wefdm21

You know what guys...this is great info. I have been looking for this for so long. Chaxanmom, chelle, anyone else already accepted into the program, have any of you had problems with setting up your clinicals. Chelle I believe you reside in Indiana so this probably isn't a problem. But for others in different states, I know it takes months probably, but you have to find a site, find a preceptor, have that preceptor approved, and then your state BON has to approve the whole thing. What if this doesn't happen? That's what I'm affraid of. Finishing all those gen ed's, taking the TAES, paying fees and tuition left and right, and then not being able to get my clinical hours:angryfire. This would send me right over the edge.

I'm sorry, but I don't care how common this is. It may very well be the norm in all 50 states. That still doesn't make it okay. Nothing else is at stake here except for the safety of the residents and YOUR license. I've done my 8 months in LTC and have finally been offered a job in another field. I will miss my residents, but I'm sorry, what these places are doing just to fill their pockets is wrong. The residents in my facility pay 6000-7000 dollars a month (or medicaid/medicare does, but still), and you mean to tell me you can't employ another nurse to work a 60 resident unit with me. I don't care what shift it is. Let's not mention that there's only 2 CNA's with 30 resident's each! You're crazy if you think these people are going to recieve quality care. I hope your facility is truely an exception, and this system is actually working for them. What finally took the cake for me is when one of my residents with bipolar disease who is allowed out side the facility at all times of the night threatened to wheel him self out onto the high way in his wheel chair. You cannot be everywhere at all times. 60 residents are just too many. Maybe if you had 60 perfect angels who slept all night and never put on a call light or attempted to get oob un assisted. Or there were'nt any crazy narc addicts who come to the nurses station to curse and threaten you nightly because you won't administer pain meds when they aren't ordered. Or in addition to your medicare charting and skin assessments and pertinent issues your facility doesn't make up some "night-shift chart audit project" or some other assignment for you to do. Then MAYBE just MAYBE. I'm sorry this is just my own rant. I say get your experience and get out.

What if your UM threatens to write all the CNA's up if they don't get these people up by 12pm everyday? What if she takes it upon her self to drag a resident out of their room (while in the w/c of course), and force them to eat in the dinning room even though they are visibly upset. What do you do then?

I don't think you need TCN for any portion of the program. I always spoke directly with someone from ISU when I researched the program. I would just go directly through the college. If you want to purchase the study guides as a supplement, then fine, but don't give away extra $$ to a third party.

Hey jamangel. What have you been up to? How far along are you with your core classes? I haven't looked at ISU in a while. I've been trying to concentrate on getting these core classes knocked out. I'm shooting for Georgia State or West GA for next fall. Two tuff programs, but if I can make it I'll be so proud. If all else fails I'll turn my attention back to ISU. Still have a ways to go.

Wait until you experience RN'itis during your OB rotation. Then you'll love the LTC nurses. I work in LTC and I think the environment is so stressful that the energy just rubs off on everyone. However when I was in school the LTC nurses were some of the nicest encountered.

I agree with the poster who said you can develop a system after awhile. But I do also agree that the current ratios are rediculous and unsafe. I currently have 28 patients on my hall with all of the previous mentioned conditions. I graduated last September and have only been liscenced since October. I oriented for 3 days. I worked nights for the first 3 months but have now taken a 7-3 shift. I decision that I regret deeply. Our unit has 56 residents and at nights there is only one nurse. Every morning we are "challenged" with lack of CNA's. For example we should have at least five for the basic minimum care for the residents and this morning none showed up. They usually start trickling in around 900 am. Of course administration is doing nothing about this. I often go home with so much guilt because it is impossible to throughly care for that many residents. Honestly some issues just get pushed to the side and hopefully I can get to them the next day. I don't care what people say these patients are supposed to be more stable, but in my opinion they are just as sick sometimes as patients in acute settings. It doesn't help that you don't have the supplies needed to care for these poor people. When the families get in my face screaming, I usually can't say anything in response because their complaints are valid. I just pray and take each day at a time until I have more experience under my belt.

I think most people will try not to discourage you and some may be honest, but read the other posts that are on this board right now. Most of them say the same thing. I'll I will say is do the research like others have said and be extremely careful.

