determined1

In the same boat here. I decided to enter a RN program straight out of LPN school and now, 3 yrs later, I'm still working on my RN and still haven't gotten any experience at all. I have a decision to make real soon. As I continue my studying, I want to get some experience. However, my passion is with maternity. I will not be happy anywhere else. Its not easy to come by a LPN position in maternity. Now, I do have an opportunity to work at a SNF. So, I'm stuck with the dilemma.......work for some type of experience and be unhappy or not give up on what I want? I might as well just finish my RN then work. I just don't know. Once I start working, I will need to keep up with a job. I am a single mom of 3. I've basically been home raising them and not that the job is done, but I'm in a position now that a may find a way to work. I'm only interested in working now to gain experience (LTC is not what I had in mind) not that I'm financially in desperate need. I just don't know..............any opinions??

Hello everyone, In glancing through this thread, its given me mixed feelings. However, I know everyone has and is entitled to their own opinion. I for one, visited Florida 12 yrs ago and have been determined to move there ever since. Any time I went to Florida I loved it. I am a born & raised Bronx, NY girl. Granted, I know NY holds many opportunities but that doesn't equal happiness. I still yearn to be in Fl. I hate the winters here. I love the summer weather Fl has to offer. I also adjust easily so I know that it will not be hard for me to give up the city life. I'm a single stay at home mom of three boys with special needs. Living in a NY apartment doesn't cut it for my boys. They are full of energy and need the space to cut loose. So to have a decent rental home in Fl where my boys can have the yard space for themselves is very important to me. Of course, I would also be concern about education especially that one of my boys is autistic. I know my kids would be happier out there. They can't wait to move already. I hold an LPN license and I'm a student RN. It has taken me longer than I expected but I haven't given up yet. I want to specialize in L&D. That is my passion and my calling. I know there are opportunities in Fl for this department. I would do what I have to do to make it there. In fact, I expected to drive from NY to FL TODAY (last day of school here for my boys) to see what I can accomplish out there as far as finding a place to move into. However, I did end up having a rough night and wasn't able to get much sleep so I just might put it off til the weekend. Point is, I'm in the mist of making this move NOW for the month of July since I do know school starts up in Aug and there is sooooo much for me to do single handedly. Now, about the mixed feelings, I'm hearing alot about the hiring of new grads or hiring in general which is making me a bit nervous. I expect to work as soon as I finish my RN. Although, time may be a factor in this. By the time I actually finish, I hope things would have changed in the job market.

Traci! :yeah:You go girl!! I just took mine today and I'm happy to say that I actually passed!! I got a C but I passed!! I studied so hard yesterday and this morning that I even got there 45 min late!! I was soooo worried. Luckily, they were in the Holiday mood and allowed me to take the exam anyways!! So at least I can take a little break. :tbsk:Now I have to decide whether to work on NC 4 and ask to waive the waiting time once I feel ready or move on to Micro meanwhile...........:thnkg:decisions, decisions!! Anyways, Happy Holidays!!!:tree:~Supermom!!

So, Traci! How did it go yesterday??

Thanks and same to you Traci!!

Yeah, Tuesday is my deadline for admission. I have to get started on that study! I've been working on NC 4 for a while and still hadn't gotten through it all but I had to schedule the exam before my time ran out. The same for NC 5. Although I only have the next four days to study this material, I plan to remove myself from my household just to focus on studying. Mom is just going to have to come babysit this weekend so I can go either to the library or Barnes and Noble where I can just sit and study. It's not easy being Supermom, lol!! It comes back to bite me once in a while!! Well, thanks for the support and good luck on Saturday! Can't wait for my kids' bedtime so I can get some sleep too , get rid of this headache and start studying first thing tomorrow...............I guess......after two school mtgs of my kids'! It just never ends!! :loveya:

Unfortunately, this is not a positive insert for me. I just came back from taking NC 4......... knowing I wasn't ready for it..........and failed it! So much for my roll of A's and B's! :imbar I don't even have time to wallow, I have to study up for NC 5 on Tues! What's worst about these exams is that you don't even know what you had right or wrong! I thought I was doing alright, maybe get a B or a C, but when I saw a D pop up -- I just wanted to cry! I had to rush out of there with my head down. :imbar So now, I really have to wait 60 days to retake the test?? Well, it looks like the CPNE will just have to wait.

