Hey Law5410,

I dont have much nursing experience. I am currently a nursing student in New York and after reading your story I had to comment. I believe that you should continue on with Nursing. You've worked so hard to get to this point so why throw it all away?? I believe that you have great nursing qualities about you that shows great compassion for others. This alone shows that you have the capability to go above and beyond your duties. Never give up, there are so many hardships and downfalls that we all face from time to time. You are very strong and I believe all you need is some inspirational words and encouragement. When you feel like giving up remember this. There are many pedestrians lives that you have saved and helped throughout your 15 years of experience. To give it all up for possible doubts is absurd. If you need someone to talk to from time to time no matter what the situation. I am here for you. If you were considering other options maybe you should look into Nursing Consulting or find an area in Nursing that you absolutely love and stick with it.

Goodluck,

MissNewYork21

Dear law54n10,

Best wishes with your studies. Hang in there. One day you will look back and realize that it was all worth it......Each set back you had can serve as an opportunity to make you stronger as a person and as a nurse. Use every event in your life to your advantage. As I like to say "go with the flow".   In my opinion: things really do happen the way they do  for a reason...It's up to each of us to make the most of those times in our lives......

I am soo happy for you going back to school.

If nursing is what you love, don't give up!  When I think of all of the set backs that went on for myself and several of my classmates, we could have easily stopped.  Some did but most hung in there.  Nursing is not the easiest career to be in, nor the easiest of classes to take but don't give up.  It is well worth it in the end!  I'm not sure what your set backs have been but my main one (besides financial) was my husband.  His fear that I would earn more than him or leave him once I finished was my biggest hurdle.  But it really worked against him as this was never my intention.  My intent was to have my career and ADD to our household, not just run.  Everytime that I was soooo tired and wanted to quit, he would do some dumb thing, like not come home for a day or 2 or spend all the money leaving me to have to get yet another part time job to get us through, and that fueled me to continue. 

I remember my first 2 weeks as a nurse and getting that first paycheck and thinking that I was so priveledged to 'get' to be a nurse, and 'they' pay me for this?!?  After all of the weeks and months and years of struggle, I 'got' to do something that I just loved, and made more money than all 3 of my part time jobs paid me and I only worked 3 days/week! 

"Don't give up 5 minutes before the miracle happens!"

Like you, I was an LPN and wanted to get my RN. Unfrotunately, life kept getting in the way. First it was getting married and then pregnant all at once, then my first husband leaving me. Needless to say, I went to school and worked . I had all my prereqs for AD RN program, and my life again took a drastic turn. I met a wonderful man from another city, and married him and moved. My credits sat for 5 years while I grew more frustrated and less challenged in LPN jobs. Finally, after being an LPN for 17 years, I went back to school .

The time will come when you will be able to complete your degree if you just stay the course and follow your dream. Believe me, I never thought I'd see RN BSN behind my name 27 years ago.

Hang in there! I was an LPN for 7 years before I got my ADN (before any LPN to ADN or BSN programs). That was in 73; tried to find a BSN program where I didn't have to take Nsg 101 all over again and wasn't successful so finally got my BS in HC Mgmt. Happy to say I started in Walden University's RN to MSN program in spring of 08 and looking to graduate with my MSN in Summer of 12!

I have been fortunate and have been teaching as adjunct faculty in a local university with my goal of doing this in the nursing program - I am getting close =)

Yes, there have been a lot of ups and down along the way, but each has made me a stronger person, a stronger nurse and a better patient advocate - isn't that why we went into Nursing because we care for our patient/s?

You can do it! Look at how far you have come...

Sue

I have been actively nursing for 21 yrs.  I have had some good jobs and some pretty crappy ones.  I am inbetween jobs right now and would love not to go back.  IEconomically I have to work.  Even with my experience I am having difficulty getting hired.  However, at this point in my career I want a laid back job where the doctor's aren't yelling, the other RNs are on break a large portion of time and where my techs truly want to help patients.It is one of the hardest jobs in the world, the responsibility is overwhelming, and my body is tired.  What I would really like to do is stay home and make jewerlry. However, there are those days when you really connect with a patient and it makes it all "sort of " worth while. 

I say to stick with it! 

I know that nationwide, nurse students fail or burn-out about 50% of the time. Of those that pass, some 50% burnout and leave the field within 5 yrs of entering it. That leaves only 25% of those that entered nursing studies sticking with it more than 5 years. 

Now, we desperately NEED more qualified personnel. I'm an RN that started as a CNA, became an EMT, did years as a military field medic, and served as an LPN. Yet, I'd gladly admit that I need the help of more experienced personnel like yourself. 

Shifting into RN will be relatively easy for you. And, you will have much more respect afforded to you than the average RN with much less experience than you. 

I do hope and pray that you will not let life's distractions and diversions pull you away from what is surely a calling for you. With 15 years of experience under your belt, you have already weathered the test of time that so many others have already failed. I applaud you for that much, and hope you will continue forward to better help those that need you. 

With your experience and insight, you will be a great trainer for all levels of nursing , no matter where you may work. In addition, you would make a much more responsive supervisor or manager, someone to serve as a link between the floor nursing staff and the upper management that know so little of what is needed to perform the job effectively. Your presence as an RN will greatly help both your colleagues and your patients.  

 I have been very encouraged by the responses to my post. As a result of the encouragements given, I've had a much better success meeting the goals that I set for my nursing studies this month.Thanks so much for all of the responses.  Much success to all of you!!

I am so convinced and I'm sticking with it. Thanks for all the good advice received.

I am actively pursuing my bachelor's in nursing. God bless!