TeresaRN2b

I am currently in an RN program that has an LPN exit option. I will be eligible to take my state boards for my LPN in December. Originally when I started school I planned to go all the way through for my RN, but now I am getting stressed as to how to juggle it all. Daycare expenses are killing me without me having an income, but with 5 kids I don't see how I could work and go to school. I have been seriously considering going through Excelsior for my RN, but have some reservations. Mostly I'm concerned about employment with an Excelsior degree. Do employers look at this job equally? Has anyone had a problem getting a job with an Excelsior degree? Has anyone been discriminated for having a non-traditional degree? Also I live in Michigan does anyone know how Michigan state boards look at Excelsior degrees? Any and all feedback would be appreciated. Thanks, Teresa

ROFLOL!:roll I am sorry found this thread particularly funny. Um, I have to say no, we really don't have any teacher's pets in my class, but we certainly have our share of annoying suck-ups. You know the ones that ask questions they already know the answers to just to show off their knowledge. Thanks for the laugh, just finding this all amusing today. Teresa

My teeth are bad, bad, bad. I had perfect teeth till I was 23. Not a cavity in my mouth ever. I have not the money to do nursing school and fix my teeth. I had 3 root canals in the past 2 years and need much more work. I know this is pitiful, but I think I am getting them all pulled when I am through school. They are so bad. I don't think I will have the money to fix them all so that is my plan for now. I have visible holes in my teeth right now and it is so embarassing, but there just isn't enough money for both. And the way I look at it getting through nursing school will give me the funds to take care of my dental problems. I just hope and pray that they will hold out till I am finished with school because I can't afford another root canal right now. Teresa

Perhaps a better way to approach this to your instructor then would have definitely been to do it in private and also approach her as a student representative. Saying something to the effect of "some of the other students have come to me and expressed this concern....., I'd like to know how you can help me best to address this." I do tend to agree with everyone else that you're wording was not the best choice, but we ALL make mistakes so I will not come on hear and blast you. You're human and this is a learning process. Take this as constructive feedback and try not to internalize it to much. (((Hugs))) Teresa

Oh no, I am having the same problem and it is really upsetting. I know that I have had some mild hearing loss USUALLY it is not a problem even with blood pressures. I have a littman stethoscope and do ok with it. I bought a better stethoscope for that reason (of course at the moment I can't find it so am very panicked. I will be doing a major search through my house this weekend.) We have to use the double headed instructor's double stethoscope at school and that double tubing makes it very hard for me. One of the things I have tried to do is make sure all background noise is eliminated or lowered as much as possible. My instructor also suggested using two fingers to hold the bell instead of my thumb like I usually do because it holds it a little more stable so less rattling with it. Um, trying to think what else. I have to pay careful attention to how I place the earpieces too. I am really getting frustrated myself though. I haven't mentioned the fact that I know I have had mild hearing loss because I know it is very mild as I made it through the screening for the military. I am afraid if I say anything it will make the situation worse (not sure that this is the right thing to do though). Anyhow, just wanted you to know that you are not alone. I am fine with my other stethoscope and try to remember that when I am with my instructors for test out. Teresa

As the mother of a diabetic child here are some suggestions I would make. Sometimes it's not neglect, (although in this case it very well may be). Sometimes it's just a lot of work to keep up with and remember all the time. I would suggest having the mom send a month's worth of snacks to the school at a time. I know for me I quite often don't realize the school has run out. I just lose track and sending a month's worth in at a time really helps with the frustration level. My other guess is that if she has been dealing with this for 10 years she probably overestimates her child's ability to take care of this herself. Being a young mother she may just have a lot on her plate to take care of and just gotten distracted from what needs to be done. I know for myself I quite often forget how important the paperwork is. I would suggest both the month's supply and trying to tap her into free lunch program if she is eligible and any other community resources. Just my thoughts anyhow. Teresa

We have been taking our lab class and theory class the past 6 weeks, but have a 2 week clinical class that starts on Monday. We are not supposed to go in if we are sick, but then we aren't allowed to have any absences or we have to make them up. They let us know up front that it would be very difficult to make up a missed clinical, but that they could possibly come up with one day to make up. Any more than that and we have to wait till the next semester to retake the class. I know I can't be the only one that has faced this dilemna. I will most probably go in sick anyway, but find this really frustrating. I don't want anyone to get sick from me, but I know odds are everyone will get sick at least once during the 2 year program if not many more times than that. How do you all handle illness? What's your school's policy? Any miracle cures for a cold? Teresa

Awe shucks, you all are too much. Made me laugh and smile today. Actually in my opinion it's easier to do school with the little ones sometimes than the older ones. My older kids wear me out. I held off going to school for a long time because I felt like I couldn't have my big old family and school too and my kids were always my first priority. Then I woke up one day and realized if I wanted it bad enough I could have them both. Of course I am dragging my husband along for the bumpy ride, lol. Definitely doable if your mind is set on it. Teresa

Yep, it can be done. I have 5 kids ages 10, 6, 4, 2, and 5 months and I just started nursing classes this fall. I took all my prereqs and then knocked out all my gen ed classes before starting to make it a little easier for me. It has been really tough, but it feels really good to finally be doing this. My sister is watching my kids so that has helped me not worry quite so much about leaving my kids. It has been a tremendous amount of juggling for hubby and the kids and I, but so far I am doing very well in my classes. Teresa

Ah hugs Kimberly, sorry it wasn't an acceptance letter. Teresa

I actually learned it as 5 rights to, but it was pretty easy to add the last part to the acronym and it probably is good to remember the documentation as part of it too. Teresa

Okay dumb, but I remember it like this Dopey - Drug People - Person Don't - Dosage Remember - Route Things - Time Do they? - Documentation Teresa

It really depends on the school. The school I am attending has no time limits, so everything transferred in. Another school I looked at had a 7 year time limit on A&P classes and 10 years on everything else.

Ok, just curious how often you come across parents who have no name for their baby when it's born? My husband and I are so clueless right now and wondering how common it is for parents not to have something picked out in time. One of our kids was already named after birth and it is looking like it will be a repeat with this one. This should be entertaining for the nurses us arguing about names.