Starting the LPN-RN program tomorrow and I'm sooo stressed out!

Nursing Students LPN-RN

Published

My story of getting to this point is so long it's pathetic. I had almost given up on going back for my RN, and had even started looking into other areas of healthcare. I kept feeling, though, like I had unfinished business in nursing. I had put in an application for advanced placement LPN-RN over 2 years ago (and because of life--new baby, moving, etc. I hadn't followed up on how soon I could start).

In December, on a whim, I figured to just call and see what's up with my application. I figured I would be told to keep checking back for a spot. I had planned to leave my job in Jan/Feb 2013 regardless, and was looking forward to spending some time home with my kids. I also planned to get the last 2-3 BSN prereqs done in 2013. Well to my surprise, I was invited to start the 2nd block of the nursing program! After scrambling to arrange for a sitter and several back-up sitters, getting health documents, books, etc. I'm finally starting tomorrow.

Now the reality of it all is setting in and I have a wicked headache! My schedule is not even so bad: Tue/Wed labs and lecture for about 3-4 hours and 10 hour clinicals on Saturdays. I guess I'm remembering the M-F schedule and grueling LPN program and I'm just so scared right now. I know I can do this, but now I'm second-guessing myself on whether or not I made the right decision. I keep telling myself it's only 3 semesters. I'm just reaching out and hoping someone else knows this feeling or can provide some much-needed words of encouragement.:unsure:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am going to start my last semester of my LPN to RN program next Tuesday (graduate in May!). I found that the RN program to be less stressful than my LPN program. I think its because my LPN program was M-F 8 hrs a day for 15 months with none of the traditional college breaks and vacations. It was also a very fast paced, semi self-taught program. I was constantly on full speed. With my RN program I attend class on 2 days a week (3 hrs per day) and my clinicals are 2 days a week. So I have a lot more 'free' time than I did during LPN school. Having already been through the LPN program I was fully aware of the need to be organized and time efficient (I am married with 2 children and I work full time). So getting back into the swing of school and the time constraints was pretty easy.

I think that LPN school was a bit tougher only because then I didn't know what I didn't know and everything was pretty much brand new. Already working as an LPN has made clinicals in RN school much easier as I've already perfected many of the skills/tasks that we are doing in clinicals. I'm much more at ease with patients, families and doctors than my fellow students.

If you got through LPN school you should do fine with the LPN to RN. Best of luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am going to start my last semester of my LPN to RN program next Tuesday (graduate in May!). I found that the RN program to be less stressful than my LPN program. I think its because my LPN program was M-F 8 hrs a day for 15 months with none of the traditional college breaks and vacations. It was also a very fast paced, semi self-taught program. I was constantly on full speed. With my RN program I attend class on 2 days a week (3 hrs per day) and my clinicals are 2 days a week. So I have a lot more 'free' time than I did during LPN school. Having already been through the LPN program I was fully aware of the need to be organized and time efficient (I am married with 2 children and I work full time). So getting back into the swing of school and the time constraints was pretty easy.

I think that LPN school was a bit tougher only because then I didn't know what I didn't know and everything was pretty much brand new. Already working as an LPN has made clinicals in RN school much easier as I've already perfected many of the skills/tasks that we are doing in clinicals. I'm much more at ease with patients, families and doctors than my fellow students.

If you got through LPN school you should do fine with the LPN to RN. Best of luck to you.

Thank you CT Pixie!! I feel much better after reading your response! I'm more than sure that the LPN program comparison is making me needlessly worry.

I am hoping that my 8 years LPN experience will make me feel more confident this time around.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wonderful to hear ladies. I think it's so awesome when women uplift one another. It amazes me how complete strangers can bond this way... I recall LPN school being very demanding as well. I have 4 semesters to go to get my RN but this 1st semester I have no clinicals because of me being a LPN. I'm just taking Math of Dosage, LPN to RN transition and Physical Assessment. I am also married with 2 children and I was bumped from full time to part time employment. I felt like I couldn't do this and this wasn't the right time... I'm so glad that I found my focus. I wish you ladies luck on all your endeavors and I'm sure we'll all do just fine.

