Amyjosonata

So I live in MD right now and we got a letter saying we couldn't use excelsior for LPN to RN. It just so happens that we are moving to PA does anyone know if PA board of nursing is allowing students to sit for the N CLEX in pa?

well I thought i would add my comment. I am still in nursing school and haven't done OB yet but as a patient, I had a horrible delivery experience. I was in terrible back labor for a long time, seems forever but it was at least five hours. Epidural came and it was like HURRAY!!!!!! However when it came to pushing I couldn't push effectively and got to the three hour mark and the doctor used forceps, and as he was pulling, CRACK there went my coccyx. As well as the cord being wrapped around her neck three times. I am sure people have had worse but I was grateful to have the epi. However, that being said, next time-NO EPIDURAL. I want to push and feel it ! Shouldn't be anything holding the next one in :)

So I am just a beginning LPN student but let me tell ya, we are working hard to get our licenses and after all the hard work, rn or lpn you just want a little respect for your accomplishments. I am not jealous of any RN student or think that either of us are working harder than the other. My instructor said we have to change the culture around us so that we are all a valuable piece. We are all trying to help people, it is not kill or be killed.

I don't know how you guys feel about the part about telling the person about God in reference to them deciding to be taken off the vent. I think I would allow the chaplain to handle that. I am myself a Christian but I think at that time I would have to make the decision to be the persons' nurse and not their pastor. Their friend perhaps, but I think the separation of minister and nurse are important for obtaining good ethics. I am not saying that the religions part isn't important, it is. I think though to be involved in the medical part it might be wise to relay this the chaplain. It might be okay to talk about this subject as long as it is not pushing it on them. I don't know, I know that I live in a place that is close to alot of different ethnicities and if I had alot of different beliefs put on me by my nurse it would be stressful at a time like that.

She may forget, but the point is, is to not assume that she doesn't have the capability to understand. To give her a chance at least. My suggestion was to have them write on her markerboard ONE HOUR TILL BATH and then write 30 MINUTES UNTIL BATH . I mean i know everyone is busy but it really wouldn't be that much bother. It would be less bother than to fight with her for 20 minutes. Quicker to try. Sorry about your grandfather. It is a saddening process. When my grandfather had alzeheimers he would say it was like walking into a fog. I hope you get to spend some quality time with him.

I think those are all good ideas. It is just a frustrating experience when you know that a loved one of yours is living in fear and feeling unstable about her surroundings. I think it is important that staff be friendly and caring but it is not a friendship, staff shouldn't EXPECT the resident to be friendly but treat them equally and respectfully if they are not friendly. There should be expectations for the staff not the patient. I think the sponge bath in her room idea is great. She has terrible osteoporosis and R.A. It just seems that in this specific facility, even though they are a good facility there is a ton of gossip which is kind of a HIPAA violation don't you think? For example my grandmother gained 40 lbs after the death of my grandfather. So my mother went in to talk to the dietician and about her portions. I think this is fine, if a person has chronic hemorroids, R.A. and Osteo, they extra weight on a small frame will create discomfort on lifts etc. She would cry everytime they would put her on a lift to go to the bathroom. So after ,my mom went in and talked to the dietician I guess they started some buzz that my mom was being a pain in the A** and didn't want grandma to eat. So get this, mom went in to see her the other day and a nurse who didn't know it was my mother said "yeah, she is a sweet old lady too bad her daughter doesn't want her to eat, she is trying to put her on a diet" Doesn't that violate some type of confidentiality law? They have also used intimidation tactics with my grandma, like if she is being stubborn (we are italian and this happens alot) they will say to her "You just want until your daughter gets here then you will be in trouble'' Then when my mom goes in again grandma is scared and crying because she feels abandoned and that mom doesn't want to see her anymore. I just think it is really abusive. My mom goes in everyday and advocates with her. I never thought I would be into geriatrics but I feel that it is an area where the patients need people who won't take crap and who stick up for them.

I know it must be very difficult working with patients and seeing them deteriorate, but my point is that, the whole focus should be on patient care not on CNA's feelings. You know what I mean? Like you have to expect that in geratric LTC that things may be less than congenial at times. It must be hard but taking care of the patients is the most important thing. I think the shower bag is a great idea. I think my point with that was, it was like when I was studying Early Childhood Education, We always told the kids that they had a timeframe for cleaning up their toys etc, like "we are going to recess in five minutes" or "cleanup is in 2 minutes" Instead of just taking their toys away and expecting them to cope well. Maybe she might forget but at least for the time being she is mentally preparing herself how she is able. Does that make sense? Thanks for the advice.