Traci, Weellllll..........I already attended Lynn's workshop in NC last week. It sure wouldn't hurt. Tina in PA is also highly recommended (even by Lynn- after hers, of course! lol!) Lynn continues to help even after the workshop. You can practice your careplanning and email it. She would then evaluate it. She's also there for any questions that may come up along the way. She has a few tips to share to make things run more efficiently. :wink2: Now, I'm undecided about Rob's DVD. I already have Lynn's "skills" dvd and her new "areas of care" dvd. Do I really need another one??? :confused:LOL! I've thought that I'd break down the study guide from a few days to upto a week per section...............or was that for the skills?..................O'well, NO NEED FOR US TO BE WORRIED ABOUT THAT FOR NOW! NEED TO GET THROUGH THESE EXAMS FIRST!!!! So get back to it, LOL! ~Nani

Traci, Nah, we not much different!! LOL!! I have NC 4 & 5 to go for CPNE, I too also still have Info Lit (which I keep forgetting about!), Micro, Socio & Ethics. So, it looks to me like we are at about the same marking point. Yeah, I hope to be done with it all by summer!:wink2: So, let's keep working on it, nudging each other along the way!!:loveya: ~Nani

i haven't scheduled them. i tend to schedule at the last minute. if i feel good about it, i would schedule it for the next day. but since i'm running out of time and i've only been working on nc4, i'm not sure what to do. i've thought of even scheduling both on the same day but then again, i think sitting in front of that computer for so long may work against me. anyways, with the holidays coming up, i see there are less appointments available and i have to be done by the 23rd. that's my deadline or face paying for the exam again. is nc5 the only one you have left?

The first attempts I did, I cut and pasted the code. That didn't work. When I tried again and manually put it in, it went through. If you happen to have another exam that you would need to get the practice for, I would put in for that exam. It's good for 4 months anyways.

who shows the rope method?

:ancong!::hpygrp:*wine:rckn::anpom:

Ok, I don't mean to whine, but I'm stressing about having only two weeks left to do NC 4 & 5. I seem to always do this. I get scared of what's to come but once I get through it, it wasn't so bad. I wish I could just do it and get it over with already!!! LOL!! Well, I'm going to have to anyways or end up re-registering!!

Well, I came back on Thurs eve and I must say that it was a pleasure to meet so many nice people. The workshop did simplify things for me and gave me a better idea of what is to come. Lynn offered many valuable tips that will definitely make things flow smoother. Her motivational speeches also brought tears to my eyes! I was a bit disappointed about the skills lab day. I expected to be taught the "right way" to do them but instead it was self teaching. Granted, if you know how to follow directions, I guess you should be able to do it the "right way" after all. It was an opportunity to practice on your own. As far as her lab dvd, it has been updated but not by much. She added on some tips to her latest. She is also getting out a new dvd that covers areas of care. So over all, it was a good experience. I'm glad I was there. I'm glad I met Lynn & Bev. They're are awesome strong women who are just as human as you and I. I will definitely keep in touch with them and I wish them the best. :loveya:

Thanks Lunah! Either way, you answered the question. They're basically different in content, so I guess I know what I have to do.

CALLING LUNAH!!!! I know you've seen both Rob's and Lynn's DVD. You know the next question, lol........Which takes the cake??

Why Thank you Armynurse! :nuke:

Well, I'm finally here in NC for Lynn's workshop. It figures that I would be sick with a cold. I had a fever yesterday and I feel it coming on now again. Hopefully a good night's rest would do me some good for the morning. Although, I do have to start reading that CPNE guide!!

I'm wondering if anyone recently acquired Lynn Frederick's CPNE dvd. It just so happens that I have one from 2007. I'm trying to find out if it is the same or has been revised considering that the description on her website says 5 lab skills and the one I have only has 4 - IV Med, IV Med Push, SQ/IM & wound station. I'm about to attend her workshop this week and expected to make purchases of her materials but if this dvd I have is the same, that's one less expense for me!

*wine:ancong!::hpygrp:

GOOOOOOD LLUUUUCCCKKKKK!!!!!!:nuke:

:hpygrp::ancong!::urck: :tbsk:

Ok, Ok, I just tried it again and managed to get it through this time!! YEA!

Has anyone tried this?? I got this email too and tried it out yesterday but still got charged for the practice exam. I guess I will just have to give them a call for another practice exam!