Trying to become a nurse for 7 years

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Hi All,

I'm new to this. I'm 42. I'm looking to share hopes and dreams of becoming nurse while trying to jump over many obstacle.

Anyone who has failed a semester or two and is still trying let me know.

Thanks

Cissy

Hi all! I too am new to this. I am in a similar dilemma. I am an LVN in So. California, living in a rural town. Only one community college here, the next closest one is about 65 miles. Within the last six years or so, I returned to school to get my RN. I was aiming to do the LVN to RN option. I have had to repeat Anatomy, Physiology 3 times, and the pre-requisite Transition course two times. Originally I was going for the ADN, but after the second attempt at the transition course I had only one more chance. They have a 3 strikes rule at that college. I started into the 3rd semester and they didn't even let me attempt to finish because they said I had not turned my clinical paperwork on the specific date due and even if I did turn those in and the remaining ones there was no way I would get a 70%. I needed a 70% in clinical and 70% lecture. I had only taken one exam and it was 70%. I have had difficulty getting through school because I have 2 kids at home, with no family support (I only have mom, dad, brother and sister) 3 hours away, I suffer from severe depression that had been controlled up until Monday 3/3, I also have ADD and problems retaining new information since a car accident. I have come so far only to get kicked in the butt. These have been the most difficult years in my life. I thought I was able to finally see the end of the tunnel and would complete the program this December. I've never been a quitter but I'm so exhausted mentally. I'm 45 and have been nursing since 15 years old. First Nurse's Aide, then L.V.N. then I wanted my R.N.I don't know what to do. I feel so lost. I tried to pack all my books, nursing, sciences and all just to forget about it. I cried and cried. Couldn't do it. It's too much of who I am. Sorry about the rambling. Does anyone have any suggestions? Is there a way to challenge the boards without actually going to school? If there is what is the process? I feel so lost and worthless. I need direction. I really can't be objective right now since I'm in the dumps. I have looked at other schools that would be an hour plus away, and they don't accept students that have failed at another school. HELP!!! Thanks for letting me vent.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I hope that what I say here does not come off as negative and uninspiring. But if you look at all the factors in your situation, do you honestly see this happening for you! Sure many of us have had to overcome one or more of the obstacles you have going on in your life, but when you put them all together, I think it's fairly apparent why this is soo rough for you. I know you want it. And I know no one wants to hear 'this isn't for you', but it seems that we live in a society where we believe everything is within reach if we just keep trying. There are many people that want a life, career and education that is better, but the reality is, I believe, that we all are meant to do certain things. You've taken A & P 3 times and a 'transitions to nursing' course twice. You are suffering from depression ADD and have residual issues from an injury. This seriously may be beyond your reach, at least right now in your life. I know it is tough to hear, but maybe you need to concentrate on yourself, your family and your health.

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Specializes in RN/Hematology/Oncology/Long-termcare/SNF.

Hi peaches

Would you like to keep in closer contact through instant messaging?

Let me know

Cissy

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I think you have me confused with someone else. I'm not Peaches.

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not2late do not listen to other peoples negativity! you know what is right for you. If this is what you want go for it. if it takes you the rest of your life at least you can say I have acheived my goal.

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Specializes in Stepdown.

Hello all! I know this thread has been posted by I had to respond. I have trying to go back to school for the last 10 years. Ofcourse everyone knows that life puts stumpling blocks in your way which puts "your" dreams and goals on the back burner. Well, I'm here to say I start nursing school in September 2008. I have a couple of more months but I finally on my way!!! CLASS OF 2010

Never give up on your dreams.

Stephanie

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I'm on the long haul plan too. Quickly losing my patience... LOL

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Specializes in ICU, hospice, MS/tele, ED, corrections.

This is a reply to not2L84me's post: I, too, encourage you to not listen to any negativity about your situation. What an accomplishment it is that you are a single Mom (am I inferring that correctly?), have an LVN, and have learned to manage depression and ADD, in addition to injuries sustained from a car accident. It seems like living in a rural community, there might not be enough options and support for you, to be able to complete your RN? I realize you don't have any family support, but maybe it would be worth looking into if there is another community you and your children could move to where you could receive some support and have more options of schools to apply to? It just seems like a shame to give up on getting your RN because, in part, there is only one school in your area. Maybe they "have" to be so strict because they are the only school in your area! Where I live, in Seattle, WA, failing out of one program does not bar you from acceptance to another program. While the schools here are pretty competitive because of the shortage of nursing instructors, there are more to choose from. I'm not suggesting you move to Seattle, but, maybe if you tried to get into a situation where you had more support, even if it is hard to ask for it, it seems you would be better able to move forward. I would venture to say that because of your hardship, you probably have more than what it takes to get your RN. I know for me, sometimes my independence makes me too stubborn - I see it as a personal weakness to need support from anyone else. But that very stubbornness gets in my way quite a bit. I have no idea if this is similar to the way you feel, but if it is, maybe there is something in you that holds yourself back from actually achieving your dream? I hope you don't give up.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg, IMCU/Tele, HH/CM.

Hello everyone. My story may be inspiring but it may not. Here it goes:

When I was 18 I started working as a CNA. I started at a 4 year university with to goal of "BSN" in mind. But there were some problems in my life: I had to work 2 full time jobs to support myself and my jobless boyfriend, my boyfriend also happened to be an alcoholic drug-dealer so I had to deal with that and the druggie hooligans he brought into my house, and I was also dealing with major depression and an eating disorder.

Needless to say after 4 years of attending university part time, my GPA was 1.8, I had been kicked out 2 seperate times for a semester each due to low GPA, and there was no way in he** that I would ever get into the exclusive RN program. I had failed numerous classes, repeated and repeated and repeated.

At this point I was sick of being a CNA and I thought "maybe I shouldn't go into nursing after all". I lost hope, especially with my low GPA hindering me.

I took a year off to go with my mom, a Nursing professor, overseas to South Africa with her group of nursing students. I got a few thousand dollars as a stipend to live off of in exchange for being an "assistant" -- doing the budget and other paperwork, driving students to clinical sites, etc.

This opened my eyes. Seeing nurses in South Africa, the situation of health care there, and how the patients viewed nurses really opened my eyes. My vigor for nursing was renewed and I doubled my efforts upon my return to the US.

I applied to a technical college, took some classes like A&P, psych, etc. Passed but with Cs -- I was trying hard though. Still had to work 2 jobs to support myself and go to school at the same time.

When I applied to that nursing program they told me no. I applied to every nursing program in the state of Minnesota and was waitlisted at every single program. Except one, an LPN program in a small town on an Indian Reservation waaaaay up north by the Canadian boarder.

I took my chances.

Graduated in 3 semesters with a 3.15 GPA.

During PN school I was hit with a massive depression and was hospitalized for 2 weeks. I stayed in the program.

I immediately got into the *NEW* ASN program, purely out of luck. I was waitlisted at number 10 on the list, and got in. The only reason is because it is a new program, not many applicants. There is no way that I would have ever gotten in otherwise.

I count my blessings every day. I am going to graduate in May with my ASN.

BUT I do worry every day that I will mess up and something will go wrong, that I'll fail and be kicked out. But I keep pusing myself, keep going, hoping that I will make it. I still struggle with depression, and I think school-related stress is a huge factor in that.

I hope to get into a BSN program and eventally become a nurse in the military. I want to push myself to exceed my expectations of myself and be better than I started out thinking I could be.

And you can too. It just takes a little bit of determination and perserverance.

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Specializes in LDRP.

I went back to school at the age of 29 w/a GPA of 1.9 and a GED (screwed around a lot in high school & my 1st college attempt). I studied hard, got A's and B's in my pre-reqs and was able to get my GPA up to a 2.5, the absolute minimum for the nursing program.

It was a miracle the day I got accepted. Once in school, I worked really, really hard (got all A's and B's). We made the sacrafice of my not working so I could go to school while still taking care of my kids. My hubby put his dream of grad school on the back burner so I could go back to school!

It was financially difficult, emotionally and physically exhausting, and one of the best experiences of my life because I grew up! I learned that HARD WORK is what makes someone a nurse. It doesnt stop after graduation, either. I graduated at the age of 35...and got my cumulative GPA up to a 3.0 (nursing school GPA of 3.4)! I am starting an RN-BSN program this summer and I want to teach!

IMHO, the KEY ingredients to becoming a nurse:

1. Patience

2. Hard work

3. Support

4. Health (mental and physical)

5. Prayer!!!! (sometimes its the only thing that gets you through!)

I have seen lots of people never get into school, fail out, or drop out because they were missing one of the above elements. In other words, get your life in order, get some support, work hard and yes, you CAN do it!

Best wishes!:nurse:

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Well I've only failed one class and I've failed the pre-entrance exam for the lpn twice. Does that count? LOL:nuke:

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