LPN school in 2002, no boards

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 13, 2007

I don't live in Missouri, so, I can't offer suggestions there, however, ask your school if they know of anyone giving refresher courses, and that can be done while adding your credits to the RN program. At least this way, you can acquire some nursing experience and make some decent money while attending school. Good luck!

caliotter3 · Feb 13, 2007

I don't know what goes on in Missouri either but I would highly suggest that you get the LPN license. 1) You never know what will happen. It may be as far as you can go. 2) At some schools, it will actually help you get into an RN program, whereas graduating but not taking the boards may raise ?s for an admissions committee. 3) You can use it to earn money, whether or not you go on to RN school. 4) No matter what you do in the future, it is more positive to have obtained the license after graduating, than not. Good luck.

You might want to look into Suzanne's plan as found on a search on this board to study for the test. You might be able to skip the cost of the review course.

Added thought: I know someone who waited almost 2 yrs to take the boards after graduating...studied really hard, using the review books, and passed, without a review course. But they studied night and day. If you feel you need a review course, by all means, take one. Again, good luck.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 13, 2007

I so totally agree with what caliotter3 stated...you NEVER know. No one is saying that you are not RN material or that you cannot complete the RN course, but there are all sorts of surprizes that come with life and to earn that LPN license can open doors. Who knows...you may get hired by a facility that will sponsor your education. I was a patient care associate (the equivilant to a medical assistant) and I was offered a leave of absence WITH PAY to become an LPN. My tuition was paid and all. Now, I am an LPN. My earning potential has tripled since getting that license! I work in home care on the side and make $250 per shift...and am knocking out bills (although I am tired as all get out). I have another agency that calls me to go to army bases and administer vaccinations for the soliders that are about to be sent out to Iraq (and I get to flirt with them all day) and make $300 for that one day. Heck, you can't lose! And, you would not have wasted your money to attend LPN school!!

I don't know what goes on in Missouri either but I would highly suggest that you get the LPN license. 1) You never know what will happen. It may be as far as you can go. 2) At some schools, it will actually help you get into an RN program, whereas graduating but not taking the boards may raise ?s for an admissions committee. 3) You can use it to earn money, whether or not you go on to RN school. 4) No matter what you do in the future, it is more positive to have obtained the license after graduating, than not. Good luck.
You might want to look into Suzanne's plan as found on a search on this board to study for the test. You might be able to skip the cost of the review course.
Added thought: I know someone who waited almost 2 yrs to take the boards after graduating...studied really hard, using the review books, and passed, without a review course. But they studied night and day. If you feel you need a review course, by all means, take one. Again, good luck.

caliotter3 · Feb 13, 2007

Now that's a good one pagandeva2000, I can imagine you giving a recruiting speech somewhere and telling the audience that getting that license paves the way to getting to flirt w/guys, lots of them! Reminds me of what I used to tell the guys in my office when I went in to visit them (for my job, of course) and told them I came in to see the guys. We had 3 staffing coordinators at the time, all guys. It wasn't until the words came out of my mouth that I realized what I'd said! And they took me seriously, I really was joking! Well, you know any incentive is a good incentive.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 14, 2007

Now that's a good one pagandeva2000, I can imagine you giving a recruiting speech somewhere and telling the audience that getting that license paves the way to getting to flirt w/guys, lots of them! Reminds me of what I used to tell the guys in my office when I went in to visit them (for my job, of course) and told them I came in to see the guys. We had 3 staffing coordinators at the time, all guys. It wasn't until the words came out of my mouth that I realized what I'd said! And they took me seriously, I really was joking! Well, you know any incentive is a good incentive.

Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do...:roll

There were some really cute incidents there...there was one hunk, about '6 and 230 pounds that actually cried when I gave him an injection and then he begged me not to make him have his blood drawn...I had to rub his shoulders to calm him down. The guy came from Iraq six months before and is on his way to Germany. Another one passed out and when he came to, he asked me to sit on the cot with him for a few minutes (couldn't do that...it was inappropriate and I am married), but I had a hoot the times I went. Who would not want to flirt for $300 a day?

imani · Feb 14, 2007

will I be able to take a refresher course without having a license?

caliotter3 · Feb 14, 2007

There are review courses that are specific for prepping for the NCLEX and refresher courses for RNs who have not worked for long periods of time. Kaplan is one of the most well-known review courses for the NCLEX. Most people give it excellent recommendations. It costs about $500. Refresher courses for nurses who have not worked for a long time are very difficult to find. Hope this info helps.

imani · Feb 14, 2007

Thank you all so much for your responses. I am feeling a lot better about this now. One more question...how do I access Suzanne's plan for passing boards. I searched this thread with no luck. Thanks again...I'm on my way:chuckle

caliotter3 · Feb 14, 2007

I have to look to find it for you. She made it into a sticky. The first thing you do is get a copy of Saunders Review for the NCLEX. She tells you to do the ?s at the end of ea chapter. One by one. If you score (70%) or above, go on to the next chapter. If you can't pass the end of chapter test, then study the chapter in depth. After you have gone through the whole book, send her a PM. (Check on the site how to send PM (private messages) to Suzanne with your email address and she will respond to you with the rest of her plan. She sends this info out in a mass mailing about once a month (she is a very busy person!). Many people have followed her plan and they have passed the exam. Good luck. I will look for her sticky; you look for it too. It should be on the top of the forum for independent learning.....

caliotter3 · Feb 14, 2007

I just did a reply and it disappeared. Well here is the info anyway. Go to the top of the NCLEX discussion forum and click on the sticky called something like revised 1st tip to Suzanne's plan. That is her plan. You can read all about it there. Happy studying!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2007

You might want to check to see if you're still eligible to take NCLEX. I'd hate to mention the gloomy news, but it is possible that too much time has elapsed since the completion of the LPN program and, therefore, you might not be eligible to take NCLEX. Different states have different eligibility rules. For instance, I am in Texas, where graduates must take and pass NCLEX within four years of completing the LVN program. If the applicant has not taken NCLEX in 4 years, they must start all over and repeat the nursing program. Call your state board of nursing to obtain a definite answer on this issue.

Refresher courses are for already-licensed nurses who have not worked in the field for a very long time.