tainted1972

I couldn't get into a hospital in my city either, I am starting my BSN in a few months. Anyway, I accepted a PRN position in a LTC facility and I am getting more hours than I need and plenty of opportunities to practice skills. Full time positions are opening all of the time, but I am happy with my flexible schedule. BTW I am making more as a PRN in a LTC then a couple of my friends who work for a huge university hospital.

Good times! :)

You just want to get some compression stockings, you can find them anywhere you purchase nursing uniforms. I really like the knee high ones, they work wonders!

I tend to let em go when I am crouch down to do something.. expecially emptying foleys for some reason.

My company makes it very clear in orientation that no one is officially hired until after their 90 day probationary period, at which time they can decide to "fire" you. I think you should go over the policy, I bet if you read it you will find something that explains the practice.

University of Rio Grande in ohio

Soon I will be working as an RN for the same company I currently work for as an LPN with IV cert. I will be getting an $8hr increase in pay. I know many nurses who are happy being LPNs, there is nothing wrong with that. Some LPNs make a good amount of money and are secure in their current positions.

I worked as a PCA ( same thing as a PCT) for 3 years, I quit so I could go to school full time.. i have since graduated and despite my experience on a very busy, Med surg/tele unit.... I have not recieved ANY phone calls from any hospital in my area.. So based on my experience... stay put. Hospitals want you to have experience as a Nurse not as a tech. You are very fortunate to have a job lined up already.

If you were applying to a program that was highly competitive I would say take the classes again. But for a CC program, keep the C's.

I passed the NCLEX PN and the NCLEX RN .. the first time. The only thing that I did to study was answer as many practice questions I could a couple of hours a day starting about 3 days before I took the test. I was an average student with average grades. What helped me the most was knowing what kind of test taker I am. I realized that my gut instinct; my first thought, was always the best answer. The minute I start to second guess myself.. It is all over! When I come across questions that I absolutely do not know the right answer to I figure out what NOT to do in a situation rather than what to do. In nursing, there are many more rights than wrongs.. think about it.

Before there were cell phones and internet. We used to spend our down time actually working on things like stocking and cleaning. There is always something that needs to be done. If you are being paid.. you should be working.

I agree with other posters, get a job as an aide in a facility that hires RN's.

I think you should wait until you have been working a few months. The first year on the job is extremely stressful. NCLEX is nothing compared to what a new nurse goes through the first year.

I like Cherokee scrubs. I have worn 3x and they are comfy. I have found that unisex draw string pants are usually more baggy in the thighs and longer than my womens scrub pants. The unisex ones are usually a lot cheaper too.

Definitely better to get your BSN, many employers are preferring it, and some are requiring their nurses to have BSNs. If you can get a job in a hospital you may be able to get tuition reimbursment.

You are not going to find an LPN-RN program that is 100% online, Clinicals are a requirement for an ADN. I graduated from an onlline LPNto RN program. I spent one day a week in clinicals and other days doing hesi reviews/testing. I urge you to consider a traditional in class program for your ADN unless you have extensive hospital experience.

I have seen older doctors use abreviations and symbols that I have never seen .. it is helpful if you know them so you will be able to read orders.

Personally, I cannot stand it when nurses; or any other staff for that matter, come into work sick. ( my definition of sick.. you have a fever, cold symptoms cannot be reduced with otc meds, vomiting, or anything that prevents you from doing your work) I do not want to get sick because someone else felt guilty about calling in. Stay home please :)

If I have to change my scrubs I rinse them in a sink at work, place them in a plastic bag and wash in a washer at home.

Please keep everyone posted about your journey, I am currently looking into BSN programs Thanks!

I worked a med surg floor where we did our own scheduling, it was awesome. Everyone was assigned weekends so the manager started out by scheduling the weekends then she placed the rest of the schedule blank. Vacations were pre approved and placed on the schedule by the manager. The staff filled in the rest of the schedule. Full time staff went first then the part time and Prn staff filled in the blanks. All full time staff were already assigned a shift so a person on days could not schedule themself on nights( and vice versa) unless they were switching with a person on nights. It was really nice to be able to schedule my off days for when I needed them and I did not have to use my vacation time. as far as I know there were never any arguments about the schedule or days that were short. .

I just recently graduated from an online LPN-RN program. I do not reccommend going the online route for many reasons. If you are able to go to school and not work at the same time, go for it. I think the programs where you can get your LPN first and then continue on to get your RN are great. However, make sure that the classes you are taking will transfer to traditional universities for when you decide to get your BSN. Some RN's who are trying to get into BSN programs are having to take freshman level classes because credits from their ADN programs are not transferring. If the school you are going into offers a BSN program, I suggest going all the way. Get it done, you will be glad you did :)

For me it was pharmacology and labs, I have a very difficult time remembering drugs, side effects, uses etc... I also have a horrible time remembering lab values. Some stay with me, but eventually all the numbers start running together... ugh.

I do not feel like you wasted time and money, the beauty of nursing is that there are many many options out there. However, you are not going to figure out what it is that you enjoy until you start doing it. Clinicals are very much unlike the "real" world of nursing.

I have seen a couple hospitals advertising bonuses to experienced nurses. Usually critical care