Input Requested about going for RN ....

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Specializes in geriatrics and psychiatric.

I just took my NCLEX PN this afternoon. Boy was I surprised how difficult the questions were. I was told as of April 2008 they had become more difficult. I will know in 24 hrs how I did. When I did my med/surg clinical in a hospital setting I truly enjoyed it. The challenge was exhilerating and every day was a learning curve for me. I have just turned 60 and feel that perhaps so many nurses are retiring at my age. I have also done clinical rotations in LTC and really did not like it at all. There is a sub acute care facility I am going to apply to - a rehab. Question: Should I go ahead at age 60 and get my Assoc degree and sit for my NCLEX RN? Or, due to my age, enjoy my career as an LPN. I am a widow and have a teen still at home so the money as an RN is a great draw. However, I will be paying for my education far into my retirement, I am afraid. Does anyone of you wonderful nurses who are working for a while have some words of wisdom for me? There is the local DCCC here and I can get my RN in about 10 months with the bridgeing program. I have not gone to the college yet and talked to them as I want to wait and make sure that I have my license in hand to move on. Also, I am hoping(since I am in good health) I could do part time private duty nursing when I am older if I am able? I would work 3 to 11 and school during the day. Unless I do the on-line education but I think I do better in the classroom setting. I was just hoping my employer would pay for this

but I don't know if all employers pay for RN education for LPN.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

If your desire is to become an RN, then, by golly, go for it! Life is short and do what your heart desires! In terms of your hospital paying your tuition to become an RN, it depends. Most of the ones I know want for you to work for them at least a year before applying (if they have such a program), and want an excellent employee review-good attendance, above average in everything. If you find a facility that will sponsor your education, keep it in mind. I'm not sure if they would be willing to pay for on line education-they seem to lean more on the traditional classroom setting. Also, not all states accept on line courses because they are missing the clinical component, so, you have to investigate if your state allows this.

Congrats on obtaining your LPN education, and go for what you want!

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Specializes in geriatrics and psychiatric.

Thank you Ms. Deva for your input. I agree with you about the online education. I would prefer the classroom myself.

Nursing is a special profession for sure. :)

Merci for your thoughts!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Also, keep a med-surg pocket guide with you to do a quick review of diseases, and if you can also obtain a pocket guide to diagnostic procedures, that would be helpful, because many times, patients are nervous about going for CAT scans, barium enemas, and the host of other things they have to go through. Most hospitals have resources on their intranet, which information can be printed to give out to patients, but I don't think that nursing homes do. And, if you are working in home care, that is a teaching moment, to be able to ease their fears and it keeps you in the loop of learning/reviewing for yourself. Good luck!

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Specializes in geriatrics and psychiatric.

Thank you again Ms. Deva...

A pocket guide to diseases and procedures. I will look for those for sure.

That is what nursing is all about .. teaching and abetting fears.

Would Barnes and Noble be a good place to get these?

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Specializes in geriatrics and psychiatric.

Oh Duhh Boy you can tell I am a GPN. :)

I have a PDA loaded with all that stuff on it. And it can give me tests and what the normal ranges are for lab values.

I have not used it for a few months since I have completed school. I need to get back in the swing of things. :)

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

A PDA is a perfect resource. And, yes, if you needed to go to Barnes and Noble to purchase a med-surg pocket guide, that is the perfect place to go...that is where I got mine from (have a PDA as well).

I find that you have to walk with small, handy resources. I don't carry my palm pilot everywhere, because it depends on what setting I will be in. I carry it to my per diem assignments on the floors, but find I don't need it in the clinic, because we are sitting before computers all day.

I wish you the best of luck in passing your exam and your new career!

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Specializes in geriatrics and psychiatric.

Thank you so much Ms. Deva for all your special encouragement! :)

Could you pease explain what per diem assignments are ? And... do they pay as much as a full time job? Or is the only perc missing the benefits such as medical coverage?

Oh, I also carried in my pocket the nurse's prayer. I hope it helps me stay focused to give the best possible care to people in my care.

I found the prayer and started carrying it in my folder when I was doing in home respite care. :) Some of these dear individuals can be so trying at times.

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