heartofgold

I was a CNA for about 3 years, until I became an LPN -2years, and now I am starting the RN transition program May of 09', and then to eventually become a NP (Lord willing). I don't know your situation, but from my experience I have found that it's not only easier financially, but it has made Nursing a much more rewarding career! By working up the latter, I can relate to and really appreciate all my patients-especially all my co-workers. Even though things may not run smoothly everyday, I believe that it really dose take "teamwork" (no matter what your title is) to stomp out disease & ensure to keep a patient in good health. I always try to encourage my CNA's and fellow LPN's to "keep moving on up."- cause in the end, it really is all about the patient. Geeez, sorry this is so long-just got off work :nuke: Hope my advice helped, and the best of luck to you!

Do you have any expirence working with patients? If not, then I recommend starting out as a CNA first. Get some good hands on patient care under your belt, then if you like it, move on from there. You will find out if nursing is really the best choice for you. I have seen people who have just went strait for the RN and come out without any "basic" patient skills. It's ashame. Remember... it's all about the patient. Good luck to you

Thanks for all the feed back. Sorry I left out a couple of things in the begining. Yes, I do work in LTC. Yes, this Pt. is totally with it x3. And definetly has every right to call 911. Apparently "I" was the only nurse to assess this Pt.'s complaint and document on it. None of the other nurses had done anything to correct the sittuation, only document on the back of the MAR that prn Imodium was given. Yesterday the DON told me that the Pt. is okay, and nothing was found. She also told me that the family is upset because it took so long for something to get done about it, and the nurses that were caring for this Pt. has been written up for it. I know I am a new nurse, and don't really know the ropes -yet. but I am just discused with the way these nurses handled the situation, something should have been done MUCH sooner.

Hi all, I'am a new nurse and have been reading the threads for some time now - you guys are great! maybe you can help answer this Q? I'll try and make this short. Went in to work Saturday 7a-3p. Night nurse reported Pt. called 911 around 3 a.m. wanting to go to hospital because of diarreha/vomiting for the past 3 days (It is not documented). Night nurse stated Pt. refused prn Imodium, and also stated she was not going to call the Dr. at 3 a.m. because of diarreha, and has been taking the Imodium and doing fine. Around 9 a.m. Pt. c/o diarreha and vomiting and wants to go to hosp. Pt. takes one prn Imodium and one prn Phenergan IM. 20min. later Pt. still insists on going to the hosp. Full set of vitals taken, elevated BP and pulse. Put in a call to Dr. and had to leave a message. Then I called the on call DON - had to leave a message. 30min. Later the Dr. called back and ordered to send her to the hospital. I notified the Pt. next of kin and arranged for the transfer. By that time the DON calls back and I give report to them as well. I documented in the nurses note what happend. Today the nurse manager calls and asks me several questions as to what happened that day, and If I can sign a witness statement? Why is there a witness statement involved? well, without thinking I said yes. Why would there be a witness statment involved? Thanks in advance for your feed back!!

Towards the end of my nursing program, there was a scheduled day were the students would just work on resumes and the instructors were there if we needed help. Under previous work history, I did list one or two jobs, (we all have to pay for nursing school some how) but since my instructor said make the resume "nurse oriented" as much as possible, I just listed mainly the experience and responsibilities I obtained during clinicals.

Did you look into "Excelceor" - I guess it's the most popular one. A couple of my friends from nursing school went that route in obtaining their RN. I don't know the details, but I think for the clinicals the students have to meet at a hospital or other clinical setting.

I'am in the same boat. I took the NCLEX yesterday, and ran out of time at 197. I felt terrible after taking it. I think I would have felt better if the computer shut off arout 85 like almost everyone elses did. I wish you good luck!