I recently failed Block 1 of nursing school at a community college. It was devastating. I took the first nursing course along with an Anatomy and Physiology II class (BIO202). I got a B in my BIO202 class, but I got a D in my nursing class. I only needed 5% more on my overall exams score to pass the nursing class. I was actually confident I passed the final. But after I took the final exam I received a call from my instructor informing me that I didn’t pass the class. It hurt even more considering that I was on a 2.5 year waitlist to get into Block 1 of nursing school.
I’m a CNA, a single mom with a 3-year-old son, and I’m 33 years old. I’m originally a graphic designer, but I decided to change my career to nursing when I had my son. I worked as a CNA for part of the time that I was on the waitlist to get into an associate’s degree RN program. When I finally got accepted into Block 1 of the program, I quit my CNA job halfway into the semester so I could devote more time to studying. But in hindsight, I didn’t utilize my time wisely, and I didn’t know how to study for nursing school. The tests were a whole new way of testing that I wasn’t familiar with, where it’s majority application questions. The “select all that apply” questions killed my exams scores. I was honestly stressed and anxious all the time. I lacked sleep, got sick often, as I tried to balance my son, my job, my BIO class, my clinicals and clinical assignments, the practicums, the research papers, my boyfriend, and my awkward roommate situation. I scrambled for some study time everyday, but I just didn’t make that 3-4 hour block of focused study time that I now know I should have done.
I keep debating in my mind between whether or not I want to get back on the waitlist to try the RN course again. I sometimes think I’m not cut out for nursing school at all, that I should just completely change my major to design and go back to doing graphic design for my career. I even considered changing my major to finance or something business-related. I am totally in limbo right now, because I am afraid to try for the RN course and fail again.
I’ve taken personality tests, a career assessment, researched those online lists that show “top paying associate’s degree jobs” to see if I should totally go a different route. I have so much doubt right now. I question my motivation for becoming a nurse — is it for the money or for what I will be doing in my job? As a CNA, I’ve worked with RNs and it made me realize that I want to increase my knowledge so that I can engage with patients with more nursing skills and abilities. Money is also an important deciding factor, because I don’t want to spend money on an education that isn’t worth it, so I honestly have considered starting salary when I graduate as part of my decision.
Some days, I’m certain that I want to be an RN and that I’ll get back on the waitlist. It will be another 2-3 year wait. I already looked into other routes, like public and private colleges in my state, but they are all too expensive, and I don’t want to add too much debt to my existing student loans. Other days, I’m not certain I want to be an RN, because I feel it would take too long.
I don’t know. I pray for a clear answer. What do you think? Do you think I should try again for nursing school and get back on the waitlist? Or do you think I should try for something else?
Thanks,
Anne
S.L. Page says
Anne,
I’m so sorry to hear of your past struggles, as well as your current frustration of what path to take in your career. I know these big decisions can be hard to make, and it can be frustrating knowing whether or not the time and money spent will pay off. I’ll do my very best to offer you my advice and perspective.
First, just let me say that as a new mother to a six-month-old, parenting is tough! Considering that you attempted to go into nursing school with a young child/baby, plus working, plus battling sickness, plus living in a dorm…wow. That’s pretty much impossible for any person. Things are just beginning to get back to normal for me, and some days it is still hard being a parent while managing other things. My husband and I are still quite sleep deprived, too.
I graduated with honors in nursing school, and while I did work part-time throughout most of it, I didn’t have the extra task of managing a baby. If I were in your shoes, I think I would have struggled just as much, if not more. That was a large load to take on, and I can sympathize with you when you talk about the lack of sleep and other things. My heart also goes out to your hard work as a single mother (a full-time job in itself).
Just judging by your situation while you were in nursing school, I think you were overstretched. Just about anyone in your situation would have struggled to pass. I know I would have.
The fact that you are a CNA says a lot. You’re already quite familiar with the nursing process and healthcare environment, which in puts you a step ahead (in my opinion). I’ve often said to people at my work that if you can be a CNA, you can be a nurse. Being a CNA is a lot of hard work, and it takes a special person to do that job. I think being a CNA is a great primer for nursing, and if you can meet the physical demands of being a CNA, you can be a nurse.
As far as mental ability, I don’t think your struggles in nursing school were based on an intellectual problem. Your question was very well written, and you seem like a very intelligent person. I just think the combination of your sicknesses, adapting with a new child, and your work made you absolutely exhausted and deficient on time and energy (and I can totally relate with that!).
To succeed in nursing school, you have to put time into studying regularly. So if you decide to go back, try to make sure you’ll be able to set aside regular time for it. I think that since your son is getting older now, everything may be a bit easier to manage.
I went on maternity leave for 4 months, and it was a struggle at first when I went back. Now things are getting better, and each month parenting gets a little easier.
I’d definitely recommend you either cut back on work dramatically, or only attend school part-time, if you decide to go back. There are only so many hours in a given day, and it is impossible to do everything without something (work/school/your son/your health) being sacrificed.
I’d also get study guides/practice quizzes for any and every class you struggle in, and be sure to have a good support system in place.
An online program may be worth looking into, but you’ll have to make sure it is accredited and accepted by your State Board of Nursing (some online schools are legit, others aren’t). However, it seems that you’ve already researched school thus far.
It’s hard to go wrong with a nursing degree. Most places/industries will start you at a competitive salary. There are lots of different specialties, so you’ll probably be able to find an area of nursing that you’d enjoy. Also, it still has steady demand, and the BLS projects that it will for many years to come.
Even if you decide to pursue a different path, employers of all types will respect a degree/license like that. Also, it’s one of the best paying degrees you can get with just an ADN (associate’s level education), in my opinion.
Ultimately, you’ll have to trust your gut. If you feel pulled into nursing, perhaps you should give it a shot. If not, then I’m sure you’ll do great at whatever you decide to pursue. If you don’t choose nursing, perhaps a business degree would be the next best option.
I hope some of what I wrote above helps. I said a prayer that God leads you in the right direction before submitting this. I think that everything will work itself out over time.
God bless you and your son,
Sarah