mjm1979

I have a question... I'm a fairly new nurse, who did not work as an aide. I've worked a couple of years in LTC and am in the process of starting some PRN hospice agency work. I have never done post mortem care or have never seen it done. I basically know what to do, but how does one do this by themselves? I was thinking that when the time comes I would ask the facility aide on the floor to help me with the turning/brief change. Is this typically what is done? If I'm working with someone who can't turn themselves, as least partially, I will have the facility aide or nurse help me change the brief. Since I never have worked as an aide I'm very poor at changing briefs on someone who can't move, especially a large person, and it terrifies me to think that I'll toll the deceased off the bed while I'm doing PMC...

Thanks so much!

Let me know how the test is after you take it, if you don't mind. I'm guessing it's a test similar to the NCLEX. There are several sections of the HESI and from what I understand the school picks the sections to give. So, I wanted to know if they were testing over Physics, math, etc so I knew what to study for. I just keep getting told that it's a test over what we should know as an LPN. So, again, I'm guessing it's just a general PN knowledge test, sort of like NCLEX. Let me know if you don't mind tho, coz I don't want to be wasting time trying to learn Physics and studying things that won't be on the test. Otherwise, I'll just go over my school work and NCLEX study guide. The first HESI exam for the next online class is going to be March, according to the school secretaries. Thanks for staying in touch.

CaringLPN, Do you still work for them? I'm considering applying. What facilities has everyone in the Dayton area been sent to? How is the pay?

I plan on starting next year doing the online PN - RN. I hear it is very difficult... Some folks say they have you read 200 - 300 pages in a two week period without and study guides, power points or anything and then some folks have said that you do get study guides, power points and the occasional taped lecture... I'm confused, because, basically I don't know what to believe! I'm an older student and I don't think I'll be able to make it without some guidelines on what to study, b/c my memory just isn't what it used to be. The campus based program is not an option for me b/c I live 2 1/2 hours away from the University. Can any of you give us some insight? Thanks so much!!

Well, I emailed one of he secretaries again yesterday to see if they have the dates set yet for the HESI and she responded back today. They are now going to be giving the HESI for the August 2011 online program in the spring and summer rather than this fall.

I've worked for EDS twice. If Electronic Data Systems is the company you're referring to. Back in the early '80s in Illinois. They had a contract with the state of Illinois and we processed Medicare claims. This was still when Perot was at the helm. It was a great company to work for. Second time was for about a year and a half in Ohio. I only worked 2 nights a week, four hour shifts this time. I wasn't real involved in things and I worked through a temp agency. I left b/c they gave me a dime raise during this whole time. When my boss gave me the raise she said that she knew it wasn't much but to ask for another one in about three months. When I did she looked at me like I had two heads and said 'no.'

Angl987, are you going to be taking the campus based class or the online class? I am corresponding with a couple of people who are currently taking the online class and they say it's very difficult, esp. the med/surg class. I was really aggravated that they are changing the entrance exam to the HESI. I was told that this year the online applicants were going to have to take the NLN b/c the program is becoming so popular now. Last year they had to turn down some applicants, so they're going to use the exam to rank people. So, I go out and buy about $70 worth of study guides and start studying and then I called he campus a couple of weeks ago and they said that they're going to be giving the HESI instead. Grrrr. So, I spent another $35 bucks for the HESI guide. And to date I've not been able to find out when the exams are to be given and what sections they're going to be testing on. I don't want to teach myslef Physics if they aren't going to include it in the exam... they told me they were going to be giving the exam once in Oct, Nov, and Dec. The last I heard they still didn't have the exam dates yet and she didn't know which sections they were going to test on. Thanks for responding. Did your friend do the online or campus program?

Jen159, I tried to email you through the website here with my phone number a couple of days ago... did you get the email? Thanks

Jen 159, I'd love some info!! I worked this weekend tho and am exhausted so I'll try to write tomorrow. Did you complete the program? Are you in it now? I'd possibly be interested in buying some books but I don't think we can do that here. You can email if you'd like. Is the med/surg class a whole semester?? How many months? I've heard it's extremely difficult and time consuming. Someone said that they'll assign you around 200 pages to read in a two week period and then test you on it without giving you much info about what they're going to test you on. I thought they were supposed to have study guides and power points and so forth... thanks, I'll write again possibly tomorrow.

I'm surrently studying for the NLN and Physics is what has me the most worried. I've never taken a Physics class. The Chemistry is all coming back to me, as I've had some basic Chem in middle school, high school and my PN program. One of the things I'm wondering about the Physics portion is if they want questions answered in the British system or the SI system? For example, the formulas for acceleration of gravity. The acceleration of an object falling freely near the surface of the earth is 9.8 m/s squared or 32 ft/s squared... Do you suggest memorizing both formulas? What do they use on the actual test? It looks like there's going to be quite a few formulas to memorize and of course I don't want to memorize a bunch I won't need. Thanks.

I'll be taking the exam in Nov or possibly Dec and I'm really worried. I've never taken a Physics class in my life. I bought an intro to Physics book along with the NLN study guide and am trying to teach myself physics. I also really have to brush up on my Chemistry and other sciences. I'm lousy at math, but this is basic stuff I've had before, so I think refreshing myself won't be too difficult... just time consuming. My question is: When asking Physics questions on the test, do they want the answers in the British system or the SI system? In a book I'm using for gravity for example, it gives you the formulas for both. I don't want to waste time memorizing formulas in both systems for each topic if the test asks the questions in just one system... Are the questions in feet or meters? Thanks!

Also, do the students have access to study guides or a powerpoint to know what they want you to know for the test? thanks.