What's up with this! I have a psychotic resident on my hall who is now in her 5th nursing home, which happens to be the last chance for her because there are no more facilities that will take her. Well anyway, mental illness must run in the family because the son is just as crazy as the mother. He's known for going around sexually harrassing the nurses and threatening peoples jobs. What is unfortunate is that he is good friends with the executive director. Just recently this resident has accused a nurse of ripping out her J-tube and scrubbing around it with a wire brush. She's not all here, and they know it, but the son comes in, believes what she says, and eggs her on. He is constantly telling her that something is wrong with her and she is now being sent out to the ER on a daily basis. Last night she threatened to report me because I would not send her back out after she had just returned from the hospital 4 hours earlier. She also had an appoint to go the next morning. I had to send her roomate out because she was truely sick, but this resident got so jealous that the roomate was leaving that she had a fit. It's really sad because just to have a normal day this resident has to be given every prn psych med that she has on a routine basis. But I'm feeling like I don't want to work in LTC anymore because of this and other reasons. The facility feels like they have to give into any request this family has not matter how weird and believe any story they come up with not matter how insane. They recently had the day shift nurse suspended for a week, and I fear that my job is on the line everytime I'm around them. There is nothing that anyone is doing wrong, but we have to take time away from our other residents in more serious condition to go around and get statements from everyone to cover our behinds. It's a really sick situation. This is just my vent for today. :angryfire:madface::angryfire:madface:

Oh my God... I'm so feeling the exact same way right now. Except I've only been working 2 months. The whole system is a mess, and as a new graduate I'm not out to go on some crusade to fight for change. I just want to get some experience as peacefully as possible without any problems. But I will tell you that working at the facility where I am I'm truely afraid that I'm going to lose the license that I just earned. I've been filling in for a sick nurse on the weekend shift and the nurses during the week seem to always backlog everything until the weekend. All of the family members seem to always save up all their frustrations and threats for the weekend nurses. I have a psycho resident right now with a psycho family who keeps making up lies about any nurse that they want to get fired at the moment. So we are spending more time going around getting statements in our defense than caring for the other sick residents who are in more serious condition. The facility does not back you up for anything at all. I'm just afraid that I'm going to be fired from my very first job and reported to the state for something that's truely not my fault.

online program. Please give me the "lowdown". I've gotten the info from the school, and spoke with someone through email, but please, I need some first hand opinions. My questions for you are: How's it going? How far along are you? Has anyone graduated? If so, how was it finding employment with a degree from this program? How did you arrange clinical time? How does your state feel about endorsing your license? Is it worth while? Thanx for your input. I'm finishing up all my core classes at local colleges and universities and I am applying to their nursing programs, but if I'm told that it will be 2+ years before I get in then- uh,uh- I plan to go this route. Oh, I'm an LPN pursuing my BSN...just alittle background. :smilecoffeecup: Thank you!

I haven't enrolled. I was just wondering if we have any graduates on here from the ISU online program. And if so are any of you working. Right now I'm trying to finish up all of my core classes at local colleges and universities. I will apply to their nursing programs,but if I'm told that it will be 2+ years to get in I'm considering ISU. How is it going for you? Do you live in a different state other than Indiana. How are you arranging your clinicals?

It's hard, but possible. I started LPN school with a 2mo (who I was still BFing), a 1yo, and a 4yo. I had to go and pump milk on our lunch breaks. Oh, and I was also waiting tables 4 nights a week (had to pay daycare in order to go to school). I used a 1/2 tank of gas everyday driving from home to daycare to school to work. Let's just say it was a rough year, but I finished when half of my class didn't.

Per hour? Per month? Annually? Do you work two 12's (Sat/Sun)? What are the benefits to working this schedule? Do you get extra incentive? The LTC that I work PRN for has a Baylor prgm, and I was wondering if any of you prefer this type of schedule.

GA... But I do love what you said pagadeva2000... "Believe in yourself in the meantime and have faith that what you need can be brought to you at the right time." I will try to do this.

Moodychick.. your post is the reason why I posed the question. The picture isn't very pretty here either as far as opportunities go. And like you traumaRN, I prefer to work in a hospital. So I've been in school for two years to become an LPN, graduated, passed the NCLEX, and am now having the hardest time finding a fulltime job. Now I'm back in school for another 3 years hoping to not be put on someones waiting list! I'm just having a hard time with this. I know you all may not be in the same boat.

Please be honest. I know this is blunt, and some will get upset. And I also know some may not want to admit because there are others here who already look down on our profession. But are there times when you regret the choice that you made to become an LPN? Just a question.

