How can I impress the director of our nursing program?

Wave Watcher · Dec 7, 2011

If you want to impress......be yourself.

Good luck!

chevyv, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2011

We've been hearing talk of LPN's going by the wayside for years and years now. ADN's seem to be getting our turn now too. I'm just wondering why you feel the need to impress her? Your grades, passing your PN boards, and the fact that your already a student there should all go in your favor. Good luck to you!!

NCRNMDM, ASN, RN · Dec 7, 2011

I just made an appointment with the director of our program. I am an LPN student. I'm very THANKFUL for the opportunity to be in the program, as we all know how crazy competitive nursing school is. I've been applying to the school since 2008. I was partially accepted (or at least made it to the next round) into their RN program but had to take a TEAS/HOBET for further elimination and I didn't make it. Luckily, I got into their LPN program. As we all know, LPNs are a dying breed. I've talked with hospital executives who believe in the trend that LPNs will not be in use (unless you work at nursing homes) and by 2020, hospitals require at BSN education. My original goal was to get a BSN. Since that didn't work, I wanted to get into an RN program. And since that didn't work, I got into the LPN program. I have the credit requirements, degree, volunteer hours/CNA job hours, to be eligible for their RN program. I am expected to graduate the LPN program this upcoming March. With these upcoming trends, I'm very scared about my nursing career. I don't mean to come off rude when I say this but I didn't sign up for nursing school, just to pass meds all day at a nursing home. Not that that's a bad thing (it is not) but I always imagined something else in my nursing career - speaker, teacher, traveling nurse, etc... maybe even management when i'm far into my career, who knows. I can't accomplish all of those if I ONLY have an LPN.
I will meet with the director soon and I"m actually nervous. It's crazy bc doing this is out of my element but for some reason, my gut keeps telling me I'm going to regret it if I don't at least talk to her. There were talks of a bridge program and even though I won't get the info I want (and need), I hope she sees that I'm interested. She's got EAST COAST mentality - blunt, straightforward, honest or sarcastic humor, which hits home to me. So i was wondering if I can get some advice from you east coast nurses, you wonderful new yawwwwkers :) what I can and cannot talk about :) How do I go about this?
(I introduced myself and made small talk with her once about 2 weeks ago. I didn't mean to but one of my responses came off as "blunt" and she was actually laughing and asked for my name. Stupid, stupid me. Hope that didn't ruin it for me.) PS: I'm also anticipating she MIGHT discourage me from doing anything more than our LPN program... there's a 50/50 chance... let's be honest, it can be too "political" sometimes...

Maybe it's because I'm from the East Coast, and have lived here my whole life, but I'm not sure what an East Coast attitude consists of. I live in the southern United States, and, yes, if we have something to say to you, we just say it. I don't see the point of dancing around the subject when you can spare yourself the time and any possible misunderstanding by just stating your issues. Now that that's out of the way, I'll move on to my advice on how to impress her. I would introduce myself again, just in case, you don't know how many people she sees everyday, and she's probably forgotten your name by now. Next, I would just tell her why I was there and what I was interested in. I would say something like this, "Hello, Mrs. Smith, my name is (fill in the blank here), and I'm here to speak with you about the nursing program at (fill in the blank here) university/college. I hope this doesn't seem too forward, presumptuous, or rude to you, but I am genuinely interested in becoming an RN, and nursing is my passion. Previously, I was partially accepted to the program, but I didn't score high enough on the TEAS, and I was eliminated from the running. Because of this, I ended up enrolling in the LPN program where I am doing well. Although I am getting my LPN, I am not satisfied, as I want to continue my education, and pursue my RN, and, eventually, my BSN. I do not want to stop with my LPN, and really feel that becoming an RN is my calling. Because of this, I would like to discuss my options with you. I heard discussion of the possibility of an LPN to RN bridge program, but I wasn't sure if this was simply rumor, or if there was some factual basis to this. If there is fact in this statement, I would like information about the program, it's requirements, and any other information you can provide as soon as it's available. If this is not a factually based statement, I would like to ask your advice regarding applying to the nursing program. Should I reapply to this program once I have finished my LPN, or do you think it would be wiser to apply to another program? I am very motivated to become an RN, and I want to guarantee myself the best chance of getting accepted to a program. I am willing to study more diligently for the TEAS exam this time, and if you feel that my chances of being accepted to this program are more than marginal, I am interested in reapplying as soon as possible. If, however, you feel that I don't stand a chance of being accepted to this program, I will apply elsewhere. I mainly came to you because I wanted your advice, and was seeking some direction regarding how to best succeed and accomplish my goals. Thank you for your time."

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Dec 7, 2011

might i make a suggestion? if it doesn’t work out, check out this school:

http://www.indstate.edu/degreelink/lpntobs/

perhaps many of your credits will transfer. i have heard of many lpns who went through the program and loved it. i think it is always a good idea to have several back-up plans. research what’s out there. it sounds like your eggs are all in one basket. as the financial planners say, “you need to diversify!”

good luck to you!!!!