dolphn545

Thanks everybody! Decisions, decisions ... trying to decide which order to study and test out of!

Hi Everybody! I am going to start Excelsior for LPN to RN. And the more I'm reading about the testing out, the more I'm getting confused as to which to test through who. I know that I can test out of the gen eds prior to enrolling and saving on the annual fee. There is just so much info out there that its overwhelming. I like to hear about "real" people's experiences that have been through this, and what works for them. If anybody has suggestions/recommendations, I would appreciate them. I pretty much need to take EVERYTHING. I have put this off long enough and just want to get going. Also, if you have suggestions on preparing for these, I will take those as well. I know I can buy books and study guides off ebay, but I'm looking for specifics that helped you. Thank you for any and all info!! Sherry

The hospitals in my area offer a nurse intern (extern?) program over the summer for new grads. Start there, see if the hospitals in your area offer something like that. Also in this area, it is preferred that you get one year med/surg experience under your belt, which will then open up numerous opportunities. Good Luck!

1.whats a typical day at work like? My typical day may not be what you're looking for. I am a pediatric private duty nurse. So I go to people's homes, help with their disabled, medically fragile children. My duties may vary, depending on the client. My day could consist of Ongoing Assessment throughout shift, vital signs, AM care, suctioning, support/teaching to the family. Administer meds., feedings, treatments, if any, skin care, etc... this list could go on. ... 2.what are the major skills,knowledge,and abilities necessary for success in the nursing field? The obvious -- caring, compassion and understanding. 3.what type of experience is helpful for entering this field? Anything people related, whether it be secretarial, customer service, or previously working in the healthcare profession 4.what college courses helped you the most? math and psychology 5.how did you enter the profession? I needed something with a little more flexibility. I was working as a legal assistant, and was having some serious problems with my daughter at the time. Nursing just "worked" for me 6.what do you like least about this job? Paperwork!! There are just not enough hours in the day to fill out a thousand forms. 7.what are the most important personal satisfactions connected with your field? Feeling as if I'm making a difference in somebody's life, and actually HELPING. The families really do appreciate your help and knowledge. 8.what trends do you see impacting this field? Medical / health care coverage. Some of these families have to fight for necessities to properly care for their child. 9.what advice would you give people entering this field? It is not for everybody. Know YOURSELF first, to be sure of what YOU want to do. Kids can sense, even if they can't speak. They know if you're happy with your job, if you're frustrated with them, etc.

Thanks for your response! I did meet with them a second time today, and think I've decided to go with them. They have 2 cases they want to get me on. Hopefully I'm making the right move. I've been with my current agency for 2 1/2 years, and feel a little guilty about going elsewhere. Thanks again!

I live in Northeast PA, and recently met with Interim, and am looking for info from anybody with experience with dealing with them. (I have to go in for more paperwork, but I like to hear what others have to say) Are they good about getting you assignments? How is the pay (LPN)? (Specifically HH or Peds cases, but ANY salary info would be helpful, as they did not discuss this yet) Any other info (good or bad) would be helpful to me. Thank you! :)

Click on this link: http://www.discovernursing.com/ and look on the right for the "HOW" tab. In there, it says "Nursing Programs Without Waiting Lists" Maybe through this, you will be able to find one closer to where you are. Good Luck!

I don't have an answer to your question -- but I must be missing something in my research for LPN to RN online schools. South University, from what I've read, does RN to BSN. I'm aware of Excelsior College for the LPN to RN (Associate) completely online, but that's it. Sorry I couldn't help, but I'm curious to the responses you will receive for this now.

go to discovernursing.com Put your mouse by the "HOW" tab toward the right, and there is info for nursing programs without waiting lists.

I did post on your other thread, that's closed now. And my suggestion is to see if any of the local hospitals will offer an internship type program, that way you can get your foot in the door, and satisfy the technicality of clinical hours. After reading your other post I looked at one of our local hospitals, which is where I got the idea from. It was listed under the Professional Education on the hospital's website. Here is what one of my local hospitals does: ----------------- ******* is pleased to offer nursing students who have completed their junior year the opportunity to gain valuable clinical experience in an educational and supportive environment. Student externs will assume a paid nurse aid position and have the opportunity to rotate through various clinical areas of the hospital for experience and observation. ***** offers the student extern a wide variety of clinical experiences including medical, surgical, trauma, cardiac services, critical care, and pediatrics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to attend weekly educational sessions encompassing various nursing topics. Topics Include: - An individualized, competency based nursing orientation - Weekly classroom experience to build on your knowledge base - Supervised skills practice - Access to on-line NCLEX review program Who is eligible? If you have completed your junior level of your Nursing curriculum and have maintained a 3.0 GPA or better and a current CPR card (AHA Healthcare provider or equivalent) you are eligible to apply for a student externship. Dates: June 7 – August 9, 2009 This 10 week program begins the first week of June and continues through August. ------------- I realize that this isn't for your area, but like I said, maybe a hospital in your area will offer a similar program. Just my 2 cents ... Good luck to you! :-)

Maybe check with the same, or other local hospitals and see if they offer an internship program that will give you the clinical skills you need to pursue your career.

I graduated June 7, and sat for (and passed) boards on June 13. The DON at my school was on top of getting her paperwork into the State ASAP. So, part of the "wait" depends on your school.

I don't smoke but my husband does. The last two places that we lived had a basement, that was "his" room, and he could smoke away down there, but not in the main part of the house. Now that we are living in an apartment, he can NOT smoke inside, and only goes outside. Not too convenient for him, when it's -11° outside, but it's something he deals with. Me being the nurse, I tell him I cannot go to work smelling like smoke. (especially since I have a peds client). This works for us.

I work agency, and make a notation every hour. So if my client is sleeping the day away, I will write every hour "remains sleeping" "sleeping soundly", etc.

You can't refuse to do the treatment, but maybe you can get the time that it's done changed. Hopefully there should be at least SOME period of time when no one is there with your resident, (first thing in the a.m., at bed time, somewhere in between), and try your hardest to go in then. I've had to do this. So and so's family comes in at XXXX time everyday, so I better get in now if I don't want an audience. :)

I go to school with my client. It's something that I'm still getting used to, because I happened to start with my client at the beginning of summer, where it was just me and them for the summer, and we did whatever I wanted, nobody (besides mom) to answer to, MY own schedule, etc. As for the school, well, I don't do anything with him that has to do with education. There is a teacher and two aides in the room I'm in, along with 6 other students. I'm there for nursing interventions, feeding, assessment. When the teacher is doing her "thing", I back off, but keep my client in full view at all times. If my client is agitated, I will enforce what I believe mom would want. (extra time on the mat, extra cuddling, more frequent position changes, etc.) Hopefully you will be in a room with an understanding (flexible) teacher. Although the teacher for my client is nice, they are pretty well set in their ways, and sometimes I feel like she would rather not have any nurses in the room, because it may interfere with the teaching or with what they want to do. (I'm not the only nurse in this room). The teacher in our room wants to be involved in EVERY aspect, and I've had to ask her to back off, because I'm the nurse and there are things that I need to do that she does not. To sum this up, take the job if you're interested. Give it a try. There will be both positives and negatives, as with any job. I came from LTC to peds, didn't know how long I would last, but I LOVE this. And going to school (as frustrating as it can be on some days) DOES break up the day with my client. Let us know what you decide, and when you start, what you think! :)

I had a false positive TB test once as well. The MD that read the test is telling me not to worry because he tests + Some people just need to get annual CXR instead of annual TB tests, to make sure that IF you do have it, it's contained. With proper documentation and follow up with your local health department, this should not prevent you from attending nursing school.

Being booksmart won't necessarily make you a better nurse. Someone was in my class who would have been the top nurse, GRADE wise, but this particular person had no bedside manner. This person's sense of "humor" was very unprofessional, and the actions had caused thsi person to be dismissed from the program. They were in a bit of shock -- because of the grades. Me, for instance, would be getting B's and C's. I'm not the best test-taker. I'm more of a hands on. So, don't let grades be your judgment of the nurse.

You would need to go online with the NY State Board of Nursing and check their requirements. If you still have questions regarding your credentials, etc., you can call them. That would be your best solution with accurate information.

If you're working for an agency doing private duty, doesn't your agency have any forms that the patient takes to the MD to have filled out at that time? (my agency does and when I know my client is going to the doctor, any doctor, I remind them to take a form from the book with them so I can review it during my next visit.

Although there is only one test to take, and you can only "register" for one state at test time, the licensing REQUIREMENTS for each state may differ. Make sure you check with NYS BON to be sure you have all of their requirements needed to be licensed in that state.

These are only Possibilities, without me knowing the pt himself, any lab works, etc. Ineffective tissue perfusion peripheral r/t impaired arterial circulation R/F injury: hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia r/t failure to consume adequate calories, failure to take insulin Ineffective health maintenance r/t deficient knowldge regarding care of diabetic condition

I agree with the previous posts, thanking your loved ones near the end. Also just by telling them that "it's ok" is something that they need to hear. It's ok to let go, and that you will be alright. You will meet with them again someday, when your "chores are through". That's one of the last things my grandmother said to my grandfather. In my grandfather's case, all he wanted was "peace & quiet" (he had 10 kids, and numerous grandchildren/great grandchildren -- so no such thing as peace & quiet!) But the morning that he passed, most of the family had gone out to breakfast, get some air, etc. He waited until there was only a few of us there, and got his peace and quiet. When someone is ready to pass on in the LTC facility I work at, even if family is there, I will tell them that it's ok. They have lived a good life (hopefully they have). I will also ask the family if they told their loved one that it's ok to let go, or if there's somebody tht didn't get to come in for that last visit. Just my 2cents.

some of my residents receive 2-cal, so I will usually put the MOM in that. You can try putting the MOM in his healthshake, if you know that's what he drinks all of. Just a suggestion. I have a couple residents who are completely with it and will wait until evening 3 for the suppository, and will not take anything before then.

we have specific bowel protocol in our facility. On the people that are always on it, I start w/warm prune juice. This works most of the time. However, our protocol is: On evening 2 w/no BM, our kitchen has this mixture of blended prunes, applesauce and whipped cream that we give a medicine cup to (30 cc size). Day 3, milk of mag Evening 3 - suppository Day 4 - fleets then call MD if still ineffective.