My Sad story

Nursing Students Excelsior

Published

OK here is my story, sucks. I am an LPN and up until February I was working at an hospital on a med/surg floor. I took the CPNE in November 2013 and failed. I registered for the test in December of 2013 having to take out a loan. Single father so money is extremely tight. In February I get called to HR and am told that since the hospital is going to an all RN model I am being let go. Nine years gone. I did receive a compensation package. I decided that I would take advantage of my time off my studying like crazy for the CPNE. I took the CPNE in July and passed. I can not afford the Excelsior graduation fee or to sit for the boards. I can not even count how many applications I have filled out. Too come so far and not finish because of money is upsetting. My savings are gone. Every penny is accounted for. I have called the financial aid office and they can not help. Now if I do get a job as an LPN do I hide the fact that I will be getting my RN very soon? They may not hire me because they know I will be leaving soon. I really don't know what to do. I pray nobody else has to go through this. I feel that I am of no use to anyone. I had a perfect work record with no patient complaints or write ups. This sucks.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I would keep it to yourself. Then offer them the chance to hire you as an RN once you pass the boards.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

I 'kinda' was in a similar situation when I made it to the point of the CPNE. I was in a community college using student loans (classes are much cheaper locally). But the amount they gave me per semester was more than the cost of classes by $3000. I used the excess that was refunded to me to pay for my CPNE....well, to repay my brother....and the excess was used for daily essentials because my 'then' husband was very non-supportive. As soon as I received that refund, I immediately withdrew from the community college and focused on the CPNE.

I didn't lose my job, but my hours were cut to one day per pay period, so what's the difference, right? Push come to shove and there is no one to help, go take a couple of art classes. This is how I funded my entire EC ASN program (taking easy, no-brainer community classes for the refund so that I could pay for and my focus could remain on those EC exams) because you know the exams were not eligible for financial aid. In the end, unbeknownst to me at the time, that system I had going there practically fulfilled all the general education requirements for EC's BSN program. Killed three birds with one stone!;)

I would start the ball rolling with that, if I were you, and if you're fortunate to find an LPN position, take it, forget the community courses, and only mention the RN situation if during the interview, they ask about any future goals. I would still limit the information provided, though, because it may be rather difficult to find an RN position.

I'm sorry you are going through this. It's tough in today's nursing world with all these changes. But at least you're not at day one of the EC program or facing those 16-week courses. Good luck to you!

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Thanks.

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One problem you are going to run into is that most applications ask for your education level, a list of schools attended, and your major at each school. Failing to list something accurately on your application is grounds for termination from any employer in America. So when you show up one day as a brand new RN without having listed EC on your application, you've just shown them that they have every reason to fire you for beginning your employment with a lie by omission.

Have you started looking for LPN jobs anywhere else? Have you thought about other jobs outside of nursing? Are you a good customer at your bank? If so, go and explain your position to a loan officer, they may be able to work out a loan to help you finish these last requirements in order to get your license and get a job. Do you have anything of value that is non-essential that you can sell? Do you have family that can loan you the money? I know pride sometimes gets in the way of that but you have obligations that are more important than pride.

Have you tried going up the chain of command at EC to see if they'll work with you?

Either way, your situation really sucks, and I'm sorry you're in it, but this will pass and you will get through it.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

You WILL finish. Just tell yourself that. Have you thought about creating a GoFundMe page? Google that if you don't know what it is.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Yeah, but until he pays that graduation fee, he won't be issued that ASN degree. So, he will have to select the 'some college' option, I believe. EC won't confer the degree until ALL fees are paid.

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Yeah, but until he pays that graduation fee, he won't be issued that ASN degree. So, he will have to select the 'some college' option, I believe. EC won't confer the degree until ALL fees are paid.

Just about every application will have a disclaimer in it that clearly states falsifications and omissions are grounds for termination. Whether he has the degree or not, he's obligated to list his attendance of EC, especially in the part about job related education or training. Whether he has the degree or not is irrelevant, he still attended EC and from an ethical stand point, should list it on any applications he fills out. From a legal standpoint, he can actually lose certain rights to sue his employer for wrongful termination if it is discovered he falsified his resume or application. It's not really a grey area and numerous courts have issued rulings based exactly on what I'm repeating.

He's better off telling the truth from the start as according to the story he has related to us, he's done absolutely nothing wrong that he needs to omit.

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I do list my education on all my applications; when they ask I tell them the truth; I haven't finished yet. I do know that lying on an application can be a reason for termination. What really amazes me it that after you fill out applications 99% of them go unanswered. i have gone on interviews and they tell me that I either have too much experience or not enough. Lots of office MD's want office experience. I have actually started looking looking into non-nursing positions. The reason I posted this is just to vent and get it off my chest. It really is embarrassing and demoralizing. I want to thank you everyone for the kind words and advice.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Don't be embarrassed. This is a bump in the road.

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I do list my education on all my applications; when they ask I tell them the truth; I haven't finished yet. I do know that lying on an application can be a reason for termination. What really amazes me it that after you fill out applications 99% of them go unanswered. i have gone on interviews and they tell me that I either have too much experience or not enough. Lots of office MD's want office experience. I have actually started looking looking into non-nursing positions. The reason I posted this is just to vent and get it off my chest. It really is embarrassing and demoralizing. I want to thank you everyone for the kind words and advice.

Like Pixie said, don't be embarrassed. This isn't your fault and it really is a bump in the road. I know that's hard to think about in times of stress, but there is a lot of truth to it.

At this point, take whatever job you can get that will allow you to pay your bills and save enough for EC's fees. Cancel your cable, your internet, every extraneous expense that you don't actually have to have, save as much as you can as quickly as you can.

Have you gone back to the bank where you got your first student loan? It's in their best interest to extend you another small loan to get you through these last few expenses so you can get your license and begin to practice.

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You WILL finish. Just tell yourself that. Have you thought about creating a GoFundMe page? Google that if you don't know what it is.

I was just going to say this. People have gotten so much money from that site for less problems than the OP listed.

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