skwlpn

I didn't find the notes on Ebay or Half...so I don't have them! Thanks for the heads up!

Thank you, thank you! I have gotten 5 books on Half.com for the various gen ed classes that I need and have spent less than $35.00 for all five. I am excited. I will go to the site you suggested NOW! Thanks again, Stacey

Yes, State Farm has a policy available. They are the ones I was talking about with the homeowners policy. I don't know if they offer it to people as an independent policy. Check it out anyway. It is worth a try. For me, it was half the cost of the full price policy that you got...and I bought it when I was just out of nursing school.

We have a malpractice policy available under our homeowners insurance. It is specifically for nurses and is very inexpensive. If you own your home, check with your agent.

Thanks for the information. I didn't even know that there was a distance learning forum. I will check it out. Congrats on finishing PN. I graduated in may of '06 and love it.

I am sure that I am not the first to ask, but everyone's experience here is so valuable. I am just starting the LPN-RN bridge via Excelsior and got my study guides for the gen ed classes that I am short. I am studying to take the microbiology test now. Anyone have any experience with the information/test? I just would like to be reassured that it is not going to be a horrible test where I am left staring at the screen in total ignorance. Also, how long did it take to study the material. I am hoping that I can get an idea of what to expect. I am very excited about this new adventure. And I am terrified! Thanks to all inadvance.

More genius. You guys are great! LOL!

Gettingupthere, that is just genius! Thanks for making my day!

Ok, this subject has probably been covered a million times on this site, but I haven't seen it yet. So, a little insight, please... I work as a floor nurse (LPN) on a med surg floor in a small hospital. I took care of a patient s/p ortho surgery. This patient was, after a few days, discharged by his ortho doc, but was held over one day by his family physician who was following his steadily decreasing H&H. Apparently these two MD's did not communicate, but I cared for the patient overnight awaiting AM bloodwork (which by the way showed a hbg of 7.2) and orders from the family physician for type and crossmatch. In the mean time, Ortho Man came in, glanced at the charts in the rack and, seeing the name of the patient he had discharged from his service the day before, asked in a loud voice (in front of seven second semester nursing students, "What the h*** is he still doing here?" Taken aback, I answered, "Well, he will be getting blood today." The doc said, "So!" As if we give blood at home or something. He then shouted the big "F word" and threw the chart against the rack with enough force to thrown papers on the floor. Is this normal behavior for docs? Do we suck it up or do something about it. I have great respect for MDs, but I felt a little abused. I have always worked overnnight shifts and had very little contact with docs except to call for orders and take a little cold sounding tones. I am still pretty upset by this. What do you think?

I worked through LPN school. Much depends on the type of student that you are. I worked full time in the ER of our local hospital as a tech. I didn't make a million dollars, but I made enough to live on and the experience (both the environment and the access I had to experienced nurses and doctors) was worth a million. I watched and assisted with procedures and saw things I haven't seen since then. I gained a vast amount of knowledge from that time. It enhanced my schooling. Because they were understanding of my education, they were also eager to work around my schedule at school. I am with Jules, BTW. The "focus on school" thing is over rated. I still have books that have the plastic on them...never opened. I just didn't find the need to study that much. Even working full time, I graduated among the top of my class. I also have a husband and 3 step-kids at home. If you can find something like I did, consider it school that pays both financiially and, more importantly, in experience. Best of luck to you!

Just beautiful....

I have to agree with TheCommuter. By and large the facilities that need to offer huge bonuses are having some kind of retention/reputation problem. I am sure there are exceptions, but I am betting they are few and far between. Stacey

I have found that the older the patient/resident the less respect I get from them. For instance, at the LTC where I used to work I would routinely have people call me the "little medication nurse" or ask "are you a nurse or just an LPN?" I think this may be just a cultural issue. These are the same people who grew up before racial integration and would sometimes make terrribly inappropriate remarks about race issues as well. Just has to do with what was appropriate and relevant at the time they were the generation "with their finger on the pulse". There was a time when LPNs were more like "little medication nurses" I guess. I am proud of my title, I just carry myself like a capable, competent nurse and I have never had anyone question me in the hospital where I now work...

I am about to start a similar program through Excelsior after hearing from co-workers (and my mother-in-law who is a nurse, too) that if I have the discipline to do it, this is a great way to get to my goal. I am excited! Go for it!

Yes, in nursing school you will learn dosage calcs that involve very basic, simple algebra that you will find a breeze because you understand WHY you are "solving for X". The problem that I always had with algebra was that I had nothing to relate it to. Heck if I knew what "X" was, I would have just used a number instead of a letter! You will have no trouble. Don't let fear of anything interfere with your dream. Your school will teach you well, you will have opportunities for extra help if you need it and, if your class is anything like mine, we became like sisters on a mission to make it through this common experience. God bless those girls! We got each other through. You will be FINE! Go for it. Stacey