqs before the application deadline.

I have Intro to Psych and Soc online this summer, because my children will be out of school and I can't be in class 6 hours a day, 4 days a week.

In the Fall I am registered for A&P I, Microbiology and Math 095. Human Development during the Intercession. I plan to take A&P II and statistics in the spring, which is too late for application. So I'd have to wait ANOTHER year to apply.

I have no opposition to starting at the beginning and going back to total care and I prefer nursing that way in general. I was at the top in my LPN program so I just don't see why I have to pay for and repeat what I already know. You aren't a successful LPN for 17 years unless you know the fundamentals. ;) Having to dumb myself down after I've accomplished working as a Supervisor, an MDS Coordinator and corporate nurse just seems wrong to me. It seems wrong that a program would ask that of an LPN.

More frustrating than that is this pre-requisite timeline. Half of the nursing program is these pre-reqs. After ALL of them are taken, there is only an 8 credit clinical and a 1 credit pharm course per semester. I wouldn't even qualify for full-time student status. If these courses are part of the program, why are they considered pre-reqs? PLUS, their own application says they aren't "required" for admission but at the Info session she said someone who had completed them all already would be considered before someone who hadn't. That's implied "requirement" to me.

I could go to school in Myrtle Beach and complete my RN in 9 months after pre-reqs are done but I can't leave my house and kids! So now I'm looking into Connecticut bridge programs since the "bridge" programs in Massachusetts only remove the first semester requirements.

I don't want to give up my goal but they just make so difficult to try and get ahead. If I'm going to invest 3 years in school, why would I settle for an ADN, when in the same amount of time I could get my BSN?! Why would anyone do that?!

I thought I had the path laid out and to have to start over again is overwhelming. Especially because I don't know who to trust in terms of the best way to accomplish it.

On top of that I have a young son newly diagnosed with Type I diabetes, one emotional and dramatic 'tween, a 6 year old diva, a grumbly 14 year old and a 16 year old with her first boyfriend! :) Also a house to take care of, a dog who thinks she's a person and a saintly boyfriend. The balance of all of this is so precarious that the slightest variance will cause upheaval for all of us. Obviously, I've built in some wiggle room for the kids them being kids and all ;) , but this school thing has really thrown the wrench!

I have so many people depending on me and I feel every ounce of the pressure which I put into my work. Failure is not an option, but I first have to have the opportunity!

And while venting doesn't solve the immediate problem, it sure does help to get it out there!! Phew! Thanks for reading if you made it this far!

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helenahandbasket: Why are you putting yourself thru this much stress. Just go thru Excelsior college --study at home--and you can be done in a year or so---some classes on line and others at a testing site. Week0end clinical at the end. You are motivated and all your credits from 17 years ago STILL transfer to EXcelsior. just go to Excelsior college.edu and check it out---Linda

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Specializes in Critical Care, Administration, Education.

It is good ot vent!

I would look for an alternative program. Online maybe? Remember that no matter how the progam may treat you, you bring a lot of experience with you!!

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Specializes in med-surg,sa,breast & cervical ca.

Excelsior didn't accept my old pre-reqs. I have to take them all over-or test out via excelsior exams (which I am working on). Mine are 20 yr.s old. All they accepted was my psychology.

They have changed their program a bit, but I do agree if you still have to work, take care of the kids, home etc-it's still probably the best route to go.

My concern is getting back to good study habites-it's been a long time!

~Ms. Piggy

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