Llynn

I feel for you. Where I work we each have 30 patients, lots of eye drops, patches, crushes, nasal sprays, diabetics, g-tubes, foleys...then there's the doctor's orders, treatments, inservices...it never ends. How is this nurse:patient ratio legal?? WHY is this legal? PS: anyone else get tachycardic at work from the stress?:redbeathe

thank you for the information. i am just wondering why did i see something on their website listing class costs at $300/credit, which is seperate from the registering to take the test fee. maybe they just offer actual online classes for those that want them? when you register for a class, do they provide a guideline as to what you should be studying?

I have been searching the distance education forum, as well as Excelsior's site, and I am still confused on how exactly Excelsior works. Do you take and pay for classes through them that you don't have yet, and then take/pay for an exam seperately? Or do you only take the exam after self study to test out of the class? Anotherwords, do you take/pay for classes, then pay appx. $300 for each exam, or do you just self-study and take/pay for the exam? I am trying to understand what this will cost me and their website is confusing. I am a new LPN with a few months experience in a nursing home, but would like to find the fastest most cost effective way to get my RN. I am still paying for a college education I am not using from many years ago!

Do facilities hire LPNs for dialysis? I do find it interesting.

I did have a clinical rotation in the OR, and I must say that most surgeons were ok, but yes, some were egocentric and acted like they didn't want you there. I am considering OR as an option though, because overall I enjoyed it ( except the leg fatigue!!!).

What do you mean by less case load? Do you mean the number of patients, or the acuity of cases? I'm asking because I work in a nursing home in Western PA and have 30 people to care for, where the hospital jobs have 5-8 people.

I am actually considering the NICU. LPNs don't work in the NICU, but I plan on getting my RN at the community college part-time while I work as an LPN. What concerns me about the NICU is how I would handle dealing with family that caused the infant to be in the NICU (ie: drug addicted babies). I think it would be a very emotionally demanding career choice. How often do you come across such situations?

Yup. I agree about the shifts. I work day/evening, and I pretty much hate day shift. Evenings are better, but then I never see my husband. I don't think my body would adjust to night shift. I don't want to totally isolate myself, but I am trying to find a path toward a more 'quiet' environment, preferably without alarms going off over my head every 2 minutes (Nursing Home). I was considering home health for the same reason you stated. Can you tell me more about pros/cons of home health?

I am a new LPN, and have been working in a nursing home for approximately 2 1/2 months. I know this is not the right fit for me, but it was the best paying option as I have loans to pay back. I was wondering if anyone had an idea as to what type of nursing would be best for someone who gets along great with others, but is an introvert. I find being around and interacting with too many people draining, and I feel exhausted by the end of the day. Any ideas?

I'm guessing that you didn't like it because you were there only a short time. Or was it just circumstancial?

Do you happen to know how long you need to work for them to be free of the loan? Do you know anyone who has done this with them?

I did actually apply to a position at AKMC, and they wanted to hire me...at $12.50/hour, with no mention of any sign on bonus, and no buying of loans. You would think with the Nursing shortage that bonuses would get better, not worse!

I paid for school by signing a tuition forgiveness program where the school pays for tuiton if I promise to work for UPMC for two years. My instructor told me I didn't have to stay with UPMC if I didn't want to, that lots of places would be willing to buy my loan, and I would work for them for the two years. I have been looking around and have yet to find anyone willing to buy my loan. Does anyone know of facilities in the Pittsburgh/Butler area that buys loans? I would greatly appreciate any leads.