OSUFan1, Thanks so much for your reply. So, when you said the transition class wasn't really intense, but boring, is that the sciences transition class as well? When you test at the proctor sites, is that somewhere such as Pearsonvue? do you have to pay fees for every test? That could get pricey if in some classes you're tested weekly. How many times do you get to take the HESI? I've never taken it. I took ATI as an exit exam after my PN program. How often did you get breaks and generally how long are they? Thanks again!

OSUfan1, can you tell me a little about Rio's online program? I am taking the NLN entrance exam hopefully in Nov or Dec to get into the program next year. I don't personally know anyone who's gone through the program so I don't have much to go by. There are two people I'm corresponding with via email who are getting ready to start the program. They just completed the online orientation that goes over all the info you need for the online program, such as getting into areas to talk to other students, getting into areas with study guides, the blackboard area, etc. But then I had someone PM me who said that this program is the equivalent of give someone a Med Surg book on Monday and telling them to study chapter 5 and 6 and then having a test on Friday with no study guide, power point or anything.... was this your experience? One of the ladies I'm talking with said she met a woman during her PN clinicals who had taken the program and she thought 'if she did it, so can I.' So, now I'm concerned... also, I'm worried about the transition courses. From what I understand the Sciences transition program is the equivalent of two A&P course and a Micro course and it's all done in eight weeks. I asked the secretary if it was very intense and she said it was. I'm considering doing some heavy A&P and micro studying from textbooks before taking the transition course. Anything you can share will be helpful... thanks a lot!

I agree that your family should seek out Palliative care folks to guide and educate. I work in a LTC facility and work with palliative/hospice care teams frequently and they are wonderful. Does your grandmother have a living will and healthcare power of attorney? These are important documents and that's where the family should start, if she has these documents. I would ask the hospital she's in if they have a palliative care team and if so, ask to speak with them. If not, I'd call your local hospice, because sometimes they will have a palliative care team or can lead you to one. With most physicians the goal is to keep the patient alive at all costs, otherwise it's viewed as failure to them. So you probably won't get the information you need from them. Palliative or Hospice folks can educate the family on what is physically happening and what will happen each step of the way if treatment is resumed or stopped. Good luck to you.

Dysmnesia1, Did you complete Rio's program? I'm thinking about starting there next fall (2011). I'd like any info you can give me. Was it doable with working and family? Were the transition courses difficult?

SShannon, I'm thinking about doing Rio's online program too... I saw the school on the OBN website, but it didn't mention the online program. I'm guessing it's accepted and you don't have trouble getting employment etc. I'm in the Dayton area and am shooting to start in the fall of next year (2011) but am having a hard time finding folks who went there to answer questions. Was it a doable program with working and family responsibilites? If you fail a class can you repeat amount of times? Oh, yeah my big question... How were the transition classes? They worry me. As I understand it, you go for five weeks for the nursing sciences classes and then five weeks for psych, etc. I asked about doing classes at my local college and she said I could but I'd have to have a Micro class and two A&P classes. So I'm just concerned that doing the equivalent of a Micro and two A&P classes in only five weeks would be pretty daunting.... I'm worried about it. I'm considering buying a Micro and biology book that my local college uses and studying ahead of time.

Did any of you end up doing Rio's online program? I'm thinking of starting next year, the fall of 2011. I've been talking to folks at the school and also to people who are going to start this fall.

I have to take this exam before I start an LPN-RN program next fall and am anxious about it. Mainly because I heard it contains questions on Chemistry and Electricity and a few other things I'm unfamiliar with. I was on Amazon while back looking at review books and the rating people were giving the books and they mentioned this. For those of you who've taken the exam, do you think studying your PN books and studying an NCLEX study book/disk will be enough?

Do they offer an online PN-RN program? I am considering doing Rio Grande's online program. They are 3 1/2 hours away from me and the clinical sites will be about 1 1/2 away. Columbus is an hour or so away from me. Thanks!

Hey Crickett, what all have you learned about Rio's program? I applied there a few days ago. My transcripts are on their way there. I think I'll wait until next year tho d/t big things happening in my life this year. I'll be ready to start next year, and in the meantime can take the Communications class here locally and get it out of the way. I just dread taking the NLN Nursing Mobility test to get in next year. Have you gone to an info meeting at the school? Have you heard anything about the transition courses? I was going to take the required Microbiology and two A&P classes now and then just have the sciences transition course waived. The woman I spoke with at the school told me that I could do that but that the transition course is only five weeks long, as opposed to the length of time to take each class. That worries me, b/c I'm thinking that if they do the equivalent of a micro and two A&P courses in only five weeks that it has to be incredibly intense. I didn't ask her about testing... didn't think of it at the time. I'm hoping that one can go to, say, a local testing center to take the tests as opposed to driving to the school, which is a three hour drive for me. I was told my clinical locations would be in Chillocothe, which is about an hour and a half for me.

I'm considering taking Rio Grande's online PN-RN program next fall. I will be required to take the NLN Nursing Mobility Profile 1 Test for acceptance into the program. I understand that this test includes topics such as Chemistry and Physics. I've never taken classes in either. I'm probably going to buy a study book but am wondering if I can pass this test without taking Chem or Physics classes? How difficult is this test?

Thanks!!!

I'm seriously looking into doing Rio Grande's online PN-RN program and am wondering about the lab issue. The online program has no labs - the clinical rotations substitute for labs. I'm an older student who loves my job in LTC and plan on just staying right where I'm at after I've completed my RN, but I want to make sure this program with no labs will not cause me problems as far as the state board goes,or employers or if I do decide to go furher to a BSN program. Thanks!