deb123

Mudwoman wrote: I worked at the local hospital from July 2004 to Oct 2005. When I first started, I told the head of the education department that I was working on my RN through Excelsior. She told me that they (the hospital) would not allow me to work there as an RN if I was an Excelsior graduate. I asked why? She said because they had 3 of their LPN's go through Excelsior and fail the CPNE. I told her it seemed to me that the problem was with their LPN's and not Excelsior. I relayed this information to the DON one day in casual conversation, and she said if you graduate and pass the NCLEX and the state BON recognizes your school, you are an RN period, and I would be given the same opportunity for employment as any other RN applying or any LPN already working there that got my RN. Now my response: To pass the CPNE (Clinical Practical Nursing Exam) you really need to study each and every page of the study guide. Everything in there is very important. For example before giving medications you have to check and compare the pts. identaband with the MAR, when you first enter the pts. room you have certain things you must do with in the first 20 minutes, such as check their IV site. When you leave the room you have to make sure their bed is in the low position, call light within reach, brakes on the bed secure etc. These are all basic to nursing, in fact everything on the exam is basic. This is not to say that the exam is easy. It takes a lot of work, but it is do-able. I remember reading on blogs things like "you have to do it Excelsior's way" in reference to the CPNE. Well guess what? Excelsior's way is the standard way. If you look in any nursing skills book you will see that this is true. Excelsior wants their students to pass the exam and they are available to answer questions while you prepare for the CPNE.

I graduated from Excelsior College in Oct. 2006. I am a Calif. resident and I just recently landed my first job as an RN. One thing about Excelsior is that you need to have clinical experience, which as an LPN you do. When I went to my interview which was at the only hospital I applied at, I was very positive when they asked me about Excelsior. I explained that I needed to work and could not go to school 5 days a week for 2 years. I also let my interviewers know that to enroll in Excelsior I had to have previous clinical experience. Then I explained that I had to take a test called the Clinical Practical Nursing Exam, in which I was required to care for 4 patients, one being a pediatric patient. I went on to tell them that I had to pass 4 lab tests as well (IV piggyback, med injection, IV push and wound change). Excelsior is great for anyone who is willing to follow the plan and read the required material. I know of people on blogs that had a lot of difficulty because they seemed to be looking for short cuts. They would ask for tips on the computer exams. My advice was read the books, all the information is there. As I said earlier I am from CA, well I had signed up for Excelsior before it was no longer acceptable by the CA Nursing Board. To tell you the truth I don't know where that whole deal lies right now. Anyhow, another thing I did was sign up at my local community college's Health Skills Lab. They had a wonderful collection of media and a lab with manequins to practice everything from placing urinary catheters to hanging piggyback meds. There was also an RN available to make sure I was doing procedures correctly. I don't know exactly what you get to do and observe at your work, but keep in mind that community colleges are very inexpensive when it comes to community education students. It only cost me $8 for a whole semester of access to the lab. In fact you can even have them print out an official paper showing the hours you spent there. So, I say go for it. Work at your own pace for school, while working as an LPN. The reward....a higher salary and all the other joys of being an RN. Good luck to you.

Thanks for the help Praline and Intofl. This is exactly the kind of advice I was asking for.:)

Is ACLS usually offered by hospitals? I am looking for my first RN job so I don't know. If I take the course, which I believe is only 2 days or something, will it help me get a job?

I am looking for my first RN job. Is it possible for me to work for an agency? I am asking because wouldn't I need orientation? When working for an agency is it by the day, week or month? Is working for an agency the same thing as working per diem?

I am looking for my first job and was wondering about letting them know I would contact them in one week. I feel strange to actually write that. Is it standard? I also don't know how to request an interview. It seems the interview is more of an invitation from them rather than something I can request. I read somewhere on this web site about requesting an interview or telling them wyou will contact them next week, but I am not sure which to do.

I am looking for my first job as an RN. How long is orientation in general?

Do hospitals give new nurses info during orientation regarding special things to chart and not chart? I learned how to chart in school, but the posts regarding the side rails up x4 are making me wonder.

I will be looking for a job very soon as an RN in a med surg unit. Can anyone help me out by listing some of the most commonly used drugs on the wards? I read earlier about the patient who was given 8000mg of dilantin instead of 800mg and died as a result. Of course I know it is always best to look up info that I don't know. But, while I am in the process of seeking employment I'd like to continue my studies by brushing up on pharmacology.

congratulations! what wonderful news! i just recently also passed and it is an absolute thrill. sounds like it was a gruelling 5 hours. i'd still be exhausted. congrats again~~ :groupwelcome:

Thank you all for your input. I am so proud and happy to part of such a wonderful group (RNs)!! I have been reading lots of threads and collecting great advice. This site is so helpful. Thanks again, Debbie

I will also begin working within the next couple of weeks. What are the recommended PDA programs. There are several drug programs available. Is there one that is a favorite?

I am really glad that I read this follow-up post. I am a new RN and will be interviewing at a hospital next week. Reading the post you replied to left me thinking, "Well of course I would change the pts. underpants if they were soiled." I feel that would be the right thing to do. You brought up a very interesting point, regarding the aide taking advantage of your help. This would not have crossed my mind. I am sure this is not the case with all aides, but it is something to consider. My RN work must be done before I can help out with other duties.

Hi, I just passed NCLEX and now I am preparing for an interview. I know I will no doubt be asked why I chose nursing, but I am not sure about what other questions I might be asked. Any ideas? I'd appreciate them. Debbie:idea: