wyomtorlpn

Hey everyone, I know this sounds like a strange question, and I am going to try my best to explain. I am a LPN currently finishing my ADN (9/2011) and planning on going on to get my BSN (starting 10/2011) at a different school all within the same metro area. So if I take and pass the NCLEX in October (a requirement for the BSN program), can I work as a LPN at my current job while in school, or do I have to try and find a new job as a RN? I work as an agency nurse, with 24 years experience and very few if any jobs around here for RN's, many that require a minimum 1 year experience that I will not have to be able to apply for the positions. This subject has also come up with others in my ADN program who are CNA's and scrub tech's who are worried that they will not be able to find a job right away as RN's, and wonder if they can keep working as CNA's or Scrub Tech's. Thanks for all the help in advance!!

Because of OCNE (Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education), there are no LPN to RN bridge programs. What a shame they didn't have enough LPN input to fix this at the State Board of Nursing level!! Since I am an LPN and live in Portland, I did not want to drive to LCC in Longview, WA (~49 miles north) so I am currently in a RN program here. I didnt have too much of a trouble finding a job when I started earnestly looking/applying. Took about 3-6 months to secure a job....I worked at the Portland VA Medical Center and really liked it there which was great since I did not want to work in a nursing home. The pay and work conditions there were super. Good Luck and ask away if you have more questions!!

We had several questions for my program. They were questions like what you would expect during a job interview. I am sure that each program changes them every year, making sure that there are not some applicants who know and others who do not. They want the answers to be fresh, honest and thought provoking, but absolutely NOT rehersed. Like the last poster stated, nothing to trip you up. There are no right or wrong answers...its not a test. Its a process to give insight into who you are, your experiences, and your thoughts/views on a situation/sceneros. Which is why, I think you will be hard-pressed to find anyone who will tell you exactly what last year's questions are. You will do fine. Prep like you would for a job interview and you will do just fine. Remember, its NOT a test.

Hi ivanna: I am so intrigued by your reply here: "There is a student in my cohort who was a LPN, she was given a skills test and knowledge test to see where they should place her at in our program, out of a 6 term program, the LPN started at term 2, so having paid that $25,000 and spending a year becoming a LPN didn't put her very far ahead." What RN program is it that you can place into a specific term? Does this mean that she skipped the first two quarters of the Associate Degree RN program and just started on the 3rd quarter? I didn't know that we had anything like this in Oregon...so I am eager to hear about this. She was a working LPN for a year before she was accepted into the RN program, right? Did she have hospital/nursing home experience or office nurse experience? Thanks in advance for the information.

May attend? Does this mean that you haven't decided yet? I am friends with a girl who started in the fall and she is very happy. Its all she expected and is still excited about the program overall. I start Winter and am excited too.

maybe go to a local hospital and ask to speak to a surgical tech on duty. they will be more than please to help you with a list...maybe take your camera with you and have them snap some pictures of some while they are setting up the room. (i know they let cameras in the o.r. at ohsu, cuz the doctor took pictures of him doing my daughter's kidney transplant last august with my camera i sent in with her). best of luck.

yep, orientation on 23rd. I think it is for all 80 of us. My friend who sat next to me in A&P got in for fall quarter. I was hoping for fall...wondering what they were going to do with those that declined and got fall acceptance. Wishing I could start in fall and alternate would get winter instead of me. But, I have a seat and thats all that really matters.

Yes, I got in for winter though. I really wanted fall, but at least I got it. I think so, I think I sat next to you at the interview...I think we were in A&P together....if I am right on guessing who you are.

siobhan, did you get into Mt. Hood?

Curious Me, Gosh, I missed that one!! What I meant to say was that at MHCC I get an automatic acceptance into OHSU's BSN program, without having to go through the application process. But, at PCC, my choice would have to be Linfield. I wanted to get my BSN from OHSU is all, even tho Linfield may be a perfectly good school, it isnt where I wanted to go. Sorry about the confusion!

Curious Me, Yes, in Feb 2009 they signed the contracts to become part of OCNE. It will start with next year's applications, but will not include those who start this fall.

I got my letter too, and I start Winter Term too. My friend got in as well and she starts fall quarter! Woo-hoo, I am stoked!! Plus it will make someones day who wanted into PCC as I will call them tomorrow and give them regrets. So, bonus for TWO people.

Your welcome tinker bell. I am accepted to PCC, but I had my interview with MHCC and am waiting for a reply from them as they are my first choice. :bowingpur Its torture waiting....

tinkerbell, did you get on the alternate list at PCC? just wondering if you knew and if you knew where you were if you did. Either way, best of luck on the rest of your applications. At least ONE of them should come through for you.

tpbp0206, sorry to hear about your results, but it sounds like you have a good plan in place for next go-around. I wish you the best in your endeavors!!