lalpn

Thanks, Mudwoman, but CLEP doesn't offer Eng Comp II, Micro or A&P-it would be SOOoo much easier if they did. I plan on taking the CLEP test for Human Growth & Dev., but then I'll still need 5 more credits in Arts & Humanities, and another 2 credits in Sciences supportive of Nursing.

I'm sorry, I apparently wrote something inappropriate in my reply to this, let's see if I can get it right this time. I agree, the Navy should be helping you find suitable housing on base. But, there are MANY apartments and houses available off base-both for lease and sale. Find a realtor to help you. She won't give you info on the crime stats or ethnic population in neighborhoods-- If you want to find stats on crime, go to the Jefferson Parish website and research the neighborhoods you might be interested in. Search NOLA.com: Everything New Orleans for available employment. I see that West Jefferson Hospital has lots of jobs available at a very competitive pay scale, and there are MANY hospitals that are minutes away from the base. Hope this helps

I know "that look" all too well, and my heart just breaks everytime I see it. I get to work 15-20 mins early just to "visit" each of my 25 residents for a minute before my shift starts. A big smile and a gentle touch with a few kind words can literally make their whole day. And even though I "run" from the minute my shift starts til it finally ends, I NEVER rush a resident-to take their meds, or to eat, or whatever and I always take time to ask them how they are doing or if they need anything if they are just sitting in the dayroom. After all, WE are guests in THEIR home! Maybe I'm just an ol' softee, but I treat every resident as I would treat MY parent or grandparent-they deserve it. I never forget that some day, it'll be MY turn to sit in the dayroom!

Hi! I graduated in 1979, but worked as an Lpn only sporatically due to a LOT of marital problems-and my son's health problems. Besides, the pay back then was HORRIBLE-I made $6.50/hr in the ER! I've recently decided to re-enter my profession- and I'm now gathering study material to start taking CLEP tests to get all my pre-reqs out of the way, and then-hopefully- it'll be on to Excelsior! I'm 47, and I ain't gettin' no younger! We've all made the right decision! With a lot of work and a little determination, we'll be the next generation of RN's! Good luck to us all!!

I'm sorry, this is rather long, but I want to help. I know how frustrating it is! Also a heads up if you want to work in a hospital setting-BLS and IV therapy certification are required. There are 2 ways to go about this- I called EVERY Voc-Tech, Community College, and Private Tech School (Delta, etc) within a 50 mile radius of Slidell and searched Google until my fingers were sore and I couldn't think of any more variations of "licensed practical nurse refresher course" slidell LA!! I finally called the LPNE Board and literally Begged the question: What else can I do? Well.....the lady said, let me call you back, and I thought, "yeah, I'll probably hear from her on the 32nd of Neverary" BUT, to my surprise, she called me back about an hour later and asked me if I had done any volunteer work or "provided care" for friends, relatives, ANYBODY. --Well, it just so happens that I was SO busy caring for my aged parents, my mother with a CVA, and my father (too many problems to even list) both total care, my daughter, my son-diagnosed with CF and MR since 2yo, now 20, my husband, and the fact that I was the neighborhood nurse after Katrina--I had literally put all my bills on autopay and my life on hold for five years because I didn't even have time to go through my mail!! I didn't even THINK about renewing my license, because the renewal was never seen. She said send documentation. I don't think she expected a 13 page, 8 year condensed "Nurse's Notes" with names, dates, Dx, Tx, meds, and care plans with rationale that I wrote for each family member. My family came back 2 days after Katrina, so I stayed busy for a few weeks with victims of the aftermath. I listed the approximate dates and types of injuries/problems encountered and the nursing diagnosis/tx/follow-up that was done. I also sent a pic of my Driver's license, my Diploma, my original "Boards" score in 1979, my birth certificate and marriage certificate. I received my renewal form in the mail 2 days later. The second way to do this is MUCH more difficult---RN proctoring. Since this is usually done in a SNF or LTC setting, I seriously doubt that any RN will have the time to shadow you and then fill out the mountain of documentation that has to be completed in order for you to "pass" and tend to her duties as well. I did, in fact, call around to some LTCs, and they all but told me to forget it-call the Voc-Techs for a refresher. Good luck, CLICK. I am reviewing nursing procedures for various dx, pharmacology, lab norms, tests, etc. my own refresher course!!