JumpingIn

Graduates, current students, and those awaiting entry into HCC's LPN-RN bridge program, please post your experiences, thoughts, advice, etc. about the program here.

Has that person mentioned what their current plan is now that their original plan was derailed? I actually spoke with a representative of Mount.State and was told that those students who's graduations were delayed r/t the accreditation problem, would be directed to UDC and other DC metro schools to help. Apparently, Mount.State has a relationship with those schools and they are aware of what has happened. I don't really know every detail though. My reason for calling was only to question if they were ever going to get the accreditation back--still don't have that answer. Whatever happens, I'll pray for those folk.

Mountain State University has an LPN-BSN program. "Google" the website. I think it's 5 or 6 semesters and you only go 1-2 nights a week. One of the float nurses where I work mentioned the school. There is also a posting on this site that talks about Mountain State U in WV.

To answer your question, no; less time spent in school is not always better (for some). If you generally adapt well, maybe it will work for you. My question for you is, what is the name of the school only requiring 3 courses for transition?

Do they conduct the program at the Martinsburg, WV or Washington DC campuses?

Without compromising your integratey, you may just have to put someone in their place (whether in private or subtley out in the open). IF SOMETHING OR SOMEONE IS TAKING YOUR SUNSHINE AWAY, you may have to take a proactive approach and speak up. Most times we have to let things roll off, because we know that some things just don't make or break us. The world is rough so, we all take our hits. HOWEVER--DON'T ALLOW ANYONE OR ANYTHING TO MAKE YOU FEEL SO BAD THAT YOU CAN'T SEE PAST IT. DON'T GIVE THEM THE SATISIFACTION! Good Luck to you and God Bless you! Keep up with your studies and do what you have to. The HATERS don't put food in you mouth, clothes on your back or a roof over your head. JUST KNOW THAT YOU'RE IN SCHOOL FOR A GREATER PURPOSE; TO IMPROVE YOURSELF. DISMISS THEM. Remember that.

I say do both. Any education that you can complete in a short amount of time that applies to nursing, will most likely help you now and in the future. ~Now-- you may be able to increase your income (while in or awaiting nursing school) with the new qualifications. CNA salaries suck when you don't have any specialized skills. ~Later-- the phlebotomy will help tons after becoming a nurse. Many new nurses aren't skilled in phlebotomy or starting an IV, because you aren't given in depth teaching on that skill in nursing school. Phlebotomy can be intimidating for some at first. So I say learn it now, while there is no pressure.

In Maryland we don't have CNA II registry, but a patient care technician certificate. That is what CNA's here do to advance as a CNA in a hospital. With that you're able to do venipuncture(phlebotomy & IV's), insert foleys, EKG's and some other somewhat invasive procedures in addition to the normal CNA duties. Is the Patient Care Tech in Maryland, similar to CNA II and Acute Care CNA's in other areas?

Are the compression socks something like TED Hose?

I agree with rotating shoes until you know what's good for you in particular. Trial and error is what did it for me. I buy good sneakers with some room for movement and potential swelling. I also use gel inserts. I've tried Danskos and Crocs but, I guess my feet and those shoes just didn't get along. By the end of a 12, my dogs would be barking. Now I always invest in good running shoes.

I did that exact CNA training with ARC--3weeks classroom/1 week clinical. They had other options for class length, but I chose the short one because I was able to use some of my vacation time at work and still get their good training in a hurry. It was fast paced, a lot of reading, and tests. We were tested on something daily. As far as the pass rate is concerned, not quite sure. Many of the girls were very private about there grades. The biggest part of the course are the skills tests. You'll be instructed on particular skills and assigned text. You must read and practice those skills-- you will be tested on both the very next day. The skills are the bigger deal because you must execute the skills exactly the way the BON has specified (you'll receive a manual on skills to help you study). Not passing your skills tests, will hurt your more than anything. Just remember to pay close attention to SAFETY, INFECTION CONTROL, AND PRIVACY, when doing your skills test and you should be fine. Get a couple of highlighters and read your text good, and you should be fine. Part of your grade is based on your class participation. Usually the class discussion is only based on whatever you read the night before, so if you do the reading you'll be able to contribute without a problem. Try your best to do what you have to in order to keep you GPA high. Your GPA obviously determines whether or not you become certified, but prior to getting to that point it will also determine what order you go to clinicals. Everyone doesn't go together. Small groups of students go to clinicals a week at a time based on GPA's. It was a good experience and I really learned a lot. Of course your real education will come once you start dealing with actually patients. Classrooms never prepare you for that. I've gone on and on, so I hope this helps. Regardless of the sacrifices, the pay offs in the end will have made it all worth it. God Bless!

Check with your local american red cross. That's where I earned my CNA. Class was only 3 weeks and Clinicals was 2 weeks. Very fast paced and intense. $800, but you'll know that you're getting a good education from a good organization, that's not just trying to get over.

I heard that they actually send you away for training; is that so?

I've only worked in hospitals. At the hospital I work in, there are a few people who definately don't belong there with regards to patient care (some are my peers and some aren't), but there's always someone checking behind everyone (atleast during day shift) and it seems that they will fire your behind in a :redbeathe. Also the CNA's and Techs don't actually work for the RN's. RN's have their clinical duties that are clearly defined as do the CNA's and Techs. The RN's are Techs are responsible for checking on all of there assigned patients every other hour (RN's evens & techs odds). Everyone does there own computerized documenting and issues of concern are then reported. But the RN's and CNA's/ Techs seem to be on a similar plain. It's possible that employees are more relaxed during off shifts, but I've never worked any shift other than day shift, so I can't be sure. I am curious to hear from anyone who's worked in both a hospital and nursing home/ assisted living or who have seen differences in shifts. Bottom line is that the issues being spoken about are simply terrible!

This may be a silly question but... What type of stethoscopes are best for clinicals? Should I invest in a really expensive one or should I just get an affordable one that can get me through clinicals? I'm afraid of the whole "you get what you pay for" thing, but I don't want to spend too much if it isn't necessary either. What stethoscopes did any of you use during clinicals?