Need advice please

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Specializes in ED, Long-term care, MDS, doctor's office.

I need some impartial advice please...I am 47 years old..I started as a CNA, then I was an LPN for 17 years..I completed an Associate Degree & passed my RN boards in May 2010...Like so many others on this forum, I have been unable to secure a hospital position...Most all of my LPN experience has been in LTC (working on skilled care units) and my only RN experience is mostly clerical (MDS)...I did work in telemetry my 1st year as LPN, but that was almost 20 years ago...It took me 6 years (working full-time and school part-time) to get my RN, since I had to repeat all of the general education courses (didn't transfer from my LPN program because of too much time had passed)...I want to continue toward my BSN, but I am 2 classes short of being accepted into the BSN nursing core program..I have enrolled in a community college for these 2 classes beginning in January 2012..I expect that I can complete the BSN by the end of 2013 or early 2014 (I will be 50 then)...I will have to go further in debt to pursue the BSN & my husband thinks it will be throwing good money after bad, since I am making no more money than I did as an LPN...And, it seems that my choices are limited to LTC...I have a STRONG desire to be a hospital nurse working in a critical care atmosphere...I realize that I am lucky to have a job, but I am not happy at all.In fact, I am more unhappy than I have been in my whole career..The motivation for me to get my RN was so that I could work providing hospital bedside nursing...That is my passion: bedside nursing care for critical ill patients...My clinical skills have always been good & I am a critical thinker...Have I waited too late in life for this dream of mine? Thank you very much for all comments:)

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Do what makes you happy! You will be more marketable if you have a BSN. I am on the hunt for a BSN program, I do not feel as though I am throwing away money even though I already have a BS in biology. It took me 9 months after getting my Associate Degree & passing my RN boards to get a job. In interviews they all asked me what my plans are and I basically felt like i wasnt good enough for one hospital because I didnt have my BSN. I truely believe if I had my BSN it would not have taken me so long to find a job.

I do have one question. Are you currently working in LTC? Why aren't you making more money if so? They didnt give you a raise for obtaining your RN?

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Specializes in ED, Long-term care, MDS, doctor's office.

I am currently working in LTC...I was working a weekend option plan as an LPN (which has now been discontinued). So, I while in RN school I was working as 'PRN' status as LPN which was $3 more/hr (still got to work as many hours as I wanted with a higher rate). When I got my RN, I went back to full-time status (for health insurance) & my raise was $3, which was the same rate as my PRN LPN wage, and much less as the prior weekend option plan. Since I am in management, there is NO opportunity for overtime..I have actually turned my notice in a couple of months ago, but they had a hard time finding someone to replace me (no offer of a raise to get me to stay)..So, I have stayed on temporarily since I do not have another job yet...My plan is to go ahead and take those 2 classes that I need to get into the BSN program, get out of management and back onto the floor so that I can maximize my earning potential, while I continue to seek hospital employment. Thank you, gizzy123 for your comments and good luck to you and your career:)

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What is MDS? What state are you in?

Focus on the many times you needed to use your critical thinking skills in the LTC environment, and use that in your core competency area of your resume.

Can you interpret telemetry/Ekg's? If not teach yourself ( we always do), get your ACLS and pursue your dream.

You've done enough schooling... time to market yourself and (sorry) pound the pavement.

Good luck!

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Specializes in peds-trach/vent.

follow your dreams. :)

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Specializes in ED, Long-term care, MDS, doctor's office.

Been there, done that: MDS (minimum data set) is a comprehensive assessment which is required by state and federal agencies and this is the tool which my state of Indiana bases the reimbursement upon...85% paperwork/computer input and 15% meetings and interviews...I have had rhythm recognition classes and I do have an updated ACLS manual, which I have been studying to take the class...I have been seeking hospital employment since my graduation in May 2010...I have applied to over 50 positions at 8 different hospitals...I have had a few interviews, but no offers...My local rural hospital nurse recruiter told me that she has 40 applicants for each 1 open position..She did encourage me to keep applying because I do have some previous LPN experience, which is more than a new grad has; however, I am losing hope...I have decided that I am going to pursue the BSN & seek employment in LTC as a floor nurse again, so that I can at least make more $$ while I am looking for hospital employment...

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Specializes in ED, Long-term care, MDS, doctor's office.
follow your dreams. :)

thank you frankiebooboo:))

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