sarajasmine

I was an LPN for 3 yrs before I received my RN. I believe their are needs for all levels of Nursing. As an RN, I have also worked with some outstanding LPN's! Being an LPN landed a strong foundation for my Nursing. I have NEVER had regrets about the Nursing route I have taken!!

I can TOTALLY relate to you! In most cases, if the family members are actually Nurses-most are not bedside nurses(most are Nurse's aides)...if they are, they would understand the priorities and the critical importance of dealing with urgent matters first! I have over 27 yrs of Nursing; mainly in Critical care and some Psych delt with all kinds of families. I've had family members take down a diary of everything that was given to their family member, every NS IV flush, current hemodynamic readings, drip rates and PRN meds. They documented how often the patient was turned. Initially, I felt insulted that they were questioning my knowledge, but I began to understand that it was mainly THEIR fear, they felt out of control. I realized this when my Uncle was in ICU, and all of my relatives made sure the staff knew that I was an ICU Nurse! It may have intimidated a few, but some talked to me as a Nurse. All I knew was that I was on the outside, looking in! I felt helpless. Over the yrs, the constant watching and recording of the details doesn't bother me anymore. I learned through my experience with my Uncle, people want information. I explain everything that I am doing or giving their loved one-they just want to know what's going on and if they are without pain. It wasn't a personal attack on me...they thought they might be losing their loved one. The only thing I have a problem with is-if a family member 'says' they are a Nurse and come to find out-they are NOT an LPN/LVN or RN! If they're a CNA, they are NOT a Nurse! I have no issues with CNA's, I was one myself-did private duty, worked in a Nursing hm. But, I never pretended to be a Nurse when I hadn't earned that licence. It seems the more you explain to patient's families, and ask how can I make 'him or her' more comfortable? A radio, special tv show, a warm fuzzy blanket..? You will end up being the most requested Nurse!

I don't know how long you've been in Nursing, but I understand 'Burnout'! I've been in Nursing for 27 yrs. One option is to work for an agency-different assignments. Occassionally, you want to work there for a while. I did M/S Nsg then, ICU-Tele, but as I have gotten older I am not into the adrenaline rush of trauma and codes. I have found that working in Mental health is interesting. Not alot of emergencies or dying...just trying to get people to take their meds or deal with elabling family members. I understand what you're saying-I sometimes feel I've done enough, when I get hm I don't want anyone to ask me for anything, but then I feel guilty! Maybe check out different specialties and see if they are willing to train you for that specialty. Forensic Nursing is on the rise. My email is sarajasmine@ att.net if you need to talk! Best wishes for all that is good, Jane Scribner, RN

Who cares about the staffing coodinator? You deal with elderly patients who can't fight off germs...plus, how can you do your job well if you're sick? You also expose co-workers to any illness that you might have. (Sounds viral!)

I'm a 1984 ASN grad and re-enrolling in the BSN program. I've taken several tests through Excelsior and CLEP and I believe you get a Pass or fail grade. Contact Excelsior for clarification.

Excelsior offers the option of testing vs courses. I'm a 1984 Grad of the A.S.N. program. I was an LPN prior to that. I realized that I was doing almost everything that the RN's were doing except hanging blood and TPN, but they were making almost twice my salary! I then went back to school to get my RN! All of the tests you take have available study guides. Follow them to the 'T'! I couldn't afford buying all of the textbooks-so, I spent time at the library. I never took a Chronicity test or course to be able to advise you. I know that Statistics is required for the BSN program-not much looking forward to that. Good Luck! Jane

I am a 1984 graduate of Excelsior(formerly NY Regents College). I earned my LPN in 1982. I worked along new BSN grads that never even inserted a catheter! I am in the process of going back to college at age 50! Excelsior has a very high passage rate on RN state boards. Yes, your LPN experience is extremely important. The clinical tests are not as easy as you might think! A tip I would give you is to study the guide carefully because there are no shortcuts-as Nurses; LPN or RN we learn shortcuts...even if the end result is the same! Don't assume your evaluator knows what your thinking-you have to speak it out, almost as if you had a new nurse following you! Be VERY careful about your careplans!! I forgot to put an outcome for one of my interventions and had to repeat 1 clinical eval! I agree alot of the testing is easy-, but we are already experienced Nurses. Alot comes from practice. Best of luck to you! If you want to contact me as a former Excelsior Grad feel free! I'd love to encourage you in any way! Jane Scribner, RN

I am an RN with an A.S.N degree. I've worked as an RN for over 25 years. I almost finished my BSN, but had to drop out due to financial and family issues. As far as salary, not much difference. As far as other opportunities, a BSN does provide more! I am seriously considering returning back to school soon to complete my BSN at least! If finances are not an issue, I'd probably say the BSN program would be a better choice!

I'm the person who originally posted this-seen many deviations from the original topic. I used to be a CNA and a LPN and can relate to those issues. I also happen to have an Excellent CMA at our family doctor's office, she is GREAT with my daughter, very professional but, also refers to herself as Dr T."s assistant. She is very professional and is skilled in areas I am not-even as an RN-I don't draw blood on regular basis, I don't do strep tests. I've worked in the hospital environment mostly over the last 22 yrs. I applaud CNA's, CMA's, LPN's/LVN's, as well as students working on their education!!

non-nurses calling themselves nurses -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Concerning the CNA at my child's school.... Yes, she admininisters meds to kids at school as long as they have a perscription bottle labeled appropriately! Don't know about insulin or special need students-that REALLY concerns me! Is she administering sliding scale insulin?! Don't know?! A child is not aloud to self-administer even a cough drop without her permission. Who gives her these assessment rights w/o the proper level of education? Can't find a district Nurse listed ANYWHERE on the Lancaster ISD website or internet! She might be certified in 1st aide by red cross and cpr certified but, that still doesn't make her a "Nurse". If an emergency was to occur-how could she take a verbal order from the medical director of the district? That's not within her scope of practice! I think the school districts that are lower income are trying to cut corners and hope nothing happens! Jane

To-Roy F. I was the person who originally posted this message-it was concerning Nursing Assistants calling themselves "Nurses" which they are not. They don't have the education to do a Nursing assessment or receive verbal doctor's orders in case of emergency. Fortunately, no emergency in my daughter's case but, a potential concern(see original post).

Congratulations!! As a graduate of Regents College(now Excelsior) I know how excited you are-that is not an easy exam!

I've taken some clep exams along with RCD-used to be EC. They provide very acurate study guides from what I remember-with references from texts you can bollow from the library or or purchase fairly cheap. If you can study well on your own-it;s a good way to go. Better for me cause I seem to take tests well angd chgeaper in the long run.

That's about as bad as my situation or WORSE! Can you turn HER into the BON for imposters? That's just scarey! How did she come to that title? The doctor could be facing charges as well!!

I did contact the BON-who said they can not prosecute unless this CNA actually signs her name as "RN" or "LVN". Another way would be if more than just myself, heard her refer to herself as a "Nurse" then, this would have to be submitted in a legal document form and then, submitted to the BON in TX. I did however, send a complaint my email to the TX Dept of Health asking them to please investigate as they govern CNA's in this state-not our BON. Haven't heard anything though. I haven't talked to the Principal-I think that is most likely a waste of my time and could cause a problem for my child who is attending school there. The school board won't even discuss this with me unless I talk to the Principal-But, she is not the medical person qualified to supervise this CNA! Kind of frustrating!