Why the move? I moved to Atlanta from D.C. area almost 10yrs ago, and if I had not met my husband here and had three kids I would have been gone back home. I was born and raised in the D.C. area, and to me there's no where like it. With that being said, if your looking for a better job market, Atlanta has many oppurtunities for RN's. Especially an experienced one like your self. The pay rate may be lower to go along with the so called cheaper housing ( you may want to research this). But if you ask me, and many people from other areas will tell you that this is cancelled out by the high cost of other things (groceries, gas-expect to do plenty of driving down here!). Just contact some of the hospitals in the area and see what they're offering. Some may even pay for your moving expenses. Just do the research before you make the move and consider every aspect of your life when making the choice. oh.. and commute times...please, if you don't work around the corner from your house expect to sit in traffic for 30min-1.5 hr

Oh.. I need to change mine to Algebra, Sociology, and Eng comp II. Taking to online route.

jamangel... You go girl! You trying to get into GA state?

Thank you so much everybody for your advice. I'm not the type to get out and run. My pride just wont let me quit. Just like you mentioned, I know what is ethical and I've been taught what to do in school. Now that I'm going through this I see what all the hard work and strict observance in nursing school is all about. If I can go back and recall all of the organization and time management skills that we learned there I think I just may be able to manage this. I've just come to the conclusion that I can't use them (the other nurses) as examples. Like you said, I am observing the basic routine. I don't think that they are all BAD nurses. I just think that they just don't want to take the time anymore, the time that is needed for the residents or the time needed to explain to me how things need to be done. I'm on day 4 of training tonight so I'm just going to keep keeping on.

Daytonite, I totally agree with what you're saying in your post. By no means did I expect a crash course in nursing during orientation, and I knew that I would have to put my skills and judgement to use on the job. But as you mentioned I am looking to the other nurses for an example of what the facility expects from its employees. I was just mentioning those things as an example of the kind of environment that I'm expected to work in. It is difficult and I want to make sure that I'm not setting my self up for failure as some of the other posters mentioned. I do plan to spend alot of time organizing and studying on my own and I don't have a problem asking others for help. I'm just alittle unsure because like I said the class orientation was a little shaky, and the nurses on the floor do what ever they feel like doing, so if the facility wants you to do a certain procedure this way or chart that way then how will I be sure what's correct. I don't want to be written up for something that was never even explained to me. You know what I mean?

I just started my first job as a new grad in LTC. And yes, I'm truely afraid of what's going to happen once I'm on the floor alone. Orientation consisted of 3 days of watching "How to not slip and fall on the job" and the administrator telling us that she needed to leave early to go pick up her kids. I was excited to hear that I would be allowed to have 5 days of training on the floor instead of the usual 4 (because I'm a new grad), but I soon learned that training is basically a nurse showing me all of her bad habits. I'm just the type of person that wants to do everything the right way regardless of what everyone else is doing. But it seemed like there were no good models to learn from. NO one wears gloves (regardless of what they are doing). No one ever answers call lights unless either it's been going off for 20 minutes or the DON walks past. The nurse training me just casually stood around and conversated with coworkers while giving out 6am meds at 1pm. None of the CNAs scheduled to work showed up for work, and from what I was told this happens all the time. I'm new to this and I just want to see SOME examples of how things should be done, not just told that "If State were here then you should do this..." It was horrible and I was told that this was a GOOD day. :angryfire What should I do? How can I be successful in this type of environment? My choice was not to work in LTC, but I have no experience in any other areas.

Personally, I haven't earned my BSN as of yet, BUT... I am choosing to just in case these "higher-ups" continue to make decisions in nursing that are obviously not for the good of NURSES, and wages plumet, working condition contiue to worsen, etc, at least I will have some kind of Bachelors making it easier to transition into another field, specialty, or aspect of Healthcare in general. You know what I'm saying. Some people have several careers in their lifetimes. I plan to start a business someday. I'm just saying a Bachelors gives you options, that's all.

online, or are more than halfway done please post to this message. How is it? If you are employed how does your place of employment feel about you getting your education through this kind of program? What kind of difficulties have you faced getting or transfering a license in your state? Exactly how long did it take you? Is the cost outragous? How difficult is it to find a preceptor to get clinical time? Do you personally know anyone else going through the program? Just want to pick your brain. I need to figure something out. The schools in my area have up to 4 year waiting lists and I have said forget that!