JanWrotenRN

Hi all! I cannot believe this is happening-I was an LPN for 30yrs, and have only been an RN for 8 months and I'm worried I am going to lose my license. I am thinking of calling the LABON on Monday, but I'm a nervous wreck AND I'm angry and I need some input quickly!! Not asking for legal advice, but I know everyone here is a lot smarter than I am on these subjects! Quick Hx: My husband has custody of his 12yo son and is in a Court battle with his ex over visitation. She knowingly lived with a violent convicted child molester for two years (with her then 7yo son), the boy doesn't want to see her, and she's fighting for visitation. I think she should be in jail and not allowed to have a house plant, but I seem to be the one on trial lately. The Judge ordered an Eval last Oct. Well, the Evaluator really messed mine up big time. The Ex was calling him literally every five minutes because she was lost and couldn't find the office, and he finally had to STOP my interview to GO GET HER!!! He got several critical issues and things I said completely mixed up and just plain WRONG--- and somehow concluded that I ABUSE ALCOHOL AND WAS CONVICTED WITH A DUI and recommended Alcohol Abuse Therapy !!!!!!! I promply wrote a rebuttal letter and faxed it to the Dr, with no effect whatsoever. He told me on the phone he would not change his evaluation. I never did go to therapy, and the Judge did order it but I didn't go because none of it was true. I was never given the opportunity to object or state why I wouldn't go. YESTERDAY -----I WAS ORDERED AGAIN BY THE COURT TO GO TO THERAPY FOR ALCOHOL ABUSE OR BE FOUND IN CONTEMPT, even though I gave the Hearing Officer the rebuttal letter, she REFUSED to read it. Questions:: 1) Should I even call the BON now or Should I wait until the end of the year when I have to (hopefully) renew my license? 2) Could this have a negative impact on my license? Could I be put in the RNP because of this??? Thanks in advance for allowing me to vent and for all your help!

It wasn't. Not a word said.

Hi! You must have 15 posts in order to PM a member. There's also a sticky on the plan.

I did, I did!!!!! I didn't even finish it because I decided to take a cancellation date three weeks earlier than my original date. I got through step one and a little of step two of the plan. I had 75 questions--most were priority and SATA, 2 drug calc, about 5 mult choice and a few infection control.

Hi, all!! I have been an LPN for 29yrs and started working for a few agencies over a year ago. Upon hire, I made it clear that I was enrolled in Excelsior College and would be an RN as soon as humanly possible. They were all THRILLED and said I could work as an RN as soon as I had my license. I have worked steadily and happily through these agencies and have never had a problem. I have kept the agencies updated as to my progress through college, so it was no surprise when I told them I was sitting Boards last Monday. Everyone at the agencies told me how excited and proud they were of me. Well, I just got my license a few days ago, and after many discussions that literally changed on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis here's the conclusion : 1) I can't work as an RN unless the facilities OK it because I don't have a year experience--even though the facilities have me in the system as an RN and I've worked in that capacity since I got my temp license two weeks ago 2) I can work as an RN but will not get RN pay------ HUH???????? I've been doing THAT for 29 years-that's the reason I GOT my ADN !!!! 3) I cannot hire on as an RN at any facility I've worked as an LPN through the agency. Ummm, I don't think they can enforce this. I hired on as an LPN, THEY said I could work for them as an RN, I got my RN, now they won't let me work for them as an RN, and if they do let me work as an RN they won't pay me, BUT... they won't let me work for anyone else as an RN either. I've been offered an RN position at EVERY FACILITY I'VE WORKED AT so far. I've even been offered a weekend supervisor position. I just can't win. I'm seriously thinking of returning my license and applying for a job at Wal Mart.

Hi! I just finished July 25-my graduation date is Sept. 19. I loved the program-I finished the whole thing-prereqs and NCs in 5 months. Then I waited 5 months for my CPNE date. It's not easy by any means, but it is worth it. Working full time and having an autistic son with cystic fibrosis severly limited my options as far as going back to "school", so this was my only out. I am so glad I did it. I have a lot of study material that I can pass on to you, if you like. I never bought any books, I relied on notes and tips I got off Ebay and free off the web. Good luck!!

Hey, Melinurse!! Yeah, that's what I'm Screaming!!!! My step daughter graduated from LSU with her BSN when I was in the middle of doing my NC 5. She made a snotty remark, so I got on the computer and paid for the Practice exam so SHE could take it. Ha!!!! She got a 68. Needless to say, she NEVER made another remark about EXCELSIOR again:D.

I believe management has a lot to do with nurse dissatisfaction. I work in numerous facilities, large and small, and that is the number one complaint. I work for several agencies and I love it. Best decision I ever made career-wise. Yes, I've met some nasty nurses, but I can choose not to work with them!! BTW-they are few and far between and just jealous because I make more than they do. I hand them cards from my agencies and tell them I'll split the referral fee with them. They usually warm up after that! The pay is pretty good for agency nurses-$22-26/hr and since I work for more than one agency, I never have to beg for work. My phone rings constantly. Hope this helps a little-keep the faith!!

Congrats!!! I had to call several times to get EC to send my stuff to the Board. It's finally done, so now I'm in a holding pattern again. Can't wait for all this to be OVER!!!!

Hi, neighbor! I just passed CPNE 7/25 at Albany Med Center, NY. It was a wonderful experience. My CA and CEs were awesome. It is a do-able test if you are prepared and confident of your skills. Read my post on EPN CPNE journals or PM me. I'll be happy to share the details with you.

I work for several agencies and therefore, go to different facilities. Unless I tell them I'm an LPN they have no clue that I'm not an RN. Usually, I work with other agency nurses who know that I was doing EC and they are interested in doing it too, so when we talk about it, the other nurses ask about it. Some pooh pooh it, but then get real quiet after I explain what is expected of us and describe the CPNE to them. Most will admit they could never do it. :no:I've been offered numerous positions in the facilities I work at BECAUSE I am an EC grad. They lovingly describe me as "anal" about many things that the other RNs are very laxed about and they admire the qualities that you must have to successfully complete EC. I've been an LPN for 29 years and passed CPNE on 7/25. Awaiting my ATT letter to sit boards. Then it's on to BS/MSN!!

Hi! July 23-25 Albany Medical Center NY Best of luck to everyone!!

Hi! Even with a family and working full time I enrolled in EC July '07,started taking my Gen Ed Cleps/Dantes in Aug, and finished the entire program by Jan 15 '08 so it is quite doable. I am now in the CPNE holding pattern as well. I loved the program, but this wait is killing me! I study, practice my careplans, review the CPNE videos and read the ECs Peer Network board every day, but I think (no-I KNOW) if I had an actual date, I would be a LOT more motivated. I do better under pressure!

Just the ramblings of a very tired mind... You would think that with such a HUGE waiting list for CPNE, some sort of alternative "Plan B" would be devised. If an RN in your hometown (or, even better-- at the facility you work at) would be willing to follow EC's stringent testing guidelines (and sign an affidavit to that fact) and proctor an LPN, we'd have little or no wait for clinicals and a lot more RN's running around! The CPNE tests on things we (LPNs) do everyday in acute care settings(except IV pushes and hanging blood). Wound care, hanging piggybacks, starting IVs, drawing labs, TFs, working with vent-dependent pts, and of course-head-to-toe assessments and writing care plans. I guess that would make too much sense and not enough dollars for EC, considering the pass rate of 64%.

I had the same problem and literally broke down in tears of frustration while talking to the Board secretary on the phone November of last year. I just happened to mention that the last 5 years were spent caring for my ill parents. Guess what? they told me to email a copy of my expired LPN license, driver's license and any other ID, along with a letter describing what type of care was given to my parents (Dx, etc) and any other care I might have provided to family members, friends, etc as well as any volunteer work. I wrote it, sent it and had my reinstated license in 4 days. Hope this helps! Good luck