tgb3rn

Well, I can understand some of the points she was attempting to point out. The problem is the fact that it was written by a Female. Don't get me wrong here ladies, I love ya to death, but you really have no idea how my head works and thinks any more than I do yours. After working in a hospital for 7 years as the ONLY male nurse, the only thing I really understand is that I will never understand women in general. You know, the Mars and Venus thing. JMHO Tom Disclamer: I intended no blanket statment about women in general. Everyone is different. Your experience may vary....blah, blah, blah......

I am guessing due to your title--Cold in Alaska, that you are in a small critical access hospital, small anyway. I would guess you are not JCAHO certified. The hospital I work at is not. In the situation you are in, it will be a problem. Small will often mean the very few set the rules for the rest of us. It is almost impossible if you are not already one of the special few. If you step on toes then you may get the whole foot in your backside. Try to make changes in small steps. After everyone gets used to the first step, take another. Good luck, Tom

If I had to take a guess, I would say you were talking about Rolla. I vacation down that way. Nice place. Tom

I did it, but it almost killed me. While in LPN classes I worked full time. I took ALL of my RN pre-req's at that time as well. 23 credit hrs in first sem. I found a school 2hrs from me that had pre-req's one night a week. I was in class from 7am untill 1030pm 3 nights a week Mon, Tue, Wed. I worked night shift as an NA 12hrs Thu, Fri, Sat. Then went on for my RN through Excelsior while working TWO full time jobs, 12hr nights. I worked 2 full time jobs, watched our youngest all day (3) while my wife went to LPN school. She was a whimp---didn't work at all while in school. As a side note, ALL of my school was paid for by my employer/pell grants/scholorships. I am now an RN working only one job, 3-12's on nights. I make 30$ an hour with differentials and all in a low cost of living area of rural Nebraska. Good luck.

Well---I blow so we cancelled each other out......wait....I'm a guy and that just didn't sound right. Tom

GOOD NEWS FOR YOU!!I am the one you need to speak to. I was an LPN-C in Nebraska first and went through Excelsior (the school in question). I have been an RN for about 3 years now. Unless you live in or around Omaha, there is no such thing as a night nursing program anyplace in this state. Most people in the U.S. just do not know what rural, REALLY means. Excelsior is not all that bad. If you PM me I will tell you all you want and even have some free stuff to help you out. There is also a forum on here for students that has ALOT of good info for Excelsior students. (by the way---it is NOT online but distance learning.) Tom

Small town hospital in the middle of nowhere. I work 7p-7a, the doc is at home in bed, 2 other RN's on the next floor. I'm it in the ER, lab, xray, r/t are all in bed at home but on call. When this happens where I am, I call another RN down and call in the Doc. If it was SVT and the Pt is in acute distress (as in do it now or never) in it goes but the pads would be in place. Tom

I KNOW mine would.

I was in the same boat as you about 5 years ago, always getting laid off from factory type jobs. The last time it happened I started nursing school and working as a CNA in the Hospital. I got my LPN first, then IV certification, then Excelsior for my RN. I am now sitting at work (night shift) as the Charge Nurse at 25$ hr:specs: Good Luck Tom

Quality is as good as it gets, well worth the $$. As for the zipper fly, pointless, they don't go all the way up--you still need to pull them down to go;). I paid the extra for the zipper and wish I had not. I like the ER pockets in the pants and the cargo pocket shirt myself. Tom

I think I have them both beat.:uhoh21: I have been refered to as the big hairy man nurse so much I am starting to like it. Tom

I like my way of dealing with that type, I just give them a look like I'm going to rip his freaking head off. But then again I'm a 6'1", 230lb, big hairy man nurse:devil:. They don't need to know I wouldn't hurt a fly. This has worked well for me to this point but doubt it will for most others. Tom.

Not worth it.

