NacNurse

While you are waiting to get into LVN school and working, try to take some of the prereqs for RN school. It could help you to get into LVN school, and should you decide to go on for RN, you are one step ahead. Plus if you have been out of school for a while it will get your mind set to studying and testing again.

Market yourself, just show up to LTC facility, tell them you are willing to do PRN, they have to train you for that too. Look good, sound good, be friendly, be in control of the interview, shake hands, compliment the facility. Tell them this is where you want to work and are willing to wait untill they can get you on full time. When I walk in (cold call) I shake hands with the Administrator, DON or whoever, and I say, "I have heard so many good things about the facility, I just wanted to come be a part of it, I know your turn over is low, but I want to be on the list when something comes open" Be prepared, if they say what have you heard, then have something ready, name drop if possible, My Dr, said this would be a great place, or his nurse suggested I try here. then be sure and let them know, your right, I don't have a lot of experience, so it will be easy for me to learn the way your company does things, your protocol, and I wouldn't be tempted to fall back on a previous employers wrong way of doing things. Your company will be able to train me right the first time. Turn your negative into a positive. PRN is your foot in the door, good work and and self promotion is the way you get both feet in. good luck

It does come with time. When a MD orders something a test etc, get out your old book and read what it is for, anticipate the questions the MD/RN will ask you about the test. Make yourself some index cards for various tests that could be ordered. See a pt on a med, read about it, find out the side effects, monitor for those, without being told to. Chart on the possible s/e. I brought my med surge, and skills book with me to work at LTC, and when a resident came in with a diagnosis, I read up on the diagnosis, or med, so I would have a refresher on what I should be doing/looking for. If your bored ask the PT or RN can you do some ROM excercise, can I find out of this person is incont and try a B/B training. Can I improve the quality of this persons life. Read the chart, look at the care plans, see if there is something some one overlooked or anticipated, by going back to your text book and double checking. Read up on wound care, I bet you could help out with that. The wound care nurse could use some help with dressing changes, or the mound of paperwork she has to fill out. The MDS nusre, if you have one, could use your help in finding out some billable things that the nurses do, but omit putting on the chart. Just because you have the certificate does not mean you know anything/everything. You still have to learn, when I got a pt with renal failure, I would go home and re-read the book, same thing with diabetes, CHF, HTN etc. You will be fine, I worked with several classmates after graduation, I would remember something, that they didn't, and vice versa. My first code, i forgot everything, but my class mate remembered, thank God and helped me through. Good Luck

Sorry, forgot to add that it is in Texas. Relocation might be out of the equation, but if you can't find a place where you are, it might be an option. Good Luck

Panola College In Carthage is just about to start it's LVN program. They are looking for good candidates. I'm in the Center program, it started in January. It's only 12 months. You might try there.