I need TABE help...lol i am so excited!!! I start school in FALL for PCT!!!

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Aug 12, 2014

Thanks. I will call the job back today. My old job I make $13/hr but reduced my work hours and the new job offer I'm assuming $10/hr.

I wish I could challenge the boards. I've been a cna for five years but only worked at a psych rehab hospital and in order challenge the boards you need 50+ hours of med/surg. I do not understand it.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Aug 12, 2014

Why don't you understand that you need to have experience in med/surg, pediatrics, obstetrics and mental health just like a candidate that graduated from a vocational nursing program plus a pharmacology course? Even if you pass the license isn't accepted for endorsement to any other state. Plus you cannot work in certain facilities with an equivalency license.

If the job is that much less than your previous employment discuss with your counselor. You may not have to accept the job ( if offered) with a >20% pay cut. I would also confirm that they are still funding vocational nursing programs with the high unemployment rate of nurses.

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Aug 12, 2014

It makes sense to have experience in different units. I just wished I knew that early on because I would have tried to look for a hospital job to gain experience and have not stayed in a psych unit this long.

Graduatenurse14 · Aug 12, 2014

Check with your Job Specialist regarding employment while receiving WIA funds. You may may be able to work as long as certain criteria are met like how much countable income is coming in. DHHS may have made exceptions due to our very long economic recovery.

I worked in a TANF funded program (Temporary Aid For Needy Families) which are the Cash benefits for those with children. One could still receive Cash benefits and still be employed BUT how much countable income someone was earning was the key.

It's possible that DHHS has allowed for people to earn more countable income and still receive the same amount of Cash benefits due to the economy being so bad so the figure below may not be accurate.

To figure TANF checks for all working families receiving TANF, DHHS disregards (doesn't count) earnings equal to $108, plus half (50%) of your remaining earnings. The amount remaining is your "countable income."
For example, if you earn $1,000 a month, DHHS will count only $446 of your earnings in figuring your monthly TANF check. ($1,000 - $108 = $892 x .50 = $446 in "countable income").

Honestly I'm surprised your counselor is even considering vocational nursing as a qualified program since the unemployment rate for new grad, inexperienced nurses is >40% and likely higher since many international nurses are challenging the NCLEX-PN for LVN licensing in CA.

I was too until I looked on my state's projected employment outlook for RN's through 2010. It says that in my part of the state the projected RN shortage is -8% and in another it's -12%. Hogwash!! You can't walk out your front door without stepping on an unemployed RN! My state still has 18 Diploma Programs, 27 ASN Programs and 39 BSN Programs yet Nursing is still listed as a High Demand Occupation. WIA funds will pay for an accelerated RN-BSN at one school in my county!! WOW!

The addendum below to the employment outlook data looks good on paper but it isn't true so maybe the OP's state is doing the same thing:

The significant finding from the model is that the main source of the growing regional shortages is the inadequate number of new entries coming into the workforce to keep up with the increasing number of RNs leaving the workforce (replacements). Furthermore, this shortage is compounded by constant industry growth and consistent employer vacancies.

Perhaps because nursing is such a critical part of of a healthy society that states would rather have entirely too many running around in case of an extreme emergency?? I don't know of another reason for the discrepancies.

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Aug 12, 2014

Thank you. I have a meeting on the 25th with my advisor and job specialist. I will have questions to ask and hopefully everything will work in my favor.

jamiross007 · Aug 21, 2014

UPDATE!! I scored a 7.8 in math need an 8 for WIA but really just a 9 for Chatthouchee Tech. The program starts Sept 9th. I am studying the math and will retake! I am concerned about the background check. I am not a convicted felon but I have a felony failure to appear (FTA) although I wasnt convicted this is on my arrest record. I hope the school will be able to read it correctly. I had a small part time job at the school and after the first day they let me go. This is frustrating!! I was attacked by a man 2 yrs ago. We were both arrested and then I missed court date FTA and then was locked up and had to take a plea to get out of jail since I didnt have a bond. The court appointed lawyer sucked. I dont have money for a lawyer I want to sue the state and file charges against this man. Sorry for the rant...I just want my life back. It took a month just to get my liquor permit the woman at the office couldnt read my background right. Im hoping for a miracle! Do it Lord!!

jamiross007 · Aug 21, 2014

Yea girl Good Job on the Math thats impressive!!!

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Aug 25, 2014

I just got back from my second W.I.A appointment with my adviser. I'm scheduled to take the TABE test this Wed.

Graduatenurse14 · Sep 2, 2014

UPDATE!! I scored a 7.8 in math need an 8 for WIA but really just a 9 for Chatthouchee Tech. The program starts Sept 9th. I am studying the math and will retake! I am concerned about the background check. I am not a convicted felon but I have a felony failure to appear (FTA) although I wasnt convicted this is on my arrest record. I hope the school will be able to read it correctly. I had a small part time job at the school and after the first day they let me go. This is frustrating!! I was attacked by a man 2 yrs ago. We were both arrested and then I missed court date FTA and then was locked up and had to take a plea to get out of jail since I didnt have a bond. The court appointed lawyer sucked. I dont have money for a lawyer I want to sue the state and file charges against this man. Sorry for the rant...I just want my life back. It took a month just to get my liquor permit the woman at the office couldnt read my background right. Im hoping for a miracle! Do it Lord!!

Study that math just a little more!! You can do it!!

Do you know for sure that you will be able to be employed in the field which you are going to school for with a background? Make sure about this! You can ask your job specialist. If they don't know, they can direct you the person who does.

Also, look into getting it expunged. I know it's a pain and can be expensive but it's well worth it for your future as it may prevent you from being an RN as well as working in many other areas -even volunteering at a church, non-profit or your child's school can be denied if they do a background check and it happens to be a charge that falls in the Ineligible category. I don't pretend to know everything about all of this but have had clients and have family that have had employment issues based upon their record.

Maybe this link can be helpful:

FAQ's - Record Restriction (Expungement) | Georgia Justice Project

Good luck! Keep us posted!!!

Graduatenurse14 · Sep 2, 2014

Aug 25 by tasha92337
I just got back from my second W.I.A appointment with my adviser. I'm scheduled to take the TABE test this Wed.

GREAT!!! Good luck!! Keep us posted!!!

jamiross007 · Sep 7, 2014

I passed my TABE. I had 12.9 in the eng and reading and had a score of 8 in math. I studied a little and raised it to a 9 for the school. 8 was the minium passing for WIA program.

jamiross007 · Sep 7, 2014

I just saw this about the expungement. I volunteer with my church already. I am looking into expungement. Thanks again for the website will keep u posted.