h3summers

I sent you a PM on this site. I've never sent one before so if you don't get it please let me know and I'll try to find you on the Global tomorrow. I would like to buddy up during this process because we're in the same boat and there's not many of us.

I already talked to Nevada, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Texas BON and they all told me that as long as I have an active LPN license in Cali then I can transfer it to their state no problem, it's just a matter of paperwork and money. I won't have to retest to get their state license. I have also talked to nursing schools in Nevada and Utah and they said they will recognize Cali's LPN for advance standing for their RN programs. I know the license will be good. I was just trying to find other military medics out there and see what others have used to study for the NCLEX-PN.

I am an active duty Air Force NREMT Paramedic who is trying to test for the California LPN test. Has anyone on here done this? Were their any challenges? What are some of the best NCLEX-PN study guides out there? Also, I have attached the information if there is any other military medics out there that would like to try for their LPN. Cali LPN.pdf

I am in the Air Force (active duty), stationed in Las Vegas. I am contemplating attending Nightingale College in St. George, Utah. LPN to BSN program. Wondering if anyone has attended their program and could tell me an honest opinion of the program. It's kind of expensive, $500/credit hr and it would require a 2 hr commute twice a week so I want to make sure it's the right choice.

I am currently a NREMT Paramedic. For as long as I could remember I wanted to be a nurse. I worked as a CNA for a couple of years. Had the opportunity to go to EMT Basic school for free so I took it! Loved it so much I went onto paramedic school. Spent close to two years on the street. Soon after I joined the Air Force as a medic. I thought I would be happy in the ER as a tech but I'm not. Now I'm really rethinking nursing. However, I can't tell if it's just a typical burn out cycle that everyone experiences at one point or another and I just have to push through or if I'm truely not meant to be a nurse but go back to the street once my contract is done (and ask the commander for permission to moonlight in the meantime). I really miss the street and the close knit community first responders. Can I find that in nursing? Did I just get stationed at a bad (for me) ER? Can I get out the hospital as a nurse? Besides, flight nurse cause those slots are few and competitive to get. Any advise from people who have been there? Thanks!!

I should have plenty of leave built up by then so I can fly in a day or two before so I can hopefully bounce back a little from the jet lag, test, then fly out that evening. The CPNE tests have a waiting list of almost a year so I should have plenty of time to make sure all my ducks are in a row. :)

Oh my goodness Pixie.RN, we have a lot in common. Yea, I am aware of that which is not a big deal to me. I think it might be better for me anyway. I'm not in a huge hurry as long as I make constant and consistent progress. That makes me feel much better to have some reassurance that the military does accept Excelsior. :) I have heard some not so good stories of people getting out to go to traditional nursing school and then when they try to reenlist they have issues so I'm glad that there's such a great unique program out there that I don't have to actually stop serving to finish my degree.

I am currently enlisted as a NREMT paramedic in the Air Force (4N051 Medic). I am wanting to attend Excelsior Nursing school (BSN) since traditional nursing school doesn't work with active duty life. I was wondering if anyone has gone active duty nurse with Excelsior? Excelsior is a great program but it is unique and the military can be picky. Thanks!

That sounds like a really cool job! That's the awesome thing about nursing. There's so many different types and everyday I hear of a new one.

I am aware of the wait. Some were saying they've been waiting for close to a year. For me, that's not too bad. Because I can focus on one test at a time then switch my thinking to skills (I should be able to also use the training equipment my work has) and also get in the NCLEX mind set. I think I'll feel more at home with this process cause it's more like paramedic school and NREMT style. I should have specified lol. I meant have all 8 tests done and be CPNE ready in a year. Since OK requires a 60hr preceptorship, I'm hoping to do that while waiting for CPNE.

That's more of what I'm wanting to do. Stay in the ER until I get enough experience to go Flight. What do you want to do long term? How long did it take you guys to get through the Associates program? I'll be transferring with all my gen ed complete except Micro so I'm shooting for a year after Micro which would be about the same as a traditional program. Do you feel Excelsior was harder than a traditional program or about the same?

