tyandgil

So I'm a new Graduate Practical Nurse. Actually just got my authorization in the mail yesterday to take my state boards here in Missouri. I must have put out at least a dozen to 2 dozen applications online and in the mail within the last couple of weeks and received....NOTHING!!! I'm so aggravated. I've had my resume and cover letters read and reread by several people, but I'm coming up with nothing. What else do I have to do to get people to hire graduate nurses? Everyone wants experience.

I just enrolled through The College Network (Excelsior College) totally online from LPN to RN and they also have LPN to BSN program. I'm taking my pre reqs that I haven't taken yet, through them as well. Total program costs less than 10 grand. I'm just now starting and so far so good.

How do you like the Excelsior program? I just enrolled for LPN to RN program online. I haven't started it yet, not till after I take boards for LPN. Let me know how you like their program or not?

These are all good posts and I appreciate all the confidence & encouragement. Like I said before, I know how to take care of patients very well and know the basics on that, but the meds and IV's scare me. It's good to know that nurses learn these kinds of things in their orientation. I kind of figured that but I think I'm just panicking because I'm ready to graduate in 10 weeks as a GPN. I know I'm going into RN program and eventually get my bachelors so I know I'm still gonna learn a lot, but it's very intimidating when I'm not confident with myself. Thanks to all.

So I'm attending Sanford Brown in St. Peters, MO and I'm graduating in March 2010. I feel like I don't even know the basics especially when it comes to the meds. I know how to take care of the patients with different disease processes, but I'm afraid when I get out there in the real world, I'm going to flip out and feel really stupid. Do you just learn them as you go along or what? Also, we learned and had to pass IV therapy; I know how to stick someone, but I don't even know how to set up with the tubing and all that. Don't know how or what to set the machines at; like how and what to set the rate. I'm just babbling on and on. I'm so nervous just thinking about it. I'm smart when it comes to doing patient care, but I don't know why I have to do the things I do and what the meds are even used for. HELP ME!!!!!

Although I'm not starting soon, I am graduating soon. In March 2010. How exciting is that? Hopefully I'll be prepared for boards.

Speaking of studying tricks. I seem to not study as much as I would like due to working full time and having 2 small kids at home. But when I do study, I just can't seem to recall any info, and I feel like, compared to other students in my class, like I'm really far behind. How can I study more and remember it better?

So if I'm already in the LPN program at SBC, and I have only 2 more quarters to go, what do I do if I want to get my ADN somewhere else?

To XYcsccSN: Are you an RN or a nursing student? Being in nursing school means we are all learning. We all make mistakes and some of us just don't know unless we are told. I would hope that if you made a mistake in your career that someone is more easy going and not pass judgement on you.

Currently, I am enrolled in the LPN program, but at Sanford Brown College. It was like almost 15 years out of high school for me, so to take this entrance test was really intimidating, but to be honest, I passed with flying colors. I'm no test taker and I'm one to freak out about tests, and for not knowing what was even going to be on the test, it was high school stuff. On my test, I had mainly questions with simple math, basically converting cc or ml to ounces and stuff like that. Reading paragraphs and then answering questions off of them. It's more time consuming than anything. On the other hand, I chose to do the 1 year day program, because I'm wanting to do the bridge program to RN right after. I'm in my 30's so I didn't want to be tied down in school for over 4 years. Best of luck to whatever you decide and on the exam. It'll be ok.

Along with many of these others, I also work 3 12-hour shifts a week, I just recently sold my hair salon but still do hair 2 days a week, & go to nursing school. I also have 3 kids I take care of. I work at a hospital who lets me work weekends only, so it helps me during the week with school and my hair job. It's hard at times, but I just keep thinking that it's only a couple of years and when this is all over with, I will be able to support my family and have more time with my kids when they start getting active in school and sports. It also helps if you have the support of family & friends. Best of luck to you! Need anything, give me a holler!

Congratulations! Was it hard? Obviously not too hard if you passed, but did you have to study your butt off

I just enrolled in Sanford Brown's PN program. Afterwards, I plan on going through the ADN program either there or somewhere else. I've heard good things about it, but now that I'm actually going, others who are enrolled in community colleges or are already nurses, are bad mouthing Sanford Brown and me for going there. As long as I get a good education, shouldn't that be all that matters? Is Sanford Brown really not a good college? I know it's expensive but I'm not really worried about that; I just want to be able to get a good job. Some nurses who graduated from there, might not be doing all that well, but that's probably because they don't apply themselves. I'm 31 years old with 3 kids, paying for college myself, so I would think I would want to do good and succeed. Anyone have any input on Sanford Brown?