mocaj

Hello, I am an LPN and I would recomment that you totally skip LPN and go straight to RN. Everyone wants RN's anyway and, to me, it is a useless step. If I had it to do all over again I would have went straight to RN, LPN is just a delay and you don't get the reasoning behind the teachings, it is basic overview of the body systems and fast track courses. I suggest, you go straight to RN

Thanks for this thread. I have had the same question and have asked several nurses, all experienced. Most said they checked placement by pushing air into the tube and listening, but then I asked them why, because I thought the tube has a locking ring on the other end that is in the intestines and pushing air into it, to me, wasn't really doing anything. Now a NG-tube definate because it can be pushed and pulled and is secured by tape. But I couldn't understand the reasoning behind the peg. And I can understand if it does become unlocked then the tube would get shorter... Residuals are very important- How long do you wait before checking residuals? Some of these same nurses said 15-20 minutes and others said right away, there is no wait. I agree with the no wait because if you are on a constant feeding then waiting 15-20 minutes is not realistic to someone on constant.

Wow! I am so glad I am not the only one that feels this way. When I graduated in April, I knew I was not going to take a position at a LTC facility because of the pt/nurse ratio is overwhelming. I took a position at a hospital and I completely agree with all that you have said. You all have said everything that I think about now and I am already working on getting out of the system. I thought the 12 hour shifts/3 days a week would be wounderful, especially working nights. Boy, was I wrong. I travel 45 minutes to work, depending on traffic and to make sure I am there on time I leave earlier then needed, just in case. so I might see my family for 2 hours on those days. On the 4th and 5th day my body is catching up with the regular routine. plus you have to throw in the training days for certifications and meetings that must be attended. Oh and those 12 hour days don't include the time for me to catch up if i have had a hectic night. Holidays? What holidays? I am at my 5th month into nursing and I am just tired of it. I always thought I wanted to be a nurse but now that I am working in the career, I really don't like it. I wanted to feel the pride, honor, satisfaction, gratification, and happiness of saying "I helped to get this person back on their feet, I had a hand in getting them better and back to good health." But really, all I feel that I am doing is passing meds, wiping bottoms, changing a few dressings, playing catch up, and a whole lot of documentation. Maybe I should have gone into counseling or something, I just don't feel like I am really doing anything to help my patients, maybe because, once they leave the floor, I don't see the end picture, the benefit that they received from my care. Also, since I am an LPN ( I had all intentions of going straight into the RN program) my hospital does not consider us "Nurses." Licensed Practical Nurse :caduceus: .......hmmmmn? When anything is referred to Nursing staff it is the RN's. I really don't know what we are considered in their eyes, but I graduated to understand that I am a Nurse. And I am not the only one that feels this way, so I know that I am not just imagining this. But I really want to get out and when I receive this phone call that says I have the job, I will be out the door. ASAP!! Thanks, everyone for listening.

I have been a nurse for 5 months and I still have problems myself and have had very few successful sticks. I try, but i always end up getting one of the more experienced nurses to conplete the procedure. I volunteer to do other nurses iv sticks and it seems that I have learned, once i see blood in my needle chamber, I should hold the skin taunt at the entrance point and advance the catheter into the vein. I have attempted 3 iv sticks, since learning this new tid bit of information, and 2 were successful. You should always try first, and if you have a chance to volunteer to do someone elses stick, it would be good practice. Practice makes perfect! Don't give up.

my thoughts exactly!! :yelclap: :smiley_aa :yeahthat: :cheers:

Daytonite, you sound like you deal with a lot of anger when it comes to LPN's. You make it sound like all LPN's are good for nothing and worthless dirtbags. I feel sorry for you. Just to let you know there are alot of great, hardworking LPN's out there that really care about the patients and their well being and want to do the best job that they can. Just because you have worked with a couple of dirtbags, that just happen to be LPN's, you shouldn't fault us all. There are some dirtbag RN's and Doctors out there too. The letters that follow your name shouldn't automatically place them on your trash list!

Suzanne, Can you send me a copy of your plan? I will be graduating in a month from the PN program and every little bit will help. Thanks

Could you share what pointers for the test was given? I will have to take the test also in a month. Was it hard for you?

You said what was on my mind. . Very well put and Thanks

Hi, I just wanted to add my two cents. I have all my prerequisites for our RN program (all the classes you stated above-except nutrition) and I have and AA, but I will be graduating from a PN program in a month. This is because the PN program picked me up before the RN program did (if it was going to). Please don't take what I say the wrong way:mad: , I just would like for everyone to know that an LPN can have the same background education as the RN. Some LPN's have more education in their background then just the 1 year PN certificate. I feel that the RN gets more of the critical thinking in their education, where they know that this breakdown in this organ will lead to a chain reaction of events in this area of the body. But us as LPN only get the basic overview of things, we don't get the indebth stuff;) But I do have a qustion for you, or anyone who can help. Since I have an Associates and I get my Associates in Nursing is that considered a bachelors degree? A friend told me that the answer is yes but I am doubtful.

Traceylynn, I am very happy that you passes and Congratulations!!!! I was starting to stress out with you after reading your posts;) Enjoy your career, and make us proud!!

Congradulations!!!:balloons: Thanks for the information but could u tell me what ADPIE stands for?

hi fellow military member

"Hmmm... where to begin.... You seem rather sure of yourself, no doubt, and that's great. To me, it makes my job easier, when a student has some sort of confidence, but it needs to be balanced with some humility. There seems to be a fine line between confidence and cocky. My advice...keep the confidence to yourself, it will shine without you trying to display it. Let the instructors notice your confidence (they will), and impress them- not the floor nurses. They are not giving you your grade. You also seem to think that there is nothing between being confident and stupid (you used that term twice). I find that very insulting to your fellow students. Are you insinuating that someone without any medical background is automatically stupid? On the flipside, I've seen many a tech, EMT, unit clerk, etc. who are NOT SMART, yet assume that they can become a nurse. I am not calling you stupid, and yes, your experience is advantageous, but the bottom line is you are not a nurse yet. You need to learn to become a nurse. While I don't know you, I cannot possibly imagine that you know everything already. That is not an insult to you, but what you percieve as the nurses' role may be rather different from whay the nurses' role actually is. Technically, you may have a lot of experience. You know how to do vitals, fingersticks, record I&O, and other skills. Now you need to apply, analyze, interpret. Maybe you already know how to do this. If you do, great. As far as your age, I'd be careful with this one. If you look at the ages on this bb, many are old enough to be your mother or father (at the least). Age and # of years as a tech do not necessarily = competence. I am truly not attempting to minimize your experience. You are a baby in the world of nursing (and I am a toddler at 32, with 12 yrs nursing exoerience!!). My advice (if you want it), just lay low, do what you have to do for your instructors, and just be a student. Not a stupid one, not a cocky one. Just a student. Let your actions speak for themself." :yelclap: Very well said!!! I agree 110%

Where do you work? I wish I could have you as a preceptor when I graduate!!!:yelclap: :loveya: