KG916

Hello!! Yes I am still working as ARN now we are 100% remote. We only have to go in for power/internet outage which is rare and maybe once a yr to get our computers updated and even then it's all paid..we get paid to drive in and drive back. Job hasn't changed much. Still answering call after call. Quality metrics are the same except now everything is done remotely..meetings with managers..training..Still enjoy it..beats being on-site or bedside.

Well this is my view..you may not agree and that's ok. Major hospitals like Kaiser are always looking at their bottom line..I've worked at Kaiser for 17yrs. .I've seen a lot of changes..nurses being replaced by non licensed personnel, being able to do Nursing tasks under a physician/license. My old dept have not hired a new RN in the 15yrs I was there. Every time a RN left/retired they hired a LVN or a medical assistant. Working as an advice nurse we follow algorithms and protocols -so more n more of us start to work from home following the above. What if and when they start offering our jobs to non-licensed personnel replacing us and hiring a couple of physicians to "overlook" them-we will not be valued and be out of jobs or even worse outsourcing our jobs..

I work at Kaiser as an advice nurse and NO you cannot work from home..but more importantly we or you should not want to. TSR (tele service reps) can and some do..but nurses are reluctant to do that and will put up a fight if this ever became an option. kaiser is one of the highest paying companies in California if we all started working from home not only does this minimize our profession but will give Kaiser the ability to outsource jobs from California..

In my training the class was split into two..there was an am group (7am-2pm) and the eve grou (2:30-9:30). It should tell you in your award letter; if not call the recruiter. .or wait til orientation day..they will let you know then!

No manager standing over you but so far I have nit had any issues. The callcenter is such driven by data lkke they keep stats on everything. .the amount of time you were logged on how long you were on break how long your lunch was and then of course the score based on quality and based on the manager's review so yes in that respect it is micromanaged but like I said I go in I sit on my desk I do my shift and go home there reallyis not very little time to socialize with your co-worker sitting right next to you because you're constantly taking a call after call after call.

Hi, I work as an advice nurse at Kaiser and I love it:cheeky:, I'm relatively new about 3months..but so far it has been great. We went through intense six weeks of training and in our group there were two people who did not make it. I was nervous about being on the floor due to all the rumors, but so far so good, if you go in on time, do your job, don't spend too much time away from your desk you will be fine. A typical 8hr shifts consists of break after the first two hours..then a lunch after two hrs and a final break..so every two hours you get a break plus you get an additional 20mins "personal" time to use however you want. The job can be challenging and very frustrating, you will get all kinds of calls from new moms with newborns..pregnancy call..adults..postop surgery pts to psych n suicidal calls. Every day is different, every call is different, you will really need to rely on your bedside exp. there are always docs/charge nurses/supervisors to assist. There is good n bad... All calls are recorded and every month your calls are listened to by the quality dept as well as your manager..these are then graded against the expectations ( you will be taught all of this in training) if you don't meet the expectations your manager will assist you either by you listening to your own call (which is really helpful) or have sit in listen to an exp nurse. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much but I was tired of working on the floor and I love it, plus the pay is $$$!!!!

Hi Everyone I just started working as an advice nurse in a call-center and I absolutely love it!! I was pretty sure that bedside nursing was not for me after a couple of years working in an ICU/MS-Tele I was looking for a way out. I was fortunate that the organization that I work at had this option. There is a lot of stigma attached to working in a callcenter as an advice nurse but I have found it so rewarding and fulfilling, giving advice on the phone to concerned patients, moms, new parents, no call is the same and it's very rewarding. Any other advice nurses? Please share your experiences. I have only started, just wondering long term advice nurses what are your thoughts?

Hi Niecy_Nurse Can u share what made you decide on WGU.. I am thinking of enrolling but I have not made up my mind whether to go to CSU CHico where I got my BSN or to go to WGU.. I m reading a lot of good and also ALOT of bad stuff about WGU..

LOL!! 3weeks.. I am sorry I really do not mean to laugh but if you read some of the posts alot of us have been looking for 3-6-9-12 months post graduation - it is not easy at all. I graduated last december but I was fortunate that I was still able to keep my job as LVN while looking for a RN job and just last week was offered a RN job- not my dream job but it's a RN position. Good Luck to you!!

I would definetly call.. I called HR and got the name of the nurse recruiter and she was plesantly surprised that I was calling to "follow up' she gave me her email address and here we are two weeks later and I was offered a job!!

I am a new grad, live in Bay Area as well, I graduated 7months ago - I was an MA then an LVN and kept my job while in school and while looking for a RN Job. I was just offered a position in a family health outpatient clinic based on my MA and LVN exp working in a clinic rather than a hospital. The manager that interviewed me said she was very interested in me because of the exp I had in a clinic setting rather than hospital. So I would take it, at least you're working with patients, building skills, working as a team player all that you can apply when you get your "dream job!"

Thank You for the advice guys! Second question - about license? Should I apply for a Texas license now and just swallow up the $$ in case something comes up in Ca (wishful thinking at this point)... Do I wait to get called for an Interview before I apply?

I graduated in Dec 11 - passed the boards in Feb 12 and here we are in May and still no job.. Ive worked at my current hospital for 15yrs and even there I am getting the same ol reply "we're not hiring new grads." I'm really reluctant to give up 15yrs of service to my hospital and start a new but by the looks of things I have no choice. I live in Northern Ca and there is absolutely no nursing shortage here.. it used to be the case if you cant find a job in N-Cal move to S-cal - well i have applied for over 300 jobs up and down the state and I have recieved callbacks and the one of the nurse recruiters asked me why I was looking for a job after working at *** for 15yrs.. I explained that I was pursuing RN opportunities and she was very honest and said "I'm reluctant to offer you a position because my gut is telling me that once you have the exp that is required for *** hospital you will be out of here." So now I do not want to wait another 5-6 months and I'm fortunate that I dont have a family to consider when relocating, its just me so I'm thinking of taking a leave of absence and moving out of state for 1-2yrs. But where oh where do I go? Where are the jobs for new grads? I was thinking of moving to Arizona/Texas/Ohio?/Oklahoma... Any advise Please?

I took the NCLEX RN this morning, getting the good pop up from PVT but waitng to hear officially. I studied from the Saunders book, the school provided us with Kaplan which in my opinion is the best prep, however the school also had an option of purchasing the Virtual ATI which I did purchase and after an intense 4-6week prep you take the ATI predictor which gives you an percentage of success on the NCLEX. I dont know if it was alot of help but I guess over-prep is better than under-prep. Good Luck to you all

I also took my NCLEX RN this morning, but wasn't as lucky as you.. 3hours and 225 questions later - I walked feeling like S***... did the PVT - I am getting the good pop up, but we will see. I sure as heck do not want to repeat the test. I had alot of sata, psych meds, psych questions...

I was a medical assistant prior to becoming an LVN- I maxed out at $24.50. Since becoming an LVN (3yrs ago) I'm making $34 with benefits and then I am per diem at an LTC and make $29 per hour( with no benefits) I'm in Sacramento.

Hi Everyone I am an LVN and I am hoping to go to a private school for the LVN-RN bridge program starting in Feb. The only thing is that after Financial Aid/subsized loan I still need to come