HTmommy

I feel for you and your situation. I have worked at places where age seemed to matter where you had to prove yourself on your ability. IMHO, its changing. Its all about ability. My big question for you is why do you think "they think your an idiot? The answer to that may be the thing to clear up. If your unable to, seems that many places would love your talent on a night shift. (or at least my geographic area). Unless your aware on how your got your label, than there is no easy fix. If management has no interest in bettering the facility, wouldn't you feel better if you were somewhere else where your voice and talents mattered? Perhaps, it could be more of a "click" thing? I see this far to often. Sadly, to answer your question, "how can I deal with this?" you have 2 choices, sit and take it or move on to another hidden gem of a job that is waiting for you. Good luck in your decision, sounds like you know which direction it will take you. Let us know what happens.

To Love4Sherry - I feel for you, knowing the anxiety and stress this test causes is unreal for others to get unless they have or are doing it. Its a long time preparing for it, and very costly to take. To know we have to "be on it" the day of the test is nothing but luck. The best advice I can give to you is this: you are intelligent for you graduated from nursing school! The test is just that something actuaries made up with nurses to mess with our minds, recall many questions dont even count they are used for the next switch of tests. Overall, all the NCLEX is doing is making sure you are and will be a safe nurse. I am sure you are other wise you wouldnt be where you are today. If by chance it doesnt happen, so what, you do it again in 45 or 90 days and you will know what to expect on the next one. Your anxiety will be subdued. It blows but really its OK. No one cares once you pass if you took it once or 100 times, it doesnt matter... and never will. You must keep on trying....dont give up. Please do keep us posted as to your outcome. We are behind you 100%.

I took my NCLEX on Monday. I had 205 q in about 4 hours. Pure torture. I found myself throwing my hands up at the cubicle like I have no idea of the answer. It was tough. I thought for sure I failed. I tried the tricks as listed but nothing worked for me. For the past 2 days my stomach in knots and not feeling well at all. I find myself constantly checking online to see if my name appears. Get this, I checked yesterday afternoon to see my name shown up as passed! I am blown away. Still hasnt sunk in. I cried and called my hubby, he ended up coming home early from work with a dozen white roses and a nice bottle of red. I had to share this with you all. Dont give up on your dreams. Dont give up on hope.

Hi - First let me say a pre congrats to you for your upcoming certification. I too did the same route as you. I immediaely went to several local LTC places let them know I was soon to be on the market. Once I got my certification I got numerous offers. I stayed at a LTC until I received my reimbursement that went directly into a hospital. It took about 4 weeks to get the check. It went very quickly. Do keep in mind that the pay scale for a LNA at a LTC is greater than the hospital. At the hospital I did 3 days 12 hour shifts and was miserable. It was not for me. Others are happy doing it and get a pay diff. Hope that helps. :)

Hi Corpsman - thanks for the response.....no wrong name for I have never married. They have 1/2 the package I initially sent on both occasions. I am so frustrated. Clearly they are not together as a facility.

Oh my gosh - I had to write to tell you what a hard time I am getting at Manchester's NE School of Practical Nursing or their alternate name Health career training why two names????? Here are my issues: Mostly they are EXTREMELY unorganized!! Drives me crazy! They have one administrator there who works till 3pm (I know nice job hours eh?) I have 2 times sent them the information they requested by hand to their office yet still I get calls stating I am MISSING information. I have taken courses in another state thus have to pay out a few bucks to get the transcripts it irritates me to know end knowing someone somewhere is loosing this information. GSHH! When I initially signed up (yep signed the contract) they gave me a listing of the books to buy well guess what some where typed incorrectly. Thus I had older books its awful. Can you imagine being a nurse and writing something incorrectly? Also, at the same time I was given a schedule well guess what - yep their dates were off! It was so confusing & their staff wasn't helpful at all no calls to us at home, no snail mail, no emails nothing. They had recently done another and still it had incorrect dates - come on I work at a hospital its 6 weeks out on scheduling and there is no way I cant go? I am amazed! The teachers ALWAYS late! I pay out of pocket for this is this acceptable? I want an education and if I have to plan around the class they should be there on time as I am! Its only been a bit now but I am so mad I wish I never signed up. They are a nickel dime operation who are not all together. The above are just recently whats been happening to me. Others who are in my class have way more MAJOR issues with them. I feel like bailing and going elsewhere. I need to just do an LPN program though not an RN at the moment. Any ideas what I can do?

Hi - I am currently enrolled in a nursing program, slated to grad 6/09. I have about a year experience between LTC & Med Surg as an aide. I am still at a hospital setting. I find that its not for me. I love children & find that a position as a school nurse most interests me. My question is how does one go into that area? I know most don't aspire to go into that direction. How can I line myself up for this? Also switching internally to family center is a no go - as they NEVER have openings.

This should be a sticky.... thanks for the post! I would like to add there was a typo in Elliot - should be http://www.elliothospital.org/ Happy hunting!

Hi - FYI - I contacted them not to long ago & heres my opinion of them. Cons: they have only been in business for about 1 year. The NET exam else where one takes is not transferable. If you have your LNA accreditations; no credit given. Cost is a few thopusand more than other schools offering the same program. Should one need financial assistance they only offer Sallie Mae (yep an affiliate) so IF one qualifies for aid you will be paying accordingly for the interest (remember this company lost its shirts in the mortgage market) They have not qualified to offer students for Federal funding. Lastly, they only have info via website no hard copy info available. PS the secretary is kinda rude the day I spoke with her. Pros - they have a 11 month program ft 4 days / week or pt evening 18 months. Good luck in your decision.

Hi Zooz - Congrats on passing the skill set - I knew you would be fine. I did miss your previous post. How great is that they approached you on the LPN program - such a good feeling. I too am on the same pathway as you. I should be in the 08 program - can't wait! :) You will do fine on the written - truly it was a breeze. As long as you read and paid attention in class you will be fine. Let me know how you do! Your fellow LNA

MrsRaisinKain - I too was nervous - actually on both parts as I dont do well with exams in general. You already know the written will be a breeze. Now the skill set you already know how to do things. Really don't worry about it. If you know how to do things you will be fine. At my testing there was no talking and a bit intimidating having someone watch you adn I too like to bust out in jokes and so forth but really you are concentrating so much on what and how to do something you won't be making jokes and such. We were able to talk our way through it perhaps you can do that there too? You can ask before the actual test. I am confident you will be fine in this. I will be thinking of you today wishing you much good fortune! Let us know how things go :)

YEA - SUPER DUPER CONGRATS to you!!! So exciting. Let us know when you get your license :)

Hi Richarda8770 - boy I understand that is a tough number to take. I agree with many of the above posters. Its about geographic location you may get paid more in other areas. I started my 1st job at 9.50 at a LTC and got a raise in 1 month to 10.50 I only did it pt every other Saturday night for 6 months to place on my resume as a 6 months worth of experience. It worked I applied to another facility and got a HUGE jump in pay perhaps another alternative for you to go. If you know that this is what you want to do. Stay with it. The money will come. You may have to bounce around a bit to get there but you will get there. You can also do some other certifications to help out your resume in selling yourself. Try other facilities. It may not happen overnight but it will happen. If you love it don't let it stop you. Think of it as a big hiccup. I love it and will continue with my education as well as experience the money is a shocker but now that I know I will try to continue to get to the next level. I too came from a way different career and far more money but I know it will change I need to start from the bottom and work my way up. Hope that helps. Let us know how things go - good thoughts for you on Nov 28!!

Great question! Glad to hear that I am not alone. I too am married. Take care of an elder parent as well as my family, I have a newborn. I work Full time and have a part time lna job to gain experience. I am taking 2 classes and will hopefully soon to be in a program in 08 maintaining a 24 hour school week. Its a lot to handle some days are good and some are not. I know eventually it will be over and for the best for me & my family. Every day is a step closer to the next level. To all of you out there maintaining the similar route - Keep it up! :)

Zooz - big hugs to you! I know its hard to go through testing. I felt the same way too. We all go through that with someone watching and evaluating on how they would do it. I got deducted points for not washing my hands long enough (I timed it & did happy birthday) go figure! Others in my class did not pass and they DID take it again. I would strongly urge you to seriously reconsider taking the test. Perhaps it was a bit too much pressure with the instructor. Sometimes that happens. With the next one you get you may feel more comfortable. You may also get the same skills to do. Think of it as more time to practice. Do just that take a friend/hubby/family member and pretend their the pt. Do it over and over and over again. Never let someone let you give up on your dream. The only way we learn is by failing. I do hope you reconsider - I am routing for you!! Let me know what you decide :) Good fortune to you!