Just passed boards, but graduated 3years ago!!!

navychickmbl · Oct 7, 2009

I'm in the same boat! Been 4 years since i've done patient care! Yikes! I know how you feel!

miaelaine · Oct 8, 2009

I am way worse off. It's been 17 years and I don't know if they'll allow it but I'm studying for the lpn now and hope they let me take it. Let me know how it goes. Thanks.

readytoroll · Oct 8, 2009

I work with a nurse who wasn't active for around 15 years. He took a review class. You can contact your state board of nursing for information. A good simple reference book to carry is the pocket LPN, it has the basics. Good luck!

miaelaine · Oct 8, 2009

thanks much. I'll check it out. I think wisconsin and texas have no time limit between when you graduate and when you take the nclex. if anyone knows any different, pls advise. thanks again.

Joey&Laurensmom · Oct 8, 2009

If you are that nervous, maybe you could start at a nursing home, or a skilled nursing unit of a hospital. Things are alot slower paced. That way you would have time to ease into it, Just don't get stuck in the fear zone and never venture out to learn new things!! Nice job passing after all that time, it could not have been easy!!!!

Congrats, and Good Luck to you!!!!! :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

Midwest4me · Oct 8, 2009

if you are that nervous, maybe you could start at a nursing home, or a skilled nursing unit of a hospital. things are alot slower paced. that way you would have time to ease into it, just don't get stuck in the fear zone and never venture out to learn new things!! nice job passing after all that time, it could not have been easy!!!!
congrats, and good luck to you!!!!!:yeah::yeah::yeah:

i beg to differ....when i worked in ltc things were not slower-paced; by far the opposite! from med passes to treatments to rounding with the md to calls to family, to md calls, to assessing falls, etc, my butt was never in a chair unless it was due to calling a doc or family. ltcs demand more skills due to ivs, tube feedings, etc(due to people being discharged earlier and earlier from the hospital so are much more ill).

i'd advise the op to go through a refresher course.

Cherybaby · Oct 8, 2009

I graduated nursing school in 1999. Due to a really ugly divorce, I never ended up taking my boards. Before I knew it...nearly 10 years had gone by. I took the NCLEX in late 2007 and passed it. You would be surprised at how much knowledge you retain and take with you into a clinical setting. Incidentally, I found that VERY little of what I learned in school applies to "real life" with the exception of clinicals. It was like getting re-educated all over again! Quite an adjustment and baptism by fire for sure.

If you are really insecure about it, take a refresher course. For me personally, going into LTC helped a lot. Then I was able to make the transition to surgery once I got my footing. Not saying LTC is slower paced by ANY means (don't let ANYONE tell you that! LOL) but it helped me to remember things like lab values, wound care, IV's, etc.

I used to carry my pocket LPN book with me like a bible. You'll be fine. It will all come back to you as you work. Love, care and compassion can take you a LONG way. You don't learn those things. It's something you're born with.

Good luck to you.

PurpleLVN · Oct 8, 2009

i beg to differ....when i worked in ltc things were not slower-paced; by far the opposite! from med passes to treatments to rounding with the md to calls to family, to md calls, to assessing falls, etc, my butt was never in a chair unless it was due to calling a doc or family. ltcs demand more skills due to ivs, tube feedings, etc(due to people being discharged earlier and earlier from the hospital so are much more ill).
i'd advise the op to go through a refresher course.

ita with midwest4me-ltc is not slower-paced....i worked 3-11 on both an alzheimer's hall and "regular" hall and the work never ended!:redpinkhe but try to take a refresher course!! congrats and good luck!! :yeah:

Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2009

But you passed right? Obviously you've got some common sense rolling around up there!! I'd recomend that you take a nursing refresher course! Congrats!

Joey&Laurensmom · Oct 9, 2009

Sorry if I used SLOWER PACED, and upset everyone. What I meant was, your patients will require a little less of that crazy knowledge that you learned in nursing school but never used. Instead of having patients with chest tubes, fresh amputations and neurosurgery,You will start with UTI's, FX hips and wound care. I really don't think that there are too many nurses that EVER get to hit the chair!!! A refresher course is a great idea. If you hate paperwork, long term care is NOT for you!