Pegasus65

If you do not smoke on a regular basis you may not even test positive. It depends on many factors including body fat content, how much you had, how much thc content the marijuana had, and how many days passed between when you smoked, and when they did the test. Good luck!

I can totally identify with what you just said. The entire time I worked at the hospital I felt like the proverbial "running pill pusher." It was basically, "take this and bye." Then we won't even go into the spectra phone that we all had to carry ringing incessantly one time after another. I remember one patient's wife saying, "you can't even take care of him for that phone." Many times what I was being called for could have been handled by others, only they wouldn't answer their phones and it was easier to call me I guess lol. I'm glad I did try floor nursing however, because it definitely showed me what I DON'T want to do!

I spent a year and a half on a hospital floor. I hated every minute of it. It's not for everyone and that doesn't make you a bad person OR a bad nurse. I tried my best to transfer to other floors to no avail. My floor had the reputation (and still does) of being horrific. They have a very high turnover rate. I can honestly say there were some awesome veteran nurses there who did their best to aid and mentor me. I wouldn't have lasted as long as I did had they not. After applying for transfer several times I finally applied for and got a position at the Health Department. I have been there for over a year now and I am very happy. I didn't even take a cut in pay either. In fact I just got a promotion with raise. So, there is definitely something out there for you. Don't give up.

I have been working med surg for the past year and a half. Definitely not for me. I did some of my clinicals in the health department... really enjoyed it and decided to apply when some positions became available. Was called for an interview and it went very well. I received an email from them a couple of days ago after I got off work that I had been chosen for a position. I thought it strange that they didn't call me and I was notified by email, but took it in stride. In reading the email it appeared they expected me to start/be available starting July 1st. The email stated if I had questions to call this person at HR, which I did yesterday morning. I asked was I expected to start this position on July 1st.. was told yes. Um, that doesn't even give me time to give my current employment two weeks notice. I refuse to just walk off any job without giving proper notice. You should never burn bridges. Then I was quoted the lowest end of the pay scale range in the email. I asked was there room for any type of negotiation. I was told the manager would have to answer that question. Then I asked would I be able to see a benefits package before I actually accepted position... I was told, "no, that I wouldn't actually know my benefits, price of medical insurance, or anything else until I had accepted the position and was in orientation." Okay... that puts a bad taste in my mouth. There were several forms the HR needed back by the close of business today... including me going and getting fingerprinted etc. The person at HR told me they would have the manager call me to answer my questions. No call as of yet, but I have pretty much already decided to look for something else. I did expect to take a cut in pay going from the hospital to the health department... However, the fact they they are not providing benefit information until you have already quit your job and are in orientation with THEM sounds somewhat shady to me. I am not going to take a significant pay cut and wind up with insurance that isn't worth a flip. While I am a little disappointed, I am sure there is something else out there for me.

Go straight for the RN. I graduated LPN school in 2009. Unfortunately in my area, as in many other places, the jobs for LPNs are basically limited to LTC or clinics. While I have been told there are some good LTC facilities, I tried two of them and both were horrific. The amount of patients you were required to pass meds to was tremendous and boy if you had anyone fall that needed to be sent out.... not to mention some of the stuff going on in there... well lets just say it definitely wasn't for me! I have worked in a methadone clinic for the past two years. You may find a job here or there in a doctor's office, but they are far and few between. I finished my pre-reqs for the RN program a few months ago and just got acceptance into the program, which begins on the 20th of August. I sincerely hope this will open more doorways for me!

I figured you weren't going to have much luck with the financial aid office. I am just going to cross my fingers and hope for the best. I did find one clinic around here that said they would do the physical for like $35. I got to get it done this coming week, as well as finding out what I need to do to get the background and drug test done also. I haven't really read over that paper totally yet. I know you can sign up for it online. I know that LabCorp is doing the drug testing. That is who the clinic I work for uses so I know where it is located at least. I am working Wednesday thru Friday of next week with Friday being my last day. So hopefully I can schedule the drug test for one day when I get off work. Oh and I sent you a private message on here with my email.