Hi!! It's very nice to meet you! I don't feel so alone in this process now. :) It didn't even cross my mind that the tests wouldn't be all multiple choice. I will have to be extra prepared lol. What do you guys do? Long term care? ER? OR? Flight?

The school I am trying to go to for ADN (Excelsior) has two different options; either Associates of Science or Associates of Applied Science. I do want to transfer to a local university to complete my BSN and then later on I want to get a Masters in Nursing Education. Anyway, my question is which is better? What is the difference? Someone told me once that a university does not have to take all the class credits from a Applied Science degree but they have to take all the credits from a Science degree. Does anyone know how true this is?

What are the tests like? I know they're at the Person Vue. Which is nice because it'll get people used to stressful testing situations.

Well, I'm excited for you! I know you got it in the bag! Let me know how it goes cause I'll be going through this process in a year or so.

When I was in a bad department at the hospital, I checked the internal employment job postings everyday and kept faith that any day a good job would pop up or at least a more interesting department and it did after about 6 months. Are you working nights? Unfortunately, that's part of nursing, the unexpected. I had that when I first went solo as a paramedic (I'm pre-nursing right now) so I totally understand that feeling of 'oh crap what do I do now?!' but it really does get easier. I used to have horrible anxiety the day before and all during my 24 hr shifts. Self doubt and all that comes with being fresh out of school. It'll happen one day. It'll become so 'routine' that you'll look up and be like 'wow I feel so relaxed right now' on shift. Also, I dedicated a lot of time after graduation studying. You got this!

Awesome! I think that was the one I was looking at because financial aid covers everything including the exam and I like having a little bit of the 'traditional' feel with the discussions and quizzes. It'll help me stay motivated and on track. With family and full time work it'll be good to have that constant reminder lol. Thanks! Is that the one you did?

I am trying to do this myself. I'm currently in the Air Force and trying to finish up my RN. If I understood you're post correctly, you are also enlisted right now, just waiting on your test? If so you just go through the states process of testing that you are currently residing in or go back to your home state to get licensed there. I'm personally going back to my home state so I can have my license in order if I ever decide to get out and/or retire. Keep in mind, the RN license does not always transfer smoothly from state to state, usually not a huge deal but why not get the hassle out of the way. Air Force nursing is very competitive but they are also undermanned because RNs can make more on the civilian side. Best of luck!

MASH Hot Lips is the reason I chose nursing and the military. Of course, all the nurses on Call the Midwife is awesome, too. And Dixie McCall on Emergency.

So is it the stress of a new job and being totally on your own for the first time? Or is it just the particular field of nursing you're in at the moment? If it's the first one then it'll get easier the more you do it. It's all about confidence in yourself and your knowledge. If it's the second one then just keep reminding yourself that it's just a stepping stone. You don't have to stay there forever, just keep looking and you'll find something better. Best of luck!

Sounds like those girls are just being clickish (sp?). They're struggling so they want someone to pick on to make themselves feel better. They're just being bullies to put it bluntly. Anyway, don't let them determine if you'll like nursing or not. Do you like the skills, clinicals, dealing with patients, and the job itself? There are so many different types of nursing (as we all know lol) so don't get side tracked by those girls, stay focused on the actual course work/future career. Nurses usually have a sister/brotherhood mentality. Usually they look after their own. Of course, there are always those odd balls that are hateful, ladder climbing douche bags that will throw anyone under the bus to make themselves look better that usually everyone hates but they are the exception not the average. Point I'm trying to make is: look past school. Can you see yourself doing the job 5 years from now? Have you been on clinicals yet to see what it could be like?

Hello!! I'm so glad I found this forum. I am in the process of enrolling into the Paramedic to RN ADN program at Excelsior. I'm going to do the lecture/exam courses so I can get financial assistance. Anyone else do the lecture courses or is everyone just doing the exams? Do any of you get together in study groups? I haven't personally known anyone that has gone through the program but I've known people that know people lol. So I am not entirely sure what to expect. Has everyone had generally good experiences with Excelsior? Where are you at in the program? I look forward to getting to know you guys!