Is it possible to do Excelsior with Limited Hospital Experience?

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I am graduating from an LPN program in approximately 6 weeks. Unfortunately I will not be able to continue going to a traditional NS for my RN because of my finances and family situation. After a year of not working to do the LPN as well as pre-req's for RN we are basically broke and I will need to start working full-time ASAP as soon as I pass NCLEX.

I can't do the CC thing because they are all impacted and I am not getting any younger. I do not have another 3-4 years of taking a class here and there and hoping to be selected for RN clinical.

Where I live LPN jobs are plentiful at SNF but not in the hospitals. The majority of hospitals in my area do not hire LPN's unless they have tons of experience or have been grandfathered in. I might be able to get a job at an outpatient clinic but truthfully I am not too interested in that. Also the pay in the hospitals for LPN's is low usually no more than a dollar or two more than the PCTs. LPN's make a way better living working at SNF and since we have all of these bills to pay I need the best paying job I can get.

I am concerned about being able to pass the dreaded CPNE with only SNF experience. :o

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You will have to take the workshop unless you can get some peds and IV experience in an LTC, which isn't likely.

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Thanks! I had to do a little searching but I found the link to the CPNE workshops. If I had years of experience under my belt I wouldn't worry about it but since I will likely have only 1 year or less I will spend the $755 so that I can be more comfortable during the actual CPNE.

I want to start as soon as I get my license because I see that there is now a 6-8month wait for a CPNE date!

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

you can start now. you don't have to be enrolled to take nc 1

thanks! i had to do a little searching but i found the link to the cpne workshops. if i had years of experience under my belt i wouldn't worry about it but since i will likely have only 1 year or less i will spend the $755 so that i can be more comfortable during the actual cpne.

i want to start as soon as i get my license because i see that there is now a 6-8month wait for a cpne date!

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i guess i could but i am in my last semester and i would like to concentrate on graduating and passing the nclex first.

right now i am taking my lpn class, micro, and sociology so my plate is too full. i think i would be seriously overwhelmed if i tried to add anything else right now but i literally plan to start nc1 the day after i pass the nclex.

you can start now. you don't have to be enrolled to take nc 1
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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

good plan....good luck...

i guess i could but i am in my last semester and i would like to concentrate on graduating and passing the nclex first.

right now i am taking my lpn class, micro, and sociology so my plate is too full. i think i would be seriously overwhelmed if i tried to add anything else right now but i literally plan to start nc1 the day after i pass the nclex.

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Good luck, Falon!

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Best of luck to you. Your plan sounds great. I am also concerned about the CPNE because I will be working at a Long Term Care Facility when I finish my LPN program

in August 2008. I have decided to do Excelsior and take a workshop. My LPN school has an articulation with a college that offers the BSN. That will be my plan B!

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I am in LTC right now and I set up a little lab in the house with dressing injection and IV supplies and a great care plan book. A lot cheaper than a workshop and I have unlimited access on my own schedule GAWD I'm cheap huh ?

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I don't call that cheap, I call that smart!

I am in LTC right now and I set up a little lab in the house with dressing injection and IV supplies and a great care plan book. A lot cheaper than a workshop and I have unlimited access on my own schedule GAWD I'm cheap huh ?
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I am in LTC right now and I set up a little lab in the house with dressing injection and IV supplies and a great care plan book. A lot cheaper than a workshop and I have unlimited access on my own schedule GAWD I'm cheap huh ?

But are you learning to do it the way that the clinical examiners want you to do it? I know IV's, wound care, etc., but every preceptor I've ever had has a different way to "properly" do the same things.

The Excelsior workshop is an inexpensive investment, IMO.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i 100% agree

but are you learning to do it the way that the clinical examiners want you to do it? i know iv's, wound care, etc., but every preceptor i've ever had has a different way to "properly" do the same things.

the excelsior workshop is an inexpensive investment, imo.

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