Tazdoc1

As a level I Practical Nursing student, I just wanted to say thank you to all of the wonderful HH Nurses who has contributed to this forum. Not only have you given me a deeper insight into the field that inspired my desire to become a Nurse in the first place, but you've also haphazardly helped me to complete my professional development essay on HH Nursing!! I can't believe this thread has been faithfully rolling on since 2003! It literally reads like a book that I just can't put down!! As a past/current client of HH Nursing (for my son), I say keep up the good work, keep striving forward - you are deeply appreciated!! Eleven years ago my son was Dx w/Hema A severe. It was a HH Nurse that came into my home with gentle hands and enduring patience that taught me sterile technique and how to access a port-a-catheter to infuse a 1 1/2 yr. old child - my child; who taught me how to run an IV machine at home around the clock by myself when his line became infected; who was there for me when I just needed respite. When my son came home from the hospital at age 4 after recovering from a systemic fungal/bacterial infection from his port, it was a HH Nurse that taught me how to palpate and access a peripheral vein. And she didn't rush me or make me feel as though there was some impending deadline by which I had to learn the procedure. And even though my first stick was successful, she continued to stand be my side week to week until my confidence matched my success rate (for I thought it was always a fluke that I got in & didn't blow it). It was all of the wonderful HomeCare Nurses that complimented me and told that I would make a good Nurse one day. They educated me, and uplifted me so high too the point that I had a most profound epiphany. And now I can't see myself as being anything else but a Nurse! My heart is giddy with anticipation of the day that I can offer expert care, kind words, and a gentle touch to an individual in need (and I don't CARE how mushy that sounds!). Anyway, just wanted to say Thanks and PLEASE KEEP THIS FORUM GOING!!!:redbeathe:redpinkhe:heartbeat

Don't stress yourself about numbers. One thing I forgot to tell you is that once you're accepted, you have a certain amount of time in which you're required to pay about $130 to hold your seat. Our class started on the 2nd with 44 students and already we're down by about 4 or so people who dropped out. Also keep in mind the number of people who don't pay the seat reservation fee on time which opens up seats for other people. So don't worry so much about numbers - they change. Another school in this area located in Media also has a LPN program that's associated with Drexel University. It's called PIT(http://www2.pit.edu/allied_health.html). Maybe you can take the test for both of them and whichever one accepts you first - go for it!! Just make sure you don't let them talk you into a Medical Assistant Program which they tend to really try to push. Whatever the case may be, the point is to get there - to become a Nurse, whichever school you end up in. Here's another program you may want to look into as well at CAT Brandywine campus: http://www.cciu.org/Departments/CustomEd/pnp2/pnphome/

I'm happy I could be of assistance to you! As far as the TEAS test scores are concerned I can't say what passing score they're looking for. But keep in mind that if you prepare youself properly and ahead of time you're almost guaranteed to pass so why not just shoot for a 80 to 100pt. score anyway???????:yeah:

Aside from expanding your knowledge base, what are the advantages of an lpn/lvn acquiring certifications? Do they qualify us for higher salaries?

We just finished the skeleton today! When I got home, I grabbed my kids and began labeling their body with sticky notes! Doing this made it more real for me than staring at text and diagrams from the book. The last thing I did before logging on here was color the skeletal system in my Anatomy Coloring book. As a matter of fact, that book has helped me better memorize most of the body systems we've covered so far. So run - don't walk to the book store and pick one up. They're less than twenty bucks and worth every penny:twocents:! Most important of all - calm down!!! Doing this: , is only going to give you a headache! Don't focus on the number 206, but break it down into parts. Start with the skull bones (touch your own face and skull to memorize what's what), then take on the spine (breakfast is at 7a 7cervical-lunch is at 12p 12 thoracic -dinner is at 5p 5 lumbar; just don't forget the 5 fused sacral & 5 coccyx bones); the ribs are connected to the thoracic vertebrae and since there are 12 thoracic vertebrae - the 12 ribs and just keep going in that way breaking the skeleton down part by part. Hope this has been helpful. LMN if you need any other advice.

We just finished the skeleton today! When I got home, I grabbed my kids and began labeling their body with sticky notes! Doing this made it more real for me than staring at text and diagrams from the book. The last thing I did before logging on here was color the skeletal system in my Anatomy Coloring book. As a matter of fact, that book has helped me better memorize most of the body systems we've covered so far. So run - don't walk to the book store and pick one up. They're less than twenty bucks and worth every penny:twocents:! Most important of all - calm down:bluecry1:!!! Doing this: , is only going to give you a headache! Don't focus on the number 206, but break it down into parts. Start with the skull bones (touch your own face and skull to memorize what's what), then take on the spine (breakfast is at 7a 7cervical-lunch is at 12p 12 thoracic -dinner is at 5p 5 lumbar; just don't forget the 5 fused sacral & 5 coccyx bones); the ribs are connected to the thoracic vertebrae and since there are 12 thoracic vertebrae bones - it makes sense that there are 12 ribs, right?! Just keep going in that way breaking the skeleton down part by part. Hope this has been helpful. LMN if you need any other advice. REMEMBER...IF YOU GOT THIS FAR THEN YOU CAN KEEP GOING:yeah:! YOU'RE A FUTURE NURSE:nurse: - THAT MAKES YOU SPECIAL:bow:

Hi! I just started Delaware County Vocational Technical School LPN program on Sept. 2nd and I LOVE IT!!! It's very intense and fast paced but the instructors are excellent and EVERYBODY my class is passing! They really teach you in a way that clear and precise. It's located in Folcroft, PA and starts classes every September and February. It's closer to Northeast Philly than both CAT Coatesville and PIT in Media. Folcroft is not very far from the Phila. Intl. Airport so if you can get there you can definitely get to Folcroft! By the way, it's a full-time ONLY 11mth. program. Classes are from M-F, 8:15am-4:15pm everyday until you start clinicals, then it switches to M-W the same time and then Thurs. and Fri. 7:00am-2:00pm. Like I said before - it's pretty intense, but fun! They don't teach you in a way that'll have you scratching your head. It's roughly about $13,000 or so for the whole program but if you qualify for financial aid, a lot of the cost is covered under that not to mention you can get about $6000 in grant money from CareerLink so be sure to contact them if you decide to go to ANY LPN program. I never thought I would see the day (at my age) when I could truly say "I LOVE SCHOOL!!!" Hope this has been helpful. LMK if you need any other info.

Started LPN school Sept. 2nd this yr. in PA. Glad I cut my hair short before school started or I'd be pulling it out by now!!! 1st two weeks were hardcore intensive classwork (A&P, Basic Nursing, Prof. Dvlpmnt, & Math for Meds w/ Pharm) with 2-3 tests pr wk. This is my Level I breakdown: In A&P we've covered Microbiology, Organization of the Body, Cells, Chemistry, Tissues & Membranes, Integumentary system, Skeletal System, Muscular System, and Nervous System. This week we start the Endocrine System. In Fundamental of Nursing we've covered Infection Control, Hygiene, Safety, Exercise & Activity + Body Mechanics, Nutrition, Bowel Elimination, Urinary Elimination and today we just finished up on Skin Integrity & Wound Care. In Professional Development we've covered the History of Nursing, Nursing Career Choices, the Nursing Process, Medical Terminology and Professional Communication. In Math for Meds we've reviewed the basics and moved on to Ratios & Proportions and how it relates to calculating medications and the different classes of pharmaceuticals. In Lab we've tested out on the basics (gloving, sterile procedures and isolation PPE, transfers, vital signs, bed baths:banghead: bed-making and transfers), and then NG and PEG tubes, and colostomies. The rest of October's labs will finish out Trach care & Suctioning, Foleys, and PA's. I can honestly say I go to bed with a headache most nights but come July of next year, it'll all be worth it! On another note, I'm glad I decided to become a CNA first to get some first hand patient care experience or all of this would have sent me running for the hills!!

I think I took the last NET test they offered back in the spring of this year!!! The TEAS test now includes science and a much more difficult math but don't dispair. Pathways PA in Holmes, PA off of McDade Blvd. has a free program specifically for people preparing to take the TEAS & the NET test. They helped me pass my NET test so be sure to look them up. I started Delco Tech's LPN program In 9/08. Mum's the word ("top-secret") from them until you pass your entrance test, then they'll send you letters welcoming you and telling you all the requirements. But here's a quick rundown as best as I can remember it... They'll want you CPR certified, you'll be required to get a State Police background check, a Child Abuse Clearance check, a drug test which you will have to pay for, FBI fingerprinting which again you will have to pay for. A complete physical which you will have to pay for (this will include all of your shots including Tb, HepB, MMR (if you didn't have it recently) among other immunizations required by the clinical sites you'll go to for your clinicals. You'll also spend about $130 on clinical uniforms from their vendor, you'll need a stethescope and penlight at your expense plus a calculator. Scrubs are worn on class days so if you don't have any - get some plus all white shoes for clinical days. Don't be discouraged by the shopping list of requirements. I can honestly say this is one of the happiest times of my life. Their instruction is expert! You're only left clueless if you take it upon yourself not to study everyday when you get home! The program is intense and fast-paced but very enjoyable. Last week we tested out on colostomies, G-tubes, and J-tubes among many other things and this week we start our clinical rotations! It hasn't even been a full 30days yet!! So I hope this has all been helpful to you. Just write me back if you have more questions. One last thing I can attest to...Folcroft has trained some of the best LPN's out there and I personally know quite a few of them. So don't be discouraged in any way -- go for your future full steam ahead!!