A discouraged nurse

[sheldon09]

I am new to allnurses and first let me start by saying hello. I recently moved to California as of August 2005 from New Orleans as a result of Hurricane Katrina, lost my home, personal belongings and security. I enrolled in Excelsior in April 2004, finished and graduated, I can't become a RN in the state of California because I enrolled after December 3, 2003. Basically, in order for me to work in California, I have to go back to school. I am pissed, mainly because when taking the CPNE, there were 3 people from California, 2 Medical Assistants and 1 Resp Therapist, and they are RN's now because because they registered before that date. I am competent and I know I will give safe nursing care as a RN. Should I get over it and go back to school so I can meet California standards the experience I aleady know I have,the minimum compentcy as a RN because of the different nurse practice act. In Louisiana, LPN's have a greater role in the care of their patients than what they have here in California, because of the nurse practice act. LVN here in California are not allowed to hang IV's of any kind, and Louisana is just the opposite, I have had total care of patients on a Med Surg unit in Louisiana, except for IVP, Blood Products,( which include intial hanging, and once hung, I take over,) TPN, Dopamine, Heparin,Trach, and Chest Tubes I have experience. Of course, I do not have experience in ICU,L&D, or ER but I don't plan on working there intially, I plan on going on a Med Surg unit. But most new RN's are going straight to specialty floors by passing Med Surg all together.

Thanks for reading and look forward in reading your advice

[Sylv]

I'm sorry for your many losses.

If it were me, I think I would relocate to another state that would accept the RN, since you say your only choice is to go back to school. Do you have to do a whole RN program from the beginning?

I know you must have already spent a lot of time and money on Excelsior.

Good luck!

[princessneenee]

Chin up, I know you have been through so many changes already, remember if you survived "Katrina", you can survive anything. I live in Houston and have dealt with alot students in my school that had to redo alot of things to meet certain levels of criteria. Not to worry, just go through the motions and take care of your requirements because the nursing industry needs you. We all the good nurses we can get today and I just thank God, I got in the first time and I start this fall, very excited, be blessed JUST DO IT!

[princessneenee]

Chin up, I know you have been through so many changes already, remember if you survived "Katrina", you can survive anything. I live in Houston and have dealt with alot students in my school that had to redo alot of things to meet certain levels of criteria. Not to worry, just go through the motions and take care of your requirements because the nursing industry needs you. We all the good nurses we can get today and I just thank God, I got in the first time and I start this fall, very excited, be blessed JUST DO IT!

[LaNICUnurse]

I am new to allnurses and first let me start by saying hello. I recently moved to California as of August 2005 from New Orleans as a result of Hurricane Katrina, lost my home, personal belongings and security. I enrolled in Excelsior in April 2004, finished and graduated, I can't become a RN in the state of California because I enrolled after December 3, 2003. Basically, in order for me to work in California, I have to go back to school. I am pissed, mainly because when taking the CPNE, there were 3 people from California, 2 Medical Assistants and 1 Resp Therapist, and they are RN's now because because they registered before that date. I am competent and I know I will give safe nursing care as a RN. Should I get over it and go back to school so I can meet California standards the experience I aleady know I have,the minimum compentcy as a RN because of the different nurse practice act. In Louisiana, LPN's have a greater role in the care of their patients than what they have here in California, because of the nurse practice act. LVN here in California are not allowed to hang IV's of any kind, and Louisana is just the opposite, I have had total care of patients on a Med Surg unit in Louisiana, except for IVP, Blood Products,( which include intial hanging, and once hung, I take over,) TPN, Dopamine, Heparin,Trach, and Chest Tubes I have experience. Of course, I do not have experience in ICU,L&D, or ER but I don't plan on working there intially, I plan on going on a Med Surg unit. But most new RN's are going straight to specialty floors by passing Med Surg all together.

Thanks for reading and look forward in reading your advice

You could always come back home. Even if you don't want to go back to NO, there are lots of good places to work, that really still need good nurses. I'm sure you would be welcomed. There's no place like La.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I am so sorry for the difficulties you've encountered with your Excelsior education. Your best bet would be to relocate to any other state that will grant licensure to Excelsior-trained nurses.