dapototi

Nurse Explorer; You don't need to have a clinical site until you are ready to take the clinical classes. I don't have a site either, but my advisor that not to worry.

I am going to start the online BSN program in October 2006. I hope I can bother you at times for a little help/support. I am really worried about not making the cut online.

As long as your school is recognized by NCLEX, you can take classes in one state, test in another, and get licensed in another... the beauty of NCLEX. I went to school in NY, live in NJ and decided to get licensed in CA. It all worked out well. Good luck.

Congrats! I assume you are doing the RN program? I am already an RN and getting my BSN at Chamberlain (although through the online program). If you have any questions or need help with anything, please let me know. I have some NCLEX review books I can let you have if you want them, they are a great study tool.

I am a male RN and I know a few male LPN's. When I was in nursing school, there were also a few guys who joined our class to become RN's. My good friend Peter is both gay and LVN. So yes, there are gay male LPN/LVN's out there.

I think the idea is a good one. When I went into nursing I thought there would be more gay men who were nurses, I guess that was my own misconception. I know there are many glbt nurses, but for some reason most prefer to stay closeted. I work for a hospital that employs over 3000 nurses and was surprised only 3 of us signed up for domestic partner benefits when they started ofering them last year. I know some lesbian nurses and they say it's easier for them to stay closeted, why is that?

Here I go again... As an out gay man, I do not deny being gay to any of my patients. I work on an oncology unit and so we get to know our patients on a deeper level than most nurses. I wear a ring on my left ring finger because I "married" my husband five years ago. I don't ever deny who I am or who I love to any of my patients, that would be wrong. I love him and he loves me. It's that simple. If a patient can't handle that, it's OK with me, I ask another colleague to take care of them. My life and choices are not not up for discussion. I am who I am, like it or not. If you prefer another nurse who is not gay, that's up to you, I will always care for patients in the most loving, respectful manner I can think of.

I used to be a PCA/PCT before I bacame an RN. So to all those nurses out there who think they are better because the have a college degree, GET OVER IT! There were many nurses who made my job easier when I was a PCA, they helped me with whatever I had to do. When a call light went off that I could not answer, they were there for me. They made me feel as though the job I did, meaningless as it was, made a difference to them. Whatever they asked me to do I did for them, no questions asked! And there were nurses who aked the world of us, and not even say "thank you" at the end of the shift. One year, the staff nurses decided to take out the techs for a night of fun and drinks, we all really had a great time! What I learned was that we, as the RN's have to take the initiative to have a "good working relationship" with our techs. Think about it, we make upwards of $25/hr and they make about $11/hr. Would that want to make you work as hard as the RN's do? When I was a tech I felt appreciated by the RN's, and not made to feel that I was a subordinate.

Although you are an RN now, there is no need for an attitude towards the LPN's. Just like you, they went to school, studied, and had to pass a test to get that credential. I know we RN's have a broader education, but that does not make us better nurses! I have a BSN and I started off as an AND. I know there were LPN's under me with years of experience when I first got my ADN. Now, as a seasoned nurse, I see the new BSN girls and I feel sorry for them, they have an attitude! They think they should not have to clean bed pans or change bed linens! H-E-L-L-O-! Wasn't that the first thing we ALL learned in nursing 101? Basic patinet care is a part of nursing, like it or not! So you have to empty a foley, or have to get someone off a bedpad... boo-hoo, poor you. If you don't like it, get out of nursing.

As a new RN I cannot imagine life without the LPN's on my unit. Unlike some of th RN's I work with, they don't have the attitude or senority complex most RN's have. I think it's sad that so many RN's behave this way because from what I remember from nursing school, we are all equal. My favorite professor, who now has a Ph.D in Nursing started off as an LPN in NYC. She tought us to respect our fellow nurses, regardless of the initials after their name.