OMHSNURSE

I AM HAPPY TO HERE YOU DID NOT SIGN-UP WITH TCN. I ALMOST DID ALSO. THEY ARE WAY TOO HIGH IN COST. I BOUGHT THEIR BOOKS OFF OF E-BAY TO CLEP OUT OF SOME CLASSES. I HAVE NOT USED THE BOOKS, I ONLY OPENED THEM. I HAVE BEEN TO ILL WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS TO EVEN STUDY.:yeah:

There is a big difference in the job duties of a PCA and a LPN. I work on a med/surg unit at the local hospital as a LPN and I do just about everything the RN's do. I start care plans, admission assessments, shift assessments, start IV's, give IVP meds, hang IVPB, draw blood from PICC's and Ports, hang blood products etc. The only things I cannot do is access/deaccess ports, titrate drips, and push certain meds. I am going to get my RN degree so I can get their pay and the recognition I deserve. On my unit LPN's and RN's are considered equal. The PCA's we call them CNA's do direct patient care only. It look like every state is different. I believe a nurse is a nurse no matter if you are a LPN or RN. We have a great respect for our CNA's also, they make our job easier. I was a CNA for 23 years before I became a LPN.

I have applied to the ISU LPN-BSN program. I am waiting for my DARS report.

I took the NCLEX-PN on July 5, 2008 and passed the first time with 75 questions. I went through the HURST Review classes and studied my ATI and NCLEX books. I felt like not much of this helped me. I do remember Mrs. Hurst saying "Pain never killed anybody" and pick the "Killer Answer". The killer answer means, out of all the choices, pick the one that could kill the patient. The NCLEX is all critical thinking. I had 2 Math questions on my exam. You have a calculator on your computer, and they give you a dry erase board also. My friends that took the NCLEX-RN had 4 math questions. Know your drug calculations. I hope this helps. Everyone leaves there thinking they failed. It is a bit overwhelming. There was 13 students in my nursing class, and we all passed the NCLEX-PN the first time. So just go in there and take your time and you will succeed. Goodluck! Let me know how you do. I found out my results in 2 days.

When I went through my LPN program in Owensboro, KY, Jan 07-May 08. It was very difficult. We had to EAT, DRINK, and SLEEP nursing. We started out with 28 students and only 13 of us graduated. Good luck to you. If you want it bad enough you can do it.

You are never too old to fullfil your dreams. The majority of my LPN class was 45-60 years old. I think when you are older, you know more and you are more dedicated. So "Rock On", and goodluck.