Miss Cola

Hi all, I am just finishing up my first class in the FNP program. I just took one due to the shorter Summer 1 term and to ease myself into it. My next class is Patho and I will be taking that class only for Summer 2. So far it has been pretty straightforward and manageable. I am willing to help with any questions/update as I go along. If anyone is farther along and has any tips or insights- I am all ears! ?

I am a grad of the Sheridan LPN program and I was very pleased with the education I received. I was prepared for the workforce and it gave me a great basis to build upon. I am almost done with the LPN -RN program and Broward College. I know it may be a bit longer to go this route and yes there are still prerequisites to take before being accepted for your local college's RN program but if you want to get your feet wet-this is the way to go. I got great practice as an LPN and many employers like an RN with this experience! As far as ATC, i do not know how they are but if you are considering them, make sure you check to make sure they are fully accredited. Some private programs are not. Hope that helps and the best of luck to you!!

It pains me to say I gained back all of the 40 lbs I lost prior to starting nursing school. I was doing good for a while but I got overloaded and my routine fell apart. I have one semester left and I am anxious to get back to my old life!!! :)

The points you have mentioned are some of the reasons why palliative care can be so controversial. We will never know what these patients are experiencing. In hospice, no two cases are alike. While I don't know all the details of this case, it sounds like it could be possible that the cancer has spread to his palate/uvula. I'm sure there's morphine involved as well for pain control. One can only hope that they do not experience discomfort. As for the atropine, having a dry mouth is horrible and usually when death is imminent many breathe through the mouth and dryness is common. Atropine makes it worse of course. Its rough for families and caregivers alike to hear rattling and see these patients coughing and such. Who knows if its for the families comfort?? Really we don't know what they feel. I have seen cases where the atropine was a blessing bc it make the pt breathe easier. I have personally been there with a loved one actively dying and it is rough. We all want to feel like we're making the right decisions for them at these times.

I can understand that sick-to-your-stomach kind of feeling because I have dealt with this situation. My patient took her life during the night. She had opted out of nightly room checks, which is not uncommon in our facility, an assisted living. So we found her on my shift. I can never ever forget the scene, it was terrible and very unexpected. I had a hard time dealing with it, bc I really loved this little lady. My heart goes out to anyone who has experienced this,...

I am going NUTS trying to find a pair of scrub bottoms that fit me well. I really don't want to have to go to a tailor unless I absolutely have to! The pair I found is just a tad bit off from color of the top. I hope it wont be a big deal. Guess I will find out soon!!!

I didnt have any problems with registering. It took me forever though,...trying to get classes and clinical on certain days of the week

Im excited too!!! I will be going to the South Campus. (really wanted Central though)

Well I'm not exactly sure what range of scores they are looking for as far as the HESI is concerned. What I do know is that the national average is 70 percent. I have heard that they do pay close attention to the score you receive. Also I have heard the generic RN program is more competitive than the transition, due to the high number of people applying. Hope this helps some! Good luck!

Hi all! Just reading through some threads for BC and they all seem to be for the generic program. Just wanted to start a thread for LPNs in transition! =) Just having some pre-semester jitters,...very anxious to get more info at the mandatory pre-admission session on April 8th. Congrats to all who have been accepted and are getting ready for the bumpy ride!!!!

Hi Big Dreamer! I really felt like Sheridan did a great job at preparing me for the NCLEX. I just bought a review booklet before I took the test and I was good to go. Testing is always stressful (for everyone, I would imagine) but for the most part I felt ready. Then, after I graduated Sheridan and passed boards it took me about 3 months to find work. I was being picky-choosy though. I ended up at an Assisted Living and have been ever since (over 2 years now). It was not really what I visioned I would be doing as a nurse, I wanted to work at a hospital. Unfortunately, most hospitals in my area do not actively hire LPNs and ones that do, the pay is so-so. As an LPN I would recommend an ALF as a first job because it really eases you into the field. The only downside I would point out is there is a limit as to what skills you can use (ie: we dont do caths and g-tubes etc.) And oh yea,...you have to LOVE elderly people!!! lol So, thats just a little insight into what I've been doing since my NCLEX-PN. I have many collegues that have done different things like home health, agency work, rehabs, etc. and they are doing just fine too. Its really personal preference. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!!! Hope I helped somehow!!!

