stressed already.. highscshooler.

mindlor · Sep 1, 2009

High School? Stressed???

Here is my advice....

Go back pack in Europe for a few years...relax....

Whats the rush?

nrsgnerd · Sep 1, 2009

I have met some wonderful LPN's, however, alot of hospitals are getting very technologically advanced these days and do want to hire RN's over LPN's. You can also call and talk to the nurse recruiter at a hospital you'd like to work at and ask them if they hire LPN's in the ER so you know where you stand. RN's make quite a bit more money and the schooling can be from 3-4 years depending on if you get your Associates Degree-RN (3yrs) or your Bachelors Degree-RN (4yrs). there are some programs that let you become an LPN and then you go to work while doing additional classes to get your Associates or Bachelors (some schools offer a majority of the classes online as well). LPN's are hired quite often in Nursing Homes or Home Health and they are needed. My suggestion to you would be to set your ultimate goal as becoming an RN after you get your LPN or looking into a program that you can go straight to becoming an RN. You'll be restricted on what you can do with an LPN is my point but it is a great place to start if you just want to get done as quickly as possible with school so you can go to work.

As far as stress, school will be stressful and there is no sense in doing it so fast that you barely absorb the material. Nursing gives you the power to heal or kill a person so its very important that when you do begin your program that you give it your all and not overextend yourself to the point you make yourself sick and miserable. Not to mention alot of surviving nursing school is having good coping skills so if you go into it already freaked out, its gonna be twice as hard for you. So relax, take a deep breath and tackle things one at a time. Read a good book on optimism or positive coping skills and above all else, pray. My best to you!! :nurse:

sleepyRN2 · Sep 1, 2009

if you have the time, money and the courage to do some traveling, i achingly suggest that you do it. you'll be glad that you heed this advice as one responder here has suggested. for one, you get some rest, and perhaps the best of all about travel is that it does a lot to one's thinking and changes the outlook on life and future in general, subliminally. it also gives you the opportunity to get yourself immersed in a different culture other than the one your familiar with, meet excellent people or travelers like yourself in the process. once you are finished and ready to go back to school, you'll be more refreshed, relaxed and the experienced lingers forever on, hopefully molding you into becoming a better person. because having been exposed to a culture other than yours makes you become a better nurse, i.e. you've more deeper understanding and tolerant of people around you.

SaraFL · Sep 1, 2009

Right, well those of us in the "real world" can't go backpack in Europe and instead need to focus on making money and working toward a degree LOL (granted, I graduated high school over 10 years ago, but I'm just thinking back).

I do think you should try to relax somewhat, it's not good to be stressed out, you may be even more stressed out doing your pre-req's, and especially more stressed doing your nursing courses.

So, if I understand what you wrote correctly, after you get out of HS, you'll still have 9 more months of LPN stuff. If you are generally a good student, I don't think you'll have a problem with pre-req's and LPN if you are not working. If you are working in addition, well, you may have some problems. Also keep in mind, once you get your LPN, you'll likely be working in a nursing home-type of environment, as hospitals and other places are starting to switch to RN's. So if you don't mind doing that type of work until you graduate with your RN, it might be a good way to get some experience. Otherwise, take your pre-req's and get your RN first. You might want to sit down with an advisor and figure things out (as details change according to schools and your individual circumstances) and see which route would make more sense, both in money you could earn/spend, and timewise.

Katnip, RN · Sep 1, 2009

I think you're pushing yourself far to hard. Back off a bit. Enjoy highschool. You won't get any of this time back. Use the time to actually live. So, it takes another year to get a degree. The last thing you need is to burn out before you even start.

forest.red18 · Sep 2, 2009

Thanks for the advice. As for backpacking in Europe its not going to happen. But it was a good suggestion. But truthfully I want to work in hospitals and isk about nursing homes. They make me sad.. but I'll try. If it gets me better in the nursing field.

JennNJ83 · Sep 2, 2009

I think you're pushing yourself far to hard. Back off a bit. Enjoy highschool. You won't get any of this time back. Use the time to actually live. So, it takes another year to get a degree. The last thing you need is to burn out before you even start.

I agree, O what I'd give to get those years back, even freshman and sophmore year of college :)

sleepyRN2 · Sep 2, 2009

so what you are saying is that backpacking in the real world isn't an allowed option over making money and earning a degree. one can certainly wait, especially of doing the latter over the former---and still be able to do both, as in no matter what the order is as long as it leads to both being accomplished, eventually. the concept of travel was brought up, in this case, so as to alleviate stress: it is a thought worth considering. for it actually affords the young guy some time off from thinking about school and such, and this time off allows for certain amount of rejuvenation. i am really hard pressed in believing that you (sarafl) automatically would discount something as travel for someone as young as this person, who can greatly benefit from the experience.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Sep 2, 2009

I highly doubt the OP can afford backpacking in Europe, sounds like she's trying to become self-sufficient as early as possible (I give major kudos to anyone working in HS, I did it too). I don't recall having the kinda cash to backpack in Europe, let alone get the car maintenance I needed when I was 18.

If you're already going to be getting a lot of credit for your LVN in HS, you might as well do the extra 9 months to finish post-HS. If nothing else, it's a job to fall back on if times get tough. It may help you get into nursing school for your RN, and it will definitely give you an idea of what nursing is like.

Now is the time to explore different career avenues, don't commit to anything just yet! I remember being a junior in high school and I was so stressed out on trying to pick a career, just try to think of the certain classes you enjoy the most and activities you like to do.

Good luck to you!

SaraFL · Sep 2, 2009

Thank you Nicki, I agree.

sleepystudentnurse, if she or anyone else is able to go backpacking in Europe - more power to them! It's a great thing to be able to travel and see the world but I would wager that the majority of people (not ALL, but most) can not afford to do that. From what I read into the OP's situation, I'm betting she's one of those who cannot. Please don't take offense to my "real world" comment, I was just joking. Travel is a valid suggestion, just not an option for a lot of people. :)

forest.red18 · Sep 4, 2009

Yes, NickiLaughs I will be getting college credit for my LPN class in school. Backpacking is to much for me. Although I will be going to Canada just to relax before all work comes loose after high school, but that's a road trip. I'm going to try and give it a go maybe. I'm just going to see how LPN works out for me. and yes travel isn't that big of an option for me.