Hey no problem on the questions :) I called Dr. Echols .. they have an office at the end of Windsor Spring in Hephzibah and another office somewhere else in Augusta. I set up the appointment for the office on Windsor Spring since I live more out that way. See that was what I was worried about.... if something is wrong with my HOPE scholarship or it needs to be reapplied for or whatever... there will be NO time to do so since according to our nursing letters all fees will have to be paid on the 17th, which is that friday after orientation I am guessing. This is going to mean moi here is going to have to come out with a ton of money out of pocket to pay for this stuff! On top of titers, uniforms, drug screen/background check, physical, and dentist we are talking quite a bit of money... all this before we even buy books! Oh and where were you talking about that had the CVS minit clinic... I looked online to find one and according to the info I found there they don't have one in Augusta:(

Oh thanks for the info on the CVS clinic! I need to get that done also. I called one dentist office yesterday to find out about having the exam done and they wanted $274!! I am like are you crazy?? I finally found one that I went to a long time ago and they will do it for $58. I have an appointment Monday morning to get that taken care of. I am glad to know they haven't updated your info at the school either. That has been MY issue. I don't get much financial aid. I have never been eligible for Pell except for this semester... and it isn't a whole lot. I have been going on the HOPE scholarship, which does not pay all of the tuition. I still have to come out of pocket for part of the tuition and also for the books since they don't give an allowance for that anymore. I had been to the financial aid office twice, called and left a message, which no one returned my call, and also sent an email that wasn't answered either. I once again stopped by there yesterday and of course it was another hour and a half wait only to be told I wouldn't know anything about my award until they posted grades on August 10th. But... there is a big flashing sign that says fees have to be paid by August 10th. They then tell me to go to the 100 building and talk to student accounts. I go over there and the young lady there was the only one that acted like she was interested in helping me. However, she goes and gets Mrs. Casey-Evans who comes and wants to know if I had read my letter.. I explained to her that I understood the process, but that if we have to have the money paid by a certain date and I don't have any type of award posted I am going to have to come out of pocket for all this. Since it is going to be like 14 credit hours because I will be required to take speech you are talking about 1100 tuition and this isn't counting the books! I guess all I can do is wait, but I really have a bad feeling about it:(

lwhit, I used the one on Windsor Spring Road. They are really nice and you don't have to wait a long time usually. It is $34 for the titers. They told me it usually takes approximately two weeks to get them back. They can also do your PPD and syphillis test there for much cheaper than a doctor's office. I now have to get my physical done and teeth examined and everything is finished. They do only do the titers at certain times on certain days so I would suggest you give them a call instead of just walking in. If only the financial aid office at ATC was as helpful as the health department I would have it made LOL:) Look forward to meeting you soon!

The packet has a checklist of things needed to be taken care of beforehand.. such as titers and immunizations required etc. I picked up my packet yesterday. They weren't ready then either, but Mrs. Casey-Evans went ahead and got me one together and had me sign a list that I had picked it up. The packet also includes some practice dosage calculation problems. She informed me we would have a test pretty soon after starting the program. It also includes the list of uniforms required for clinicals. I just went by the Health Department and got my titers drawn, as well as the PPD and RPR, which is required. You can get them done really inexpensively there, but it may take two weeks to get results, which is why I went ahead and got that taken care of. I gave my notice at work today. My last day is going to be August 3rd. I wanted a couple of weeks to tie up some loose ends around the house. I am looking forward to starting this journey even though I know it is not going to be easy by any means. I haven't forgotten how hard the LPN program was and the amount of dedication it required to make it through it! I am looking forward to meeting all you guys:)

I truly do not think there is going to be a problem in sitting for the boards for a license in Georgia. In fact if you look at the approved nursing schools for GA on the GA BON's website you will see ATC is listed there. The only factor that could possibly occur would be an issue with getting a license in another state should you decide to move somewhere else. That is one reason why I decided to go ahead and go to ATC because the odds of me leaving this state are pretty much slim to none at this point in my life. My home is here, as is my family. I also pretty much believe they will correct whatever accreditation issue caused them not to pass this past evaluation.

