The Winds have Changed

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Specializes in Onco, palliative care, PCU, HH, hospice.

Wow, it's amazing how sometimes things just don't work out how you planned. Here I am 4 months out of LPN school had started working on my general courses for my associate's degree while working full time, and this past week I dropped all but one of my classes. It's just too much for me to handle right now, the past two years I've worked my but off first to become a CNA then working as a CNA to get through LPN school and I just need a break. On top of this the enviroment at work has become unbearably toxic, I now understand why they say never to make friends with the people you work with... So, I have put in several applications at neighboring hospitals, one on PCU one on a med/surg oncology unit, one on a psych unit, and one on a regular med/surg unit. I guess I'm just feeling down because I feel like I'm a failure for not going on and getting my associate's now, and for not being happy at my current job... I just need some support, here I thought I had my whole career planned out, I'd work on this Medical unit for 2 years while going to RN school then transfer to a critical care unit, etc. And now do to personal issues and things out of my control I'm having to completely change my plan, has anyone been in a similar situation, is there light at the end of the tunnel? :o

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

I can so relate to what your saying. I started college at a university in 1991 to become a BSN and ended up with a BS in Recreational Therapy because I was not devoted and focused enough to stick with the BSN. In 2001 I went to community college and got my Human Resource/business management Certificate. In 2004 started back in school to get my RN. After 2 years of BS to jump through hoops to try to get into the program, I was successful and ended up in the LPN program. Even though I aspire to go higher, I hold on to my aspirations and focus on the moment. You will get what you need but start out slow and set realistic expectations. Take 1-2 classes a semester. Focus on a job you like and go from there. Just because you may not start back and get your RN next fall does not make you a failure. You will get there. One step at a time.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I do think that you may be better off taking one class at a time. You illustrated it yourself; you transitioned from CNA to LPN. And, you have not settled down with working. I tend to think it is a bit different to work as a nurse already, while trying to pursue a higher degree in nursing, because you have to protect the license you currently have. Dotting your "I"s and crossing your "T"s is not easy when you work in a toxic environment. One saying that meant a great deal is "You wanna make God laugh? Tell Him your plans". I follow that catchy phrase all the time, because in some ways, the Creator tells us to slow down and smell the roses.

Take one class a semester, consider seeking for another position and give your brain a break. You'd be surprized of how a clearer mind will make you create better plans. Good luck and relax! You'll be an RN if you really want to.

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When I get super stressed out (which happens quite often) these are the calming things i repeat in my head and sometimes out loud!:

LIFE is what happens when you're busy making plans.

Nothing in life is constant but change.

Life is NOT a wheel and I am NOT a hamster, and my fav chill out mantra:

It's best to be as the young willow, swaying in the winds of turmoil than to be as the old oak, branches ridgid against the storm.

Good luck. You are NOT alone.

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Specializes in Onco, palliative care, PCU, HH, hospice.

Thank you all so much for your support. Sorry it took me so long to reply, I was hospitilized for the past few days which has caused me yet another setback. I talked to my manager today who is wonderful and very supportive but I'm probably going to be written up for missing work this past week because I haven't been a nurse long enough here to have the PTO/sick to cover my abscence and my hospital has adopted a new super strict policy about missing work, basically unless you have FMLA or die you're not allowed to miss. What a horrible past couple weeks this has been, the only light at the end of the tunnel is that I have a job interview next week for a job on PCU at a neighboring hospital. Thanks again for all your support.

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Hang in there, MedicalLPN.

And stop being so hard on yourself. The transition from CNA/student to nurse is huge. Give yourself a break, relax this semester, and allow yourself some time to regroup.

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I am just beginning LPN school, but I do understand how you feel. My plan had been to do RN, but in getting ready to apply, I realized it would just be too much for me now.

So what? Right now all I care about is getting my LPN then working for a year or two. After the break from school, I may start taking one or two classes a semester, but I am not rushing myself. I may not bother at all in the end, who knows? Either way, a nurse is a nurse...

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I'm probably going to be written up for missing work this past week because I haven't been a nurse long enough here to have the PTO/sick to cover my abscence

That's sad. I mean, here you are hospitalized and that isn't good enough? I am sorry. Maybe you will find a batter job soon though! :)

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