I assume she is speaking of the grids that Excelsior students use for the CPNE. I am sure some one will chime in and help better than I. I did not use them. It is a way of memorizing the critical elements for each area of care and then writting them on the back of your paper after the test starts. I can only tell you what I did. I read the carjack (study guide for CPNE) 2x then, practiced those things with my everyday work at the hospital. Good luck to you Tom

VERY nice description, but if you REALY want to get to know them, try joining them!! I am the ONLY male nurse at the small hospital I work at. GOOD GOD could I post some stories here!! They made me swear not to though, and threatened all sorts of nasty things if I did. Tom

I had it pretty good I guess. I had a full ride for my LPN, My ADN was 75% paid for by my employer. No I am working on the BSN side and this will be the first time I will have to pay for all of it. Good luck to you, at least you are going into the BEST profession there is! By the way, you are still VERY marketable with only,---(I almost don't even like typing it) an ADN/ASN. As a matter of fact at most places it is the EXACT same pay/job/responsibility. You could always get your BSN later and CHEAPER. Tom

That's me in a nutshell---WOOF.

Hell I teared up a little just reading Roy's link from his thank you card. 4 yrs Army, was a carpenter and machanic, 6'1" 220lbs--hunt, fish eer, eer eer I tear up all the freaking time, Actually cry though...very rare...but it does happen. Real men DO cry, just not very often. Tom P.S---I have been on here for awhile now and got to say, ROY- I love those Pics from Iron Madien, I saw Bruce Dickensen (on a solo tour) while in Germany. It was a little bar in Frankfort--wow that ROCKED.

I'm not so sure it is that she doesn't WANT clinicals as much as it is finding a way to do it and still LIVE. I myself am in this same situation. I would like to continue with my education but I have the wife, 3 kids, house, and am the primary income. On top of that I live in the middle of freaking nowhere, 45min to the nearest Wal-mart, 2hrs+ to the nearest B&M school with a NP program. To the OP, check into Ball State. They have a FNP program that is ALL on-line, Clinicals are arranged in your area. Can't offer more info yet as I am just starting my ASN-BSN program but am looking to the future. Good Luck, Tom

I did just that, LPN first then RN through EC. The EC program is easy if you are an LPN first anyway. Almost all of it you learn in the LPN program anyway. I worked at a hospital while I was an LPN and they helped pay for 75% of the EC program. I worked 2 full time 12hr shift night jobs while finishing my RN through them. Tell him to go for it. Tom

I CLEP'D out of several for them, just call them up and ask. They are very good about the whole CLEP thing. Tom

I started nursing school with 23 credits 1st semester (nursing and all the prereq's I could cram in. I had only a GED prior to that. I was 34 with a wife and 3 kids. I'm an RN now, the wife just finished the LPN program last friday. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. With that said, it was hard as hell. Yes Nursing school WILL take up MOST of your time. It is all very well worth it. As a man and husband/father myself, I offer this advise to your husband---DON'T KILL HER! It is very hard/time consuming and he must be prepaired for it. PM me if you/he wishes. Good luck. Tom

I worked 2 full time 12hr shift jobs for a little over 2 years, the worst month I can remember was 24-12's in a row, 2 off, then right back at it. I no longer do this anymore WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! My wife just graduated her LPN program last Friday. I only did it to pay for her school and to keep up with the bills, 3 kids, house, cars, and on, and on..... DON'T EVER DO THIS!!!! I am now 37 and feel like I'm about 60, My beard is grey, hair is getting there, back ALWAYS hurts. The only good thing about it is that now she OWES ME..BIG TIME:devil: . Tom

Just FYI, you can still get your license in KS if you work as an RN in another state for....can't remember the exact number...600 hours I think. I know, I did it. Tom

Where to start.... 4yrs in the Army durring D.S., Mechanic, machinist, welder, plant management for several steel fabrication factories, CNC programmer...dropped it all at the age of 34 and has gone CNA, LPN, now RN. I think I was looking for this all along. Tom