I also got accepted. I am going to go ahead and attend. I checked the GA BON website and the school is an approved nursing school for the state and has the "initial" accreditation and I am willing to bet that since their LPN program IS nationally accredited the ADN program will be also. I think they inspect once a year and if that is the case they would go back to inspect in March of 2013. I can't help but feel that anything that caused them not to pass for national accreditation would be corrected at this point. From what has been explained to me.. since I live in Georgia and the odds of me leaving here are almost non-existent, there shouldn't be a problem. I will also make the statement that since I graduated LPN school in 2009 I have worked in three different places.. the current one for the last two years. NONE of them ever asked me what school I attended. The only thing they WERE concerned about was obtaining a copy of my nursing licensure. So if I am able to sit for the GA BON and obtain licensure here, I don't see a problem with me getting employment as a RN here. Perhaps I am wrong, but this is the way I look at it. The only other option is for me to enter a BSN program, which would require me to take yet MORE core classes and then play the waiting game once again to see if I get in after that is finished. Maybe I am wrong in looking at it this way and if it turns out to be the wrong decision I will have to deal with it I guess.

It is my understanding that they had the initial accreditation and I know the GA BON has them listed as an approved nursing school for Georgia. However, for some reason they did not get the full national accreditation when they were inspected this past fall. Their website states they will be pursuing this accreditation in the future. I was told by different folks though.... that if they did not get nationally accredited before current students graduate that it would not be retroactive and those that graduated with it like it is now would be out of luck. I also am not too sure on what I want to do. I am thinking of just checking into Aiken Tech. I have heard some stuff about their program that wasn't too encouraging also. But they are at least accredited. The only other option would be to go for the LPN to BSN program at ASU, which if I were to do that would require more pre-reqs. Frankly, I am tired of going to school and don't want to go any longer than I have to. I have an elderly parent at home and a full plate as it is now. The last thing I need is to have to take several more classes before I can even go from LPN to RN!

Well, I just decided to call and see what they would tell me. The woman I spoke with sounded extremely frustrated to be asked if there was any information. She told me that all they had been told is that they were still ranking the competitive programs and the decisions would be made some time in July. I asked would you be notified if you did NOT make it in and she stated the affirmative on that. She said that we would be notified in both letter format and also on our Smartweb accounts. I guess what will be will be. I am tired of worrying about it!

Gosh, I should certainly hope so! I will need time to give my job notice as well as make certain other arrangements. I had no idea they were going to drag it out like this! I am still hopeful of getting in, but there are so many applicants with good GPA's and PAX scores I may not.

I was also wondering if anyone had heard anything from the school? I know the folks that entered the 2011 class had already been notified by this time. I am pretty much starting to believe I didn't make it in. I will give it another day or so before calling again. I know we were specifically asked not to call the school when I took my PAX test. But it is kind of hard to do isn't it?

Britmum, I sent you a PM. I was not able to see your entire post about calling the school. Think the site had difficulties or something.

I got a 134 on the PAX and frankly I was surprised I did that well. I have not taken chemistry or physics. It was pretty hard for me! I know a couple of other people who got like a 141 and I think a 145. Not sure what is average score though.

You have my heartfelt sympathy at having to deal with the GA BON! I don't know exactly how they will deal with your situation, I can only tell you they are extremely hard to deal with and move at a snail's pace in handling any matter. I graduated LPN school in 2009 and after going back and forth with them for months (even after I submitted required documentation) literally had to file a complaint with the Secretary of State in order to have my license released. Why? Because of a DUI I had gotten TWENTY-SEVEN years previously, when I was a dumb kid of 18, which was the only legal issue I ever had in my life! I had even worked for the post office for three years delivering mail as a sub carrier (driving federal vehicles) prior to becoming a nurse. I truly wish you the best of luck! I am about to finish core classes so that I can then bridge from a LPN to RN. I can't help but wonder if I will have to go through another mess in order to get RN licensure.

I have worked in a methadone clinic since August of last year. Contrary to what many folks seem to think, not all of these folks who take methadone are "hard core" drug addicts. A large number of them are folks who have been in car accidents, had severe falls, or other injuries, which even includes soliders who were injured in battle. They all seem to have one thing in common, they were prescribed strong pain meds such as OxyContin by their doctors. Unfortunately it doesn't take very long to become addicted. So I can only surmise they turned to the "lessor" of two evils... methadone maintenance, which appears to allow them to function better in their every day lives. Now I am not saying that some patients are not drug seeking, because they are. Nor am I saying that methadone in itself is not addicting, because it is. But the same shoe doesn't fit everyone. I will also say when I first got out of nursing school I tried LTC. I will NEVER work in LTC again. I found it to be nothing short of a nightmare. The work load alone was nigh unto impossible and the dishonesty totally turned my stomach. I refuse to sign for medications I am not passing. Will I stay at the methadone clinic forever? Probably not... since I am working towards finishing my RN. I have however, found that I will take the addicts any day over the hogwash I experienced at the two LTC facilities I tried! Hope the job works out for you and have a great day!

