NursinginProgress

Sounds to me, her vascular system started shutting down out of anxiety. Not the first time to hear or see that. If you notice someone is dehydrated or nervous or anxious, talk to the patient and have them relax. Works every time. I do blood draws for research patients in an IVIG setting. No hemolyzing on my watch! Calm and relaxed environments help veins smoothly. That or the patient went on E for blood. Teehee!

I didn't realize that there was an IVIG section here, since I live and breathe it. I started out in IVIG as an LPN in an office infusion suite setting, now I'm an IV instructor and a RN with credentials! Main things to worry are the following: Proper rate: You can't go running all patients at the same rate. Gamma globulin whether its Privigen or Gammagard to Gammaked to Bivigam, you could cause side effects such as headaches, low flank pain during or post infusion or nausea and vomiting or even a nice CVA or MI. Even if it's someone who has been getting it for years. It's based on weight and also comorbidities. Go slow or say no! IV Port Access: Please make sure the port is well flushed. 9 times out of 10, the two reasons someone has a port is because of chemotherapy or incredibly horrible vein access, so make sure you flush according to your protocol. Also, make sure it's a well sterile environment, God forbid you don't access it right and the patient ends up with an infection. Trick I use, a non sterile pair of gloves and an alcohol wipe prior to using a chloroprep kit. This allows you to feel the port and find your target without jeopardizing the sterile field. Vitals: We all know taking vitals manually can get old and annoying, sure. But in an IVIG setting, it will and can save or at least alarm you of an upcoming turn of events. If you notice their vitals are elevating or decreasing slightly, that's fine. But if the first set of vitals are low and half way in the infusion it gets even lower, put their feet up and monitor. Also, check their pupils for dilation. If it gets higher and higher, lower the rate and definitely notify the MD. Last but not least, Premeds: If a patient you've never started before tells you, "I'm a strange case, I'm allergic to everything. I this and I that and I get nauseous easily and suffer from headaches and sometimes I get diarrhea when the weather is grey and I've got 13000 other doctors that say I shouldn't get this. Don't run for the hills. Pay attention and if the md doesn't request it, be ready or at least ask why not. It's usually just Tylenol, prednisone and some sort of antihistamine taken by mouth or SoluCortef IV push. It's better to be safe than sorry. I hope this helps you guys out there in the IVIG world. Need anything just drop a line, eh?

Hey there. I received my LPN from the Academy last year. It's a fast paced program and you gotta hang in there. I am in the LPN to RN bridge program at the Academy and it's tough but there's a lot of resources. Not sure about Keiser. Good luck!

Did the gen Ed classes. Not bad. Started the core class already, very fast paced and you have to know your P's and Q's. Good luck!

If you don't understand the class, textbook or teacher, google, bing or YouTube it. In today's techno world, resources are just a click or tap away. Good Luck and Happy Nursing!

Being nice is one thing, but exchanging numbers is borderline personal. Something to which as a student you shouldn't do. Although, your previous experience was innocent, not all stories end up that great. I knew a nurse in NC, that was very nice and friendly to people, to the point she ended up getting harassed and stalked. Be careful. Usually, I thank the patient for the kind words and tell them that unfortunately we are not allowed to disclose information like that and it's against policy. Good luck out there and stay safe.

I am currently in sunny West Palm Beach, Florida. I've moved all over the place for nursing. California was overcrowded and wait lists out the wazoo, I did score my CNA though. Thought about the online route, but California doesn't accept online nurses, apparently. The program I am in is at the Academy for Nursing. It's a year and about 15-16k, but if you apply for student loans and pell grants, cut it in half and that's about how much you'll pay out in loans. So far, the program is pretty decent. Parking stinks and traffic sucks, then again you're in the city LOL. Good luck!

Social life? What's that? LOL Social life for me is waving at a fellow nursing student and asking they are leaving so I can take their parking spot. LOL

Theres a few reasons to be a LPN.I decided for me, to take each step at a time in case possible problems occurred. You never know what will happen to you out there and how you will survive. Plus, I want to be that nurse that knows exactly what it's like to be a CNA or LPN. I've seen nurses who lucky for them went through the ADN program w/o a history, yet when they got out in the working world, they had no idea what to expect and looked down on the CNAs and LPNs and treated them like garbage. Besides, how do you really know if nursing is for you? At least, if you don't like healthcare, you'd only have wasted so much of time. Rather than go through it all and in the end be like,"Wow, this really sucks." LOL I became a CNA first, then became a LPN and now I'm doing a bridge to become a RN. Just an FYI, I could've easily gone straight through, but I chose not to. To each it's own and may the nursing light shine down upon you through your decisions.

Well. I wanted to shoot straight out of LPN school to The RN program, but the pre-requisites were that one needed to be working as a LPN and provide a letter. Took me 6 months to find a job and 2 months to start. I graduate next year in August. I was afraid that if I don't go back to school now, I'll never do it. Good luck and Happy Nursing!

Realization didn't hit until about an hour ago at 2am, that I'm officially back in Nursing school. I am currently attending a bridge program at Academy for Nursing in West Palm Beach, FL. It has been my experience with this school previously, that they OVER prepare you (I know ... you can never be OVER prepared for nursing but they did!). I stared at the syllabus of all the Med/Surg and Pharm Chapters to remember for our 1st exam tomorrow,for a good 10 minutes and thought to myself, I'm sure my Cortisol levels have increased, BP has elevated and my respirations are becoming shallow and my hair is going to look like hell tomorrow. So my question to you RN, BSN, MSN, FNP, ARNP, CRNA and every other titled person from the RN food chain is. How did you do it? Mentally? Physically? Spiritually? ..survive this? Any guiding words or motivational quotes would be "PERFECT!" So that I can relay the message to my classmates and shine a little light. I appreciate your time reading this as procrastination for studying is lurking behind me. LOL!

Well, prior to becoming a LPN and able to afford anything, I went to Walmart and purchased these tred-safe nursing shoes for 15.00. They were so comfortable and I could dance in Crisco and wouldn't slip and fall and easy to clean. Once I became a LPN, I purchased the infamous Danskos in Patent Leather (oh..so..shiny..) at our local Uniform store. So, I totally understand the need for comfort, style, and budget for the survival of nursing school and the career itself. Good luck, stay happy and keep nursing! ^_^

Well, right now, I am working Fri, Sat, and Sun 3-11pm shift as a LPN in a facility thats like a box of chocolates, never know what you're going to get. Since I am going to school Mon - Thur.it was tough adjusting to the massive paycheck change, but it's only temporary for something better! So, Bring on the admissions!?!?! Who cares about Saturdays off? Doesnt matter if you know what day it is anymore?!?Woooooot!?! (Gotta keep motivating myself here. LOL)

Patient, 72 y/o female, alert and almost and I thought was oriented (har har), wound dressing from left antecubital to palm area due to laceration of unknown, in tact, no drainage or blood to note at this time. (Stay with me now)Go in, take report, introduce myself, she asks what time I'd see her, said I'd come around 4pm since 5 o clock meds would be due, pt states fine, no complaint. Exactly 4:03pm, call light issued, dressing is half way off, blood everywhere. Immediately cleaned with NS, new dressing, tolerated medication administration w/o incidence while I was in there. (Hey, kill two birds with one stone right?) pt asks, when would I check on her again, (gut feeling kicks in...light bulbs are coming on..well in my head anyway.) I stated around 8pm. Pt states fine. No issue or complaint, 7:59pm I stand outside her room where she couldn't see me because something just wasn't right anymore. 8:00pm hits, pt looks at the clock, looks at her cellphone (oh yes, this one was a savvy one), presses the call bell. (still watching her) 8:02pm, she starts squeezing the life out of her arm, pulling off the dressing and literally prying her laceration open. I immediately walked in and was ... A little unprofessional. I told her very sternly, "Oh my God, really? I saw what you did! You're opening yourself up for infection! Blaaaaahhhh!?!" pt states, "you should come on time." Changed the dressing to tegaderm and never gave her an exact time after that. Came shift change, I explained everything to the 11-7 shift and the nurse and I agreed to post the sign, "Time is of an importance." outside her room, since this was a reoccuring situation. LOL

Ok, I will be honest. When you are a new grad nurse, it will be difficult to find employment in large populated cities. For example, I live in West Palm Beach, fl. Sunny, beautiful and it would appear as though everybody and their mother is a nurse. It took me 6 months to find a job, 30 minutes away. With a little bit of patience and alot of flexibility, you'll get what you want. But, to answer your question regarding, is it worth it? Yes. Is it easy? No.

In the beginning, having small children and going to school can be rough, especially for us mothers. But, you have to look towards the future and realize that the hours you have away from the ones you love, are for a good cause and it's only temporary. Think of the outcome, you'll have a degree, financial stability and a groovy title behind your name, like a superhero. I understand your concern though, I have a four year old myself. I went to school to be a CNA before he was a year, while my husband took care of him, tore me apart. Then I went back to school for my LPN, tore me apart for 13 months, and now I'm back in for the RN program and even though it kills me to walk out that door, I remind myself that I as a mother have a duty to provide for my son. It's a little sacrifice for something bigger in the long run. Good luck. Stay Strong and buckle up because it's going to be a bumpy ride worth taking! ^_^

I graduated my LPN program back in July as valedictorian, took the NCLEX PN recently and passed. There's a few things that I want to pass on to those that need the advice. * Read your materials before it is being lectured, I know it sounds hard at first but you'll get the hang of it. *purchase a NCLEX review book like the Saunders Comprehensive NCLEX PN 4th edition - It's green and whenever you go over a topic in class in the books provided, go in the review book and read over the same topic in there and WRITE IT DOWN!! Other than leave your drama at home, eat a decent breakfast, don't be late for class and of course there will be catty people in class to ignore, focus on the reason why you are in the program in the first place. You are not there to make friends, you are not there for gossip or to kiss the teachers' rear, YOU ARE THERE BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE A NURSE and no other reason why. When the chips are down and you're almost burnt out, look at yourself in the mirror and say, "THIS IS FOR ME. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION. NOW DRAG YOUR A** IN THERE AND SHOW THEM HOW IT'S DONE." Good luck, God Bless, Happy Nursing, Live Long and Prosper and May the Force Be With You.

:nurse:I've recently been told the best news that any student can receive while in nursing school. YOU HAVE PASSED ALL EXAMS, CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE GOING TO GRADUATION! For those of you that are beginning, returning or finishing your journey in nursing, I wish you all the best. So, WHO ELSE HAS GRADUATED OR WILL BE GRADUATING IN 2011?!

Hey there, not sure if a decision was made as to where to go but I am currently enrolled in the LPN program at Academy of Practical Nursing and Health Occupations off of Okeechobee blvd and Haverhill in West Palm Beach. It is a tough program and my graduation date is July 28th 2011. The tuition is a little under 20K but worth it. If you have any questions feel free to contact me and I'll give you the scoop on the ups and downs of it all.

The LPN school that I am attending (Academy of Practical Nursing off of Okeechobee Blvd here in West Palm Beach, FL) was a little over 18,000. This year its up to 19k. This includes all of your scrubs, books and whatever else they want to give you. It's apparently the only low cost program here besides Palm Beach State that is accredited and well established. However, after grants depending upon your situation you're basically looking at 8 - 9k in loans which should be the only concern IMO. Books and curriculum are all up to date, but you kind of have to teach yourself and if you have any questions the teachers ARE there to help. No pre-reqs, but I do recommend being a CNA first before going to through the LPN program (makes life easier), even though you don't have to be to get in. Good Luck Everyone! PS. Yes this is the school that was involved in the whole LPN fraudulence and was all on the news. *(LOL)* But trust me on this when I say it's a pretty decent school with 80s decor and a little unorganized but we're all human and no one is perfect.

I highly recommend going to school to get your license as a LPN. If you are living at home with parents happily, no kids, you're financially supported, a part time job just to get out of the house, and don't have much responsibility, then I recommend going the full 9 yards and head first into a RN/BSN program uninterrupted. But like the rest of us, we need to take each step to becoming a RN, slow. In life we can never foretell exactly what is going to happen tomorrow with our kids and lives and if something comes up, it's better to have a fall back plan than to have nothing at all. Be that LPN, so that while going to school to get your RN, you'll have a pretty decent paycheck and experience to boot! I've also been told that going to school to become a LPN first makes going for your RN easier. Good luck, Stay Positive and Have Fun! P.S. Age doesn't matter. What matters is the well being of the patients, your family and mainly yourself. A happy, well grounded nurse makes life easier for everyone's sake.

Hi there! I am fully aware of the case by case scenario regarding California's Board of Nursing and Excelsior. However, I am curious as to know if one were to obtain their RN licensing through Excelsior, but pursued higher learning (BSN or MSN) from a different college or university, would that be a problem or would the primary school you attended for passing the NCLEX-RN be the issue? I have made contact with the BON and no teddy bear. Currently, I have about 5 more months of fun in LPN school left and passing with flying colors. I fully intend on continuing my journey in nursing with a possible chance of obtaining my MSN *if luck and prayers work out in my favor*. I am originally from California but live in Florida and I want to explore my options beforehand so I know what obstacles or dead ends that may lie ahead. Thanks in Advance and Happy Nursing!!!!

Yeah. We all get them now and then. Like the previous poster, I too just say I passed and let it go. I don't want to throw it in anyone's face unless its a friend for fun. *lol* But if people are being catty towards you, just remember, YOU ARE NOT THERE TO MAKE FRIENDS .. YOU ARE THERE TO LEARN AND BECOME A LPN. that and NEVER EVER TIP (Take it Personal). Keep up the good work and stay happy! "To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow your own path, and don't worry about the darkness, for that is when the stars shine brightest"

5 - 10 panel Drug tests were mandatory for the LPN program I'm in down here in Florida. We also had to have a physical exam, 2 reference letters, a list of vaccines or titers and a background check as well. I guess it depends on the school.

Don't cut your hair if you don't want to. If you have long hair, you are better off putting it in a bun or making a french roll with a hair clip. The purpose of having your hair up is that your hair is one of many fomites that can spread infectious organisms and will get in the way of procedures. Just remember infection control and the safety of the patient and health care worker. Having your hair up and a clean appearance can ease the anxiety of patients or residents they may have when the word STUDENT comes into play as well. Plus, you'll look professionally faboo. Good Luck!