nursingwon01

I see this is an old thread but thought I'd get it started again. I am employed with SNHMC - and was very surprised (and disappointed) they didn't do a drug screen pre-employment. As a potential patient in that hospital or any hospital, I would like to trust that all of my healthcare was being provided in a drug-free environment.....Maybe I'll put it in the suggestion box.

In Tewksbury, MA is Shawsheen Tech. I'm a grad from Lowell Voke - a great program there. I would consider taking a quick CNA or MA course before jumping in to the LPN - its quite a challenging curriculum and requires maturity and lots of studying. If you have young children it will double your challenge.

You can go to healthcarereview.com and get info. These are generally held in the winter in Danvers, MA - spring in Portland, ME - and fall in Manchester, NH. The next one is January 9th in Danvers, MA.

I am planning to attend the Fall symposium. I am an LPN and I think this is a great source for CEU's, especially for the asking price of $l0 for the day. The programs are informal and great opportunities to brush up in rusty areas or nursing areas you wonder about. The morning speaker is usually very entertaining. The vendors are interested in just about everyone and they give out some very useful trinkets. There is usually someone there to help with your resume, and a vendor who gives out bottled water or coffee. All free. Take a nursing buddy. You will enjoy the day. Get there early because parking can be limited.

Don't get your hopes up. I'm from the Boston, Southern NH area and have worked in OBGYN and PED offices. We did our clinical in L & D - and the RNs all told us they don't hire LPN/LVNs in their L & D. Its really a shame because they do hire Nursing Assistants.... who are the ones who answer all the bells and unless you just need your pillow fluffed or your water freshened your out of luck...... they only come in to tell you they will get a nurse and it will be approximately 30 minutes before that happens. I thought my years of experience would give me an edge, and I keep trying, but I think I'll have to resort to either taking a position as NA or volunteering with no clinical opportunities - but I can learn more by observation - and keep trying....

DO IT- But considering the time it takes, you might want to hop right on the RN boat. I did this when I was 43. I was impatient to start working as a nurse as soon as I could, and in a hurry to start bringing home a paycheck. My kids were in high school. I am now 56 and thinking about retirement. Certainly fewer hours. Its hard work for an old girl....but I love it. The most difficult part of the program for me was sitting between a handful of "kids" who should have taken a class in maturity. Thoughts of them taking care of me in my hour of need was scary. Its a tough program, but the instructors will more than likely be around your age. My instructors were my age and we often just shook our heads together when it came to dealing with my classmates. Their are lots more opportunities for RNs than LPNs, and the starting pay is of course, higher. Most of the need for LPNs is in long term care. You may also get into a private practice. Good luck.