Ditto... exactly my experience with BOTH LTC facilities I tried... and one of them was "supposed" to be a "wonderful" place. I will never work in LTC again. I currently work in a methadone clinic. While the hours are brutal and getting up at 3 a.m. takes some getting used to, at least I am not expected to sign for stuff I haven't done. Have a great day and good luck!

Gosh I couldn't help but wonder if this was the same company that my employment uses lol. I actually applied for a part-time job and was planning on just getting some private insurance. However, they offered me full time and the ONLY reason I accepted the position was because I thought I would be getting benefits. Then I found out it would be $840 a month for my husband and I. Sheesh... neither one of us even go to the doctor regularly or take any medications at the present time. I can't afford that. So once again I am back to trying to find something in a private sector. I also found out about getting quotes online. OMG .... they are still calling after two months! Have a great day!

It is very hard to break into medical transcription. I went to school for that several years ago before I became a LPN. Jobs are far and few between and most of them want experience, which you can't get if no one will give you a chance. While I did eventually find work on a fluke and did transcribe from home for about 5 years... the work dwindled as more and more docs move to voice recognition or the work was sent to India and the like where they can get it done for next to nothing. That is why I eventually went back to school to become a nurse. Good luck to you and have a great day!

Cardiacnurse I concur with every statement you made about LTC. I also tried two facilities (32 residents at one and 33 at the other) and found both to be totally overwhelming. We were expected to do everything you mentioned and even transport residents to and from the dining room at each meal. There was a fall nearly every day I worked there because no type of restraint was allowed. I spent every med pass giving meds with one hand and trying to keep residents in their wheelchairs with the other to prevent them from getting hurt:( The craziest rule at the last facility was that you were required to do paperwork pertaining to a "fall" even if you caught the person in midfall and stopped them from hitting the ground. The reasoning..... that they "would" have fallen if you had not been there to "stop" it.... sheesh!!!! I gave it my best shot and have nothing but respect for those that can cut it in LTC (the ones that are "actually" passing their meds that is and not just signing for them). While I love the elderly population (have an elderly mom that resides with me) LTC is definitely not for me. I refuse to stress myself out in that manner OR to risk my license. Have a great day!

Well here is my update on the job at the methadone clinic. I started there on August 9th. I had actually applied for the part-time position, but ended up taking full time since that was all they had left. I was told I would get benefits after three months, which I really need since we don't have any. Everything went great the first week...the job isn't hard at all and the nurse they had train me is a wonderful woman. We get along great and I finally felt good about a job. She has only been there three months herself. I should have known it had to be too good to be true:( After the first week the air conditioning went out in the part of the building we are in. We are shut in this room with no ventilation. It is close to 100 degrees outside so I am sure you can imagine what it has been like in this room. I literally became physically ill last week and couldn't even go to my class after I got off work one day. I told the supervisor repeatedly that I could not work like this... the heat was just unbearable. She said she called someone on Thursday of last week, but a part had to be ordered.. they supposedly came on on Monday of this week (after we nurses had left).. and yesterday we finally had air for the first time in days.. Then today the unit was frozen right back up again and the room smouldering. ( um.. frankly I think all they did was cut the unit off overnight and let it thaw out and it lasted yesterday until it froze up again.. I don't think anyone has even checked it)..The supervisor is now out of town for a week so I am sure nothing will be done:( Then to make things even worse. I finally got a look at the "benefits" rates.... OMG they want $840 a month for my spouse and I!!! There is no way I can afford this. My god I had expected to pay a reasonable rate but sheesh.... So.... not sure what to do now. I am beginning to think someone is trying to tell me something and that I should give up on being a nurse! This is the third job I have tried:( I hope everyone has a great evening!