dsomday

MJM, I am also from the Dayton area and was looking into this program. Did you decide to go with Rio, and if so, can you share your experiences with their program? Did you have to drive very far? THanks for any info you can give.

I have been an LPN for 2 years now. I worked in an LTC for approximately 6 months. For the past year I have worked in a pediatrician's office so I have no hospital experience whatsoever. I truly want to be an RN, but I do not have the time to go to school full-time and work, study, etc. The for-profit schools in my area are just too expensive and I cannot bear to go into more student debt. My question is, if I get my degree through Excelsior, what are my chances of getting a job as an RN in a hospital in my area? I live in southwest Ohio. I wouldnt mind home health either, but I'm afraid with my limited clinical experience, I wouldnt have a chance in either setting. I'm also afraid if I do get hired, I will be so lost without having clinicals. I keep telling myself that Im getting too old to get a degree (45) and I should just be happy where I am, but the dream just wont go away. Any opinions would be appreciated!

I have never heard of that. Is it new? Do they offer the RN bridge?

You are quite welcome. I went to Miami-Jacobs for my PN. From what I understand, they are no longer taking any new classes due to some program violations. I currently am working in Vandalia at a SNF and it is a very nice place. I was very afraid when I first started about the whole "nurses eating their young" thing, but fortunately where I work, for the most part, everyone has been very friendly. If I have any questions at all, there is always a supervisor I can call and they are always happy to help along with the other staff nurses. I did go to P.R.N. instead of full-time though. The night shift was killing me. I am planning on going through Excelsior for my RN starting next week hopefully. As much as I love the SNF, I do not think I want to work there for much longer, not full-time anyway. Thanks for your encouragement!!! You sound like you are a wonderful instructor!

I cant speak with certainty about what the BON says, but they do on a regular basis where I work!!! I have not done it personally yet, but I have been shown twice how to do it, and both were LPNs showing me.

Im a new LPN in the Dayton area. Got my license in January 10 and was working by the end of March. Jobs are hard to find in this area b/c it is over-saturated with LPNs, but the majority of my friends in class have gotten jobs, including me. My starting pay was a little over $18, but with incentives and weekend pay, it is over $20. Hope this helps!

Wow, what you said about not having anxiety before each shift struck a cord. I have only been an LPN for 6 months working nights in a SNF. I have sat out in my car and cried, not wanting to go in to work. It got so bad I went down to p.r.n. and only pick up shifts here and there. I have been wanting to go back to school for my R.N. but just cant bring myself to do it. I do love nursing, and I knew it wouldnt be easy, but sometimes the anxiety of what COULD happen makes me ill.

I definitely wouldnt prefill cups just to save time. Im like you, too afraid of med errors, petrified actually. I would rather take forever and be safe and right than try to be fast. I watch the other seasoned LPNs also and try and remember the good habits they have that I would like to do, not the bad ones. I still dont see how they have so much time to socialize when Im running my legs off. And as far as your supervisor goes, that is what she is there for, to ask questions and supervise. I wouldnt hesitate to ask any and all questions you have, that is the only way that I learn. Some of the other nurses I work with and have to give report to act like I am such a pain in the a*** because I am new. They walk away when Im trying to give report and totally ignore me, and just treat me like I am plain stupid. I guess they have forgotten what it is like to be new. Hopefully your supervisor is helpful, mine are. A lot of the nicer nurses tell me it will get better, and I believe them. Just keep your head up and like the other posters have said, every day remember one positive thing that happened during your shift, and dont dwell on the negatives. Good luck, and remember you are not alone!!!!!!

Thank you to all who have responded. It really makes me feel better. Reese17, the clipboard idea is great. All of the med carts have clipboards, and I will definitely take your idea tonight and put it to use. 3 days training!!! That's worse than me!! Good luck!!! Thanks again. You guys are great!!!

Thanks. You guys are great. The substandard care I totally agree with. I feel like these residents deserve more than what I can physically give them in 12 hours and I feel terribly guilty when I have to short-change them with their treatments, etc. Thank you to all who have responded, and I wish all of you newbs like me good luck as well!!!!

In my LTC, all floor LPN's are charge nurses, just generic term they use. It is entry level.

I knew nursing would not be easy, but I never imagined it would be this hard. I just started a new LTC job, had orientation for 7 days, and I just finished up my 3rd night shift on my own. I am a charge nurse for around 26 patients. I do work along side other LPNs, plus a supervisor on nights and they have all been helpful. I am trying to be optimistic, but this job is so tough. It took me 4 1/2 hours last night to do my 9p med pass!! I didnt stop all night. Between treatments (3 G-tubes and 2 trachs), I didnt stop. I still couldnt get 2 straight caths done for culture and had to pass them on to 1st shift. I feel like I cannot do anything right, everything takes me twice as long as the seasoned nurses. Everyone else seems to be taking their time, hanging out at the nurses station socializing, and meanwhile I am walking my legs off, rushing to get everything done on time. There are treatments that I just cant get done, and nevermind the fact I cannot possibly keep an eye on 26 patients at a time. Sometimes I have moments when I wonder what I have gotten myself into. I will get cussed out by a patient, or a supervisor says I did something wrong (already have had a error). They have all been more than patient with me, but I wonder when their patience will run out. Everyone keeps telling me it will get better, but I just dont see how from my perspective. Am I being too whiny and impatient? Does anyone have any tips on time management? I appreciate any advice you can give.

Oh thank you! My kids are teens, so they are pretty independent, Im lucky in that respect. My husband is more dependent than they are!!! Thanks for the tips!

I just landed my first SNF position on nights. I have never worked nights before and am very afraid I will not be able to handle it. Im 43, which worries me even more. I will be working 3 12's a week, but not all in a row. I am also worried that my days off I will be just too tired to do anything at all. I have always wanted to work 12's, but now I am worried I just cant cut it, especially on the night shift. Any suggestions/advice would be wonderful.

You are so right. I just want it all and I want it right now, I dont wanna have to wait, but I know I have to. I have decided to go the BSN route and take my time. At least I can still do nursing as an LPN in the meantime. Thanks so much!!!