So, I have somewhat of a quandry with the nurses in my Grandmother's LTC. I am JUST a nursing student and I don't want to seem like I am trying to start something but I think that there are some problems. Does it ever seem to anyone else that sometimes there is a lack of understanding of a Patient, or Client relationship/ nurse, CNA relationship as opposed to a Friend or Grandmother/ nurse, CNA relationship. My grandmother is suffering from dementia and in my opinion side effects of pain meds and she is doing some name calling, and recently attempted to hit one of the nurses before they took her to her shower. My problem with this is that if a person is suffering from dementia and thinks that her only safe place is her little room, and someone tries to take her to shower without warning, that she is going to react that way. I think she needs some kind of warning or needs to be told an hour or two before. The CNA that takes care of my grandma used to be pretty careful at taking good care of her. Now recently since the dementia started she is taking my grandmothers comments personally. I think people need to understand in LTC that I know that you can get attached to these people but that they are your PATIENTS and your CLIENTS NOT YOUR FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT YOUR GRANDPARENTS!! These are not people that it is NOT appropriate to expect a two way friendship. People in LTC go downhill. You take care of them and respect them not expect them to be your wise old grandparents. It is a JOB that needs to be done well. I also think that these people need to understand that these post WWII generation people come from a different time and understanding and culture. There is a different level of respect than is needed in our generation's more casual culture. Certain things may offend them that don't offend us. What do you think? Am I crazy?

LPN STUDENT HERE!!!!! All done with a and P and psych etc. Start clinical rotations and nursing classes in JULY!!!! I am in a 9 month program, really excited and NERVOUS!!!!!!! Glad to see others out there!

So yesterday I just had my orientation for LPN school. I had been looking forward to this for what seemed forever, I had completed all the prequisites, even for an RN, and jumped MANY hurdles, with chemistry A and P etc. I had been to college before as a music major so I have been through the whole "trying to just get a degree thing". They crazy thing to me was that I NEVER when I was dreaming about all of this imagined until this orientation how detailed and how much work and training this is going to take. How much ethical and legal responsibility it is. I am NOT saying I am going to quit I am in this for the long run but I must say my anxiety over the whole thing has increased 10 fold. I know success is a possibility but I am feeling discouraged with the " You only will be able to work in nursing homes" "They are phasing you out" along with the whole overwhelming idea of trying to learn so many aspects of such a fragile profession. Where you hold people's lives in your hands. I am overhwhelmed by the responsibility it is. I am just rambling but I wanted to post this because I am sure people have been where I was yesterday. Wanting to be taken seriously and be recognized for the accomplishments, but still floating in self doubt. I sure makes me want to be kinder to everyone in every health care situation.

Don't let anything stand in your way. Doing something like this that you can be proud of IMO is something that can change your entire life for the better. Do it for Yourself first and your family second. You can live everyday of your life afterward being proud of what you accomplished. And if you do..... why not aim high. Set reasonable, attainable goals... you have nowhere to go but up/forward! Best wishes.. good luck! Doing something for yourself and your family second in my opinion, goes against what a family IS. Doing things for the benefit and BETTERMENT of each other. I am not saying not to aim high but if you married someone you made a commitment not to trample on them to get what you want or make decisions despite what their opinions are.

Nursing School is a big commitment. Perhaps your wife is just a little concerned and is just voicing her concerns in a way that is not as positive as you would like. Also, a career in nursing is SOMETIMES. difficult for a normal family life. Consider perhaps until you get some experience you might have to work nights and then there are the weekends and it will MOST LIKELY be somewhat emotionally draining. You have a young daughter, and perhaps she is concerned that it would take a toll on how all of you bond together. I recommend trying to work something out that you guys can be partners in it and not work against each other. My husband was concerned when I first wanted to be a nurse because it would be hard to see all the sickness and not be emotionally involved, but we made the commitment to do it together we also have a young daughter and let me tell you I wouldn't want to come home at the end of a long day knowing he was not with me 100% . It also makes a MUCH happier environment for kids if mom and dad are happy and BOTH working for their betterment. Hope it works out for you!

Are all of your LPN programs full as well? What about CNA? My advice would be to go with something that (even if it is from the ground up) would support you in your future career. A CNA would get you some floor time and then you could move to LPN or if you can do LPN right away and do a bridge program to RN. Did you check out any votech schools. The ones around me, have LPN programs that are 12 months, and no prereqs required. I am doing a LPN program starting this summer because it is viritually IMPOSSIBLE to get in anywhere without waiting what feels like a million years. I figure if I can't get into RN school then I could do an online LPN-RN thing. One more thing. COlleges can be pretty accepting about transferring credits as long as they meet the general criteria. Don't let that discourage you!!! You can do it!

I don't know how it works in nursing school ( I start this summer) but I know just having kids really helps with the whole gag thing. I NEVER used to be able to handle puke or poop but my daughter gets really scared when she is sick so instead of facing her away when she throws up she just ends up throwing up on me. Gross I know but I am glad for the experience in the bodily fluids. I don't suggest going out and having a baby though just to get used to bodily fluids. Sputum- now that is a whole nother beast.

Wow! That is an intense story. I was just thinking about how difficult it would be, being a parent myself, to agree with parents who stand by and watch...........To follow someone's orders even though it would mean the life of someone so innocent. I can't even watch movies that have to do with children being hurt, without (I know this is a no no) after going in my daughters room and waking her up and making sure she is okay. I wonder how it affects others in fields that don't have to do with children. I wonder if having children somewhat increases the inclination to be a bit biased toward compassion. I always resented before I had kids when people would say that having children changes you. But I really think it does.