-Camy

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Wonderful to hear ladies. I think it's so awesome when women uplift one another. It amazes me how complete strangers can bond this way... I recall LPN school being very demanding as well. I have 4 semesters to go to get my RN but this 1st semester I have no clinicals because of me being a LPN. I'm just taking Math of Dosage, LPN to RN transition and Physical Assessment. I am also married with 2 children and I was bumped from full time to part time employment. I felt like I couldn't do this and this wasn't the right time... I'm so glad that I found my focus. I wish you ladies luck on all your endeavors and I'm sure we'll all do just fine.

-Camy

It really helps knowing that someone else is feeling the same way about doing the LPN-RN. We can absolutely do this! Kinda nice not to have clinicals for a semester huh? I wish you all the success with your program!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

I just finished LPN-RN, I graduated this past december. I am about to take NCLEX next week. I had those same types of reservations about completing the program. It was only 3 semesters and it goes by very fast. We had class thurs nights and clinicals on the weekends days or mon/tue nights. I also worked full time. Just keep your eye on the prize!!!

At first I couldnt see the light at the end of the tunnel, but then it was over and now I still cant believe I am done! If you got through the LPN program this will be much easier. You know exactly what to expect and just think of it as building upon your great knowledge and skills as an LPN and taking on more responsibility-like a promotion. You got this girl!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I just finished LPN-RN, I graduated this past december. I am about to take NCLEX next week. I had those same types of resevations about completing the program. It was only 3 semesters and it goes by very fast. We had class thurs nights and clinicals on the weekends days or mon/tue nights. I also worked full time. Just keep your eye on the prize!!!

At first I couldnt see the light at the end of the tunnel, but then it was over and now I still cant believe I am done! If you got through the LPN program this will be much easier. You know exactly what to expect and just think of it as building upon your great knowledge and skills as an LPN and takng on more responsibility-like a promotion. You got this girl!

That's awesome! :-). Congrats on finishing the RN program and I'm more than sure you'll do just fine on the NCLEX! I'm now much more focused after getting past the first few days and learning more about my schedule and the syllabus. I'm in my zone now!

I'm hoping the time flies by for me as it did for you. Your kind words are so appreciated! :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

Thank you. I hope in about a week, my long nursing school journey will be concluded. Good luck to you.:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HIV, Psych, GI, Hepatology, Research.

It's so good when our peers gather to uplift rather than to bring down. I love this forum. Good luck. You can and will do it. Look at the big picture. It's such a small portion of your life that you will have to endure juggling school and work and family. If you have this option of quitting work while in school all the better and yay for you. I have to work full time while completing my bridge program to RN. I just started this month and I know it will be trying at times but I am ready to push on full steam ahead.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It's so good when our peers gather to uplift rather than to bring down. I love this forum. Good luck. You can and will do it. Look at the big picture. It's such a small portion of your life that you will have to endure juggling school and work and family. If you have this option of quitting work while in school all the better and yay for you. I have to work full time while completing my bridge program to RN. I just started this month and I know it will be trying at times but I am ready to push on full steam ahead.

I'm finding the support here to be an amazing resource! You are totally right when you said that this is a small portion of my life. I keep thinking and saying the very same thing.

When I think I can't do this, I start thinking about how I will feel if I don't do this. It would most likely be one of my biggest regrets, because I've wanted to be an RN for so long. Whether you work or not, where there's a will there is a way! I know of a lady that was newly divorced with 4 really young kids that put herself through a BSN program while working--because she had too and she wanted a better life for herself and her kids.

We will both get through this. :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HIV, Psych, GI, Hepatology, Research.

Positive thoughts bring about positive actions :-) Have a great week.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

Currently a LPN student have way through a ten month program just wanted to know what LPN-RN program you ladies are attending

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment