Twincere

Hi everyone, I am an LPN at Chesapeake Regional for the last 6 years on a Med Surg floor but I have a total of 14 years experience as an LPN, having graduated from a Vo tech school in NY in 1996. Getting my RN has been a long, arduous road for me. I do have university credits for Psychology, Sociology, Basic Math, Biology, Foreign Language, Political Science, Both English Compositions requirements--albeit they are from 1994-1995. I was once a student at Excelsior College and even made the huge mistake of signing up with the College Network when I moved to Virginia (which is such a scam) only to add it to my bankruptcy file (thats another long story) I am going to be 34 years old in a few days and I just need to get this chapter of my life completed---kind of like the bucket list thing. Chesapeake Regional is pressing hard for Magnet Status ( a high percentage of RN's need to have their BSN's) and most of us old time LPN's have been certified as LPN II's, which means we push IV meds and do a lot of things the RN's do with a few exceptions (Charge Nurse being one of them) I am pretty much at the top of my pay scale, too. I am seriously considering MCI in Virginia Beach. I know the cost is exorbitant but the appeal is hopefully being able to transfer credits and possibly challenge exams and graduating in 15-18 months. I've been scouring these message boards for hours and would love to hear some updates/advice/pros/cons from folks out there about MCI's ADN RN program. Thanks so much!

My bad--I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking about that part of it being subcutaneuous...I was just thinking that this was a saline lock or heplock, my hospital doesn't use sc buterrflies.

My hospital is starting the long, arduous process of attaining magnet status. I have to say that my feelings are really mixed. The hospital is pushing customer service and satisfaction to a point where I think it oversteps boundaries and administration doesn't back up their staff. Our staffing is riduculous and often, dangerous. They have a a matrix system that dictates our staffing based on patient census. This system doesn't consider the acuity of our patients! GRRRR!

Hi all, I've also just signed my contract with TCN just 3 weeks ago. I went into it fully aware that its a publishing company. Here's my issue: I have 22 credits of pre req's that most of the local colleges here in Virginia would not accept (too old, etc) TCN guaranteed to accept all my credits with their affiliation with Indiana State university. I had enrolled in Excelsior College 8 years ago, its a great program. But I wasn't ready to commit to it (I was a newly single Mom after giving birth to twins) and was going to re enroll but they aren't accepted as an accredited institution here in the state of Virginia. Here is an excerpt from my state board of Nursing's website: I highly suggest that anyone and everyone make sure that the courses they are taking online, albeit Excelsior or Indiana State check with their local state board of nursing. please read the fine print carefully! Board of Nursing Guidance on Distance Learning in RN or PN Education Programs As a result of changes to the Regulations Governing the Practice of Nursing (18 VAC 90-20-10 et seq.) effective April 2, 2008, the Board of Nursing voted on May 20, 2008 that any student enrolled in a distance learning education program that does not meet the clinical requirements on or before April 2, 2008 must complete their program by December 31, 2009 in order to be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN and be licensed in Virginia. After December 31, 2009, graduates of the above programs will not be able to be licensed in Virginia by examination or by endorsement. The section of the regulation is provided below: 18VAC90-20-120(E) A nursing education program preparing for licensure as a practical nurse shall provide a minimum of 400 hours of direct client care supervised by qualified faculty. A nursing education program preparing for licensure as a registered nurse shall provide a minimum of 500 hours of direct client care supervised by qualified faculty. At its meeting on September 16, 2008, the Board considered additional information regarding distance learning nursing education programs. The Board voted to uphold its decision of May 20, 2008. Any student enrolled in a distance learning nursing education program that does not meet the clinical requirements must complete their program by December 31, 2009 in order to be eligible for licensure in Virginia either by examination or by endorsement. There are three on-line nursing education programs in Virginia that meet the clinical requirements of the Board of Nursing regulations, and the Board is aware of one out of State on-line programs that also meets the clinical requirements. Below is a list of the schools and their contact information. The list of schools does not represent endorsement by the Board of Nursing of one program over another. Northern Virginia Community College, Springfield, Virginia Contact: Florence Richman Phone: 1-703-822-6579 VCCS Commonwealth Program, Midlothian, Virginia Contact: Barbara Laird Phone: 1-804-622-8726 Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg, Virginia Contact: Cynthia Parsons Phone: 1-804-862-5801 Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana Contact: Marcia Miller Phone: 1-812-237-3330

I usually flush with 3cc of NS. 1) yes to keep the line patent 2) you don't want the tail end of what you pushed to remain in the hub, this way, the NS helps "flush" it into circulation. Hoep that helps some.