I started working at an ALF 6 months ago-my first job as an LPN. So far, I feel like I made a great decision. I have to admit though, I was looking for work about 3 months and I happened to stumble upon this job by accident. At the time I had no clue what an ALF was-I was so desperate to get out into the field, I probably would have given anything a try!!!! Now that time has passed and I've settled in, I know I am in the right place at this point in my life. At first when I started I continued looking for a job at a SNF, to get more experience. I didnt want to sell myself short and I wanted to gain all the experience I could possibly get. Then I talked to a few of my old classmates and I could easily tell that they were stressed and overworked their SNFs, always short staffed, going crazy every day. Then I started getting to know my residents and now I love them so much. I stopped looking for anything else. I love my job, I love my position. I look forward to going to work to see my residents, they brighten up my day!!!! Eventually once I get my RN I will change fields, but for now, I am very content. Depending on what kind of licenses the ALF has makes a difference in what you do there as an LPN. We can not have a resident with more than a stage II, a foley, we can not have any lift equipment, home health comes in to do drsg changes regularly (we do any in-between care) I am the only LPN on staff on my shift, there are 4 CNAs 1 medtech and 98 residents. Some are self-medicated, some have private duty aids, most need help with remembering pills, some need neb txs, insulin, and creams. Every now and again someone falls and injures themself, or has some other emergency and we send them right out-thats it in a nutshell. I am glad I have the opportunity to "ease" into the profession, Im sure an ALF is a different atmosphere-not as fast paced as a SNF- but I am greatful for this bc it allows me to go to school to for my RN and not have so much stress and the horrible hours as other places. The facility you choose, whether a ALF or SNF, really depends on what you are looking to do and what fits best into your life. Hope someone finds my info helpful in some way!!!

I've had the gag-sessions many times. I always try to put myself in the patient's place-it is super-embarassing to be incontinent, and it is a horrible feeling to have someone help you with something private and personal, that you can't do for yourself. It gets me really upset to see other workers making yucky faces while giving patient care-a gag is one thing, you can always excuse yourself or turn your head-but this is something different. I think it is very unprofessional to say the least. There are a couple of things that help me if I know the place Im going is gonna be stinky. Most times it is unexpected so I dont have time to prepare, but if I do I take a little Peppermint oil and put it under my nose. (less sticky than vix) Also there is a room spray called Ozium(vanilla scent)-it is a great pocket size and it is mild scented- alot better than the commercial room deoderizers they usually provide at the facilities. Hope this helps!

I work at an ALF-101 unit facility- and most times I am the only LPN in the building. At first this was REALLY scary to me !!! Sometimes I still play the "what-if" game with myself. But once you get to know the CNA's at your facility and if the patient happens to have a private duty aide, they will alert you of anything that seems suspicious. Once you get to know your residents, you can tell when something is off as well. Falls are my most common emergency. Don't stand the people up right away-check ROM, if one leg is shorter than the other (hip fx), pulses of ext., check for bumps on the head, and if the person says they hurt-BELIEVE THEM-even if they aren't all there!(call their POA if they arent able to communicate) Send them out for evaluation right away! Elders bones are brittle and break so easily! You may not think you will learn new skills, but you will. Working your way up from an ALF is a good way to start. Looks great on your resume and you can go to home health, ltc, and it is a fabulous place to work if you are persuing your RN (schedules are great and stress level is not so bad) This is just my personal opinion. I have had emergency situations as well-and the saying is-"when in doubt, send them out!" Many ALF's are not equipped with a crash cart, so be sure you know your BLS, where the AED is, and have a phone on you at all times to call 911. The family and PCP will need to be notified, and you will have to fill out an incident report and complete nursing notes. Policy and procedure for you facility is key, make sure you know where to find a copy and read through it!!!!

Hi Shiningstar! I feel for you-MAJORLY!!! There is so much anxiety and stress, especially in the home-stretch of the LPN program. You can put yourself in a grave going through all the "what-ifs"!!! Try to take one hurdle at a time, though. After graduation, studying and passing the NCLEX was ok for me-but the stress of searching for a job and doubting myself due to the lack of clinical skills I received in school was almost too much to handle. I looked and looked-checked out the LTC's in the area-which were not appealing at all to me-I felt like I hit a dead end. I had filled out tons of apps. even though the facility wasnt hiring, went to job fairs, you name it. :bowingpurLuckily though I checked out a local job listing website and I found the coolest job at an assisted living facility!! Let's face it-job searches are the PITS! Look for jobs with an open-mind, or else you will drive yourself nuts! Although an ALF isn't even close to where I imagined I'd be fresh out of LPN school, it fits into my life right now. I'm learning valuable things each day, the schedule is awesome (I can go to RN school simultaneously), the pay is great, and the atmosphere is so nice! I couldn't have asked for more in a first job! The silliest thing is, now that I have a job, the other places i had applied to are called me now! How crazy is that!?! But anyhow,.. My heart goes out to you and all of the people still finishing their schooling. I was at the hospital the other day and I saw some students from my school, going through the same days I did-I just wanted to give them big HUGS!! :icon_hug:When you finally go on for further education, just be confident that you have a great foundation of knowledge and skills under your belt!!!! GOOD LUCK & TAKE CARE!!!