MadamMermaid

You're not the first or the last to have failed, and plenty of smart nurses have been in your shoes. Get out the tears, put a "kick me" sign on ur mom's back, and move on. You know exactly what you're up against now and you have that experience to help you next time! You passed ur program so you've got what it takes, keep that chin up!

I'm about 9 months into my 11.5 month LPN program. Everyone is right, it will take over your life. Take a longer program over a shorter one, the time crunch is the most difficult aspect. So much to learn in that year and it's all worth it! It isn't extremely challenging but people certainly do fail, it requires a lot of dedication. lots o luck!

Don't let anyone pressure you into anything outside your scope. People put on the pressure and act as though you're being a burdeon BUT what do you think will happen if there was an error? Anyone gonna have your back then? Definately not. Good luck and be strong!

The elderly are not physically able to join in on a lot of social activities outside the home. As an example, my grandmother can't go to the movies anymore because it hurts/it's a lot of walking/bathrooms aren't as close as they need to be. A lot of elderly are in a great deal of pain which makes any activity exhausting. Inside LTC facilities, while they do their best (can't say that for all..but many do!) not everyone can have sufficient attention because so many basic needs have to be met and there isn't enough staff. In LTC they have bible groups, "beauty" day activies (like painting nails or getting haircuts), mild exercise, musical entertainment. There's lots to do depending on the facility and the ability/desire of the resident to be involved. I could go on but this is your homework and I still have to do mine! hehe. Just think about yourself and what might happen when you get older if you're in a facility. What problems might you personally have? Hope I helped a little.

I can't speak from personal experience (not married, no kids, live at home..lucky me hehe). However, there are many people in my LPN class who juggle kids/work and live to tell the tale. My classes are 5 days a week/7 hours per day. Just be real with yourself. Find out exactly what the school is going to expect from you. Know that they will slam you with tons of work and you won't get much time for a social life. You'll lose sleep and your temper I'm sure, but it's worth it. Keep your eye on the prize. It's only going to be about a year and yes you can make it. Good luck with whatever it is you decide!

Of course some are going to be helpful and some are going to be snotty. I just started my clinicals and this one nurse in particular, from the moment we got there, has given nothing but dirty looks to us. Anytime we asked a question she was curt. Anytime we were around she looked annoyed because she had to do "the right thing" going on with a pt who was upset (dementia unit) and it took time away from doing her meds. It just seemed like she was mad because now she had to do everything the way she was taught. Little does she know she is actually helping me learn. She's teaching me how to deal with jerks in the workplace. I'm sure i'll use this lesson time and time again!

For those of you who are in or went through the Excelsior RN program I have a few questions. Do your transcripts from prior schooling play a big role in acceptance into the program? Do you need prior experience in the field as an LPN before enrolling or can you go straight from PN graduation? How are you RN clinicals different from those in your LPN program? I heard the instructors were more strict about observing you than helping and teaching you while in clinical. Was it organized? Did you feel it was thorough? I know some people who are ignorant about the work it takes to get through the program. Has it affected you in any way in terms of getting a job? As far as I know, if you pass your boards then you have proved you are a competant RN. I just want to know if any employers had ever looked down upon your schooling as "oh internet school is unsafe". Hope someone out there can answer these for me and I apologize if these questions have been answered already. Thanks in advance!!!

You're not living your life for this relative. I'm sure it's not the first time someone in your family has criticized a decision you've made and it won't be the last. Of course she probably meant well, they always do. She obviously doesn't know what she's talking about since plenty of LPNs make good $$$$$. Her comment is not valid and it's not helping, so shove it outta ur head. Many many of us (including myself) have gotten this sort of response in our choice for the LPN program. It's never a good feeling when people don't appreciate how hard we've worked/are working to get to a goal. But you know it. You know how much it's going to change you and all the great things you're going to accomplish for yourself. Your patients will certainly appreciate and value what you're doing. Good for you for sticking to your guns!

My mom and I work at the same hospital (she's been a nurse for almost 30yrs, and I'm a aide/student). Our facility went live several months ago. She, and most of the other nurses, were VERY apprehensive about the new charting. In the beginning it took much longer for assessments and everyone was flipping with confusion. Now they've all gotten used to it and no one is discouraged by it. There is always a "power user" around to give support/answer questions. Just ask lots of questions, be confident, go in with an open mind, and it will become part of your routine. Since day one my nursing instructors always remind us that nurses have to be "flexible! flexible!".

For the current program I'm in there were 40 accepted and almost 400 who applied. Yikies. However, I didn't have pre reqs. Instead it was an entrance test (which I took twice, I passed the first time but I wanted the best score I could get and was allowed to do it 2x). The interview/reference letters/personal letter/entrance test were crucial for me. Lots of ppl will have a good GPA (not to say that it isn't a big factor). They want to see reasons to believe you'll be devoted and professional with no excuses. So many ppl want in and you need to let them see that you're truly ready to dive in.

Way to go!!!!

My mother has been a nurse there for probably 20 years or more. I also work there part time as a tech (we are both pool at both divisions). I absolutely love the nurses, haven't met many at all who I didn't think were bright, hardworking, friendly, and caring. I know my mom makes a lot of money, but she's also pool/has tons of skills/and has been there a long time. They really have a lot of opportunities/great benefits for the staff. The hospital is really on top of its' game, can't say enough nice things about it. I'd love to be a nurse there when I get my RN.

If your guy isn't LOVING the fact that you got into a program you've worked hard to get into...and respects that you're gonna need lots of time for studying...then he's not the right person. If you're serious about attaining your goals and creating a life of stability, then he should be too. A needy selfish cry baby doesn't want that for you. Busy lifestyles will always be a strain unless you've just won the lotto and have all the time in the world. Just make this a challenge you're both up for to see what a strong solid couple you can be. No matter how much he loves you, he will get lonely. Just be complete romantic fools when you get the chance. Besides, isn't it the best feeling when you've been apart for awhile and finally have time to be together?

I am about to enter nursing school. I also recently quit smoking. My reasons weren't based on the fact that it would eventually lead to health issues. It's easy to throw aside thoughts of cancer and other illnesses. I could always just step into a comfy state of denial instead. I chose to quit because I knew smoking would stress me out while being in school. All the school work is stressful enough. Who has time to worry about the next cig break too??? Hospitals in my area are soon going to discontinue any smoking on their premises completely. My desire diminished because I felt so guilty being in healthcare and deliberately going against what I'll be preaching to patients. It became more stressful than soothing. Being a former smoker, I can't be snotty since I know how hard it is to deal with. It's a bad habit, we all know that. We all have our vices that don't make us poster children for optimal health. More than nurses, what really gets me is that most of the respiratory staff smokes where I work. And most of the residents too.

Hello, My name is Heather and I'm from southern NJ. I'll be starting a 12 month LPN program at ACIT in August. I'm beyond excited but also enjoying my last few months of semi-freedom! haha I don't see the point since all I can think about is nursing school. And, yes, I'll be persuing my RN afterwards.