liriel

Hey T0byzmom! I will be going into my third semester at UTTyler Palestine Campus. LVN-RN transition program this fall!! Summer sure went by FAST! Bortaz in LVN-RN you get credit for your time worked as an LVN which lets you not have to take a few classes but all the BSN programs are mixed in....RN-BSN, LVN-BSN and standard BSN. The two transition pathways just gives you credit for working and lightens the required courses somewhat.

I am!! Two more semesters to go....so that puts me right in the middle of just starting the program and being through with the program.

Knowing what you require sleep wise, money wise and study wise to make it through the program is a big step in deciding how much to work. I am in an LVN to BSN program currently. I have classes two days a week, and schedule my clinicals during the week. My job was nice enough to allow me to transfer to dayshift weekends only while I'm in school (I was night shift prior to this). I have managed to work 36 hours a week (friday-sunday) and still make good grades thus far. I have two semesters to go. My teachers know and understand that as a single parent not working is not an option for me and work with me wherever they can.....This said there are still times when it seems I am going non-stop for a few weeks....I think take a PTO day recoup and go again. I think knowing I can take a PTO day and recoup and that I have work and school supporting my efforts are key in making this work for me. GOOD LUCK!!!!

As it has been said before it all depends on where you are and where you work. I am an LVN (what Texas calls their LPNs) on an oncology unit in a hospital in Texas. I do not triage, hang blood, start Chemo (though I do monitor patients getting blood and Chemo...and I take down Blood and Chemo when transfusions are completed). I do not pronounce death. I do IV meds daily, start IVs, tons of patient teaching, I do a lot....but in Texas LVNs do a lot. To know the exact differences you would need to go the the BON website for your state and look at the practice acts for RN and for LPN. I am back in school for my RN because the difference in pay in this area at least $10 an hour sometimes more for RN than LVN. Getting my LVN license has helped me tremendously in my BSN program because a lot of the information we get presented in class is not new to me now....its more detailed but much of it we at least touched on in LVN school. I think this makes it easier for me to retain what we are learning. Having worked on the floor I think I am a bit more confident doing my clinicals and not nearly as scared to ask questions. I was pretty nervous doing my LVN clinicals.....but now I am doing my RN clinicals I am quick to ask questions when I don't understand something. Good luck to you! I hope you enjoy your nursing classes as much as I am enjoying mine!

Hey Blessed I'm on the big 3-D....LOL 3 Dawson that is...and your correct Sister Margo is a hoot!

:heartbeatI live in one of the smaller towns outside of Tyler and work at the Mother Francis Hospital. I love my job....we are a faith based hospital and have a very strong and supportive pastoral care. Its great to have know that when you have a patient totally overwhelmed with what life has thrown them that there is someone you can call 24/7 to sit and listen to them and help them through a rough time. I grew up in East Texas and love the area. The Lakes (Tyler and Palestine) are gorgeous and there are many small towns that each have their own style and "hometown" feel about them. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else.:heartbeat

What skills you use most will depend on where you work. I have worked on an oncology unit at the hospital for the past 3 years ( since graduation). I give lots of injections, start IVs, insert foleys, do neuro checks, wound care, work with peg tubes, insert NG tubes, give a ton of meds via various routes, and utilize my therapeutic communications skills daily. I love what I do. Its very demanding physically, mentally and emotionally but I could not imagine doing anything else. In my humble opinion...your best bet would be to figure out what you love and go from there. The skills you need the most will be enhanced by your day to day practice....the skills you don't need as much you may loose a bit....but noone has to be great at everything and if your not needing them....does it matter?

Hi, I am currently in LVN to BSN program at Uttyler. When I saw your post I went and got the flyer regarding the MINE program for Registered Nurses. According to this...your only requirement is your RN licensure...no experience needed. It looks like all classes can be completed via the web (cept clinicals) in 2 regular semesters and one summer if you go fulltime.....partime study is also an option. It does say you will need to complete an upper level elective to meet residency requirements but that this can be taken prior to entering the program if you like. There are some core curriculum requirements (english and such) and a few prerequisite courses just to be admitted to the nursing program that have to be completed (A&P, Nutrition and such) I would call and ask to speak to one of the counselors because there are a few things you HAVE to have to be here. I had to take Texas government because my associates degree was done in Oregon so I had not had that course. GOOD LUCK! and looking forward to more great nurses in East Texas!!

I am an LVN (what Texas calls their LPNs) working on an oncology unit at the hospital fulltime while going to school fulltime to obtain my BSN. When I get my RN licensure I plan to stay working with oncology patients and hopefully obtain my oncology certification. Is it an easy job? No but I do not know of a nursing position that is. I work with some of the best doctors, nurses, CNAs there are. We are very much a team oriented unit and really try to pull together so that our patients recieve the very best of care. Yes, the job is hard physically, mentally and emotionally. As one of our doctors likes to point out to new nurses "a higher standard of nursing is expected on this floor". Yet, by the same token we are not the stereotypical depressing unit many new nurses expect. We laugh loud, we care deeply, we fight for our patients tooth and nail. We know just how precious life is. Life is not just about time....it's also about quality and doing the things you want to do. Nursing on an oncology floor is not challenge everyone can take on.....but for the people I work with who have its not one we could imagine NOT taking on.

Hi I am currently an LVN working on an oncology unit fulltime while going to school fulltime to obtain my BSN. I love what I do and am really enjoying my classes at the university. However, it does seem that what I see in day-to-day practice doesn't always jive with the lessons in class. This can be a bit confusing at times......anyone else in the same boat?

Find out what review books your school recommends....then get the books and start looking through them as soon as you can. Many schools put NCLEX type questions on thier regular tests. The more familiar you become with this format and type of reasoning the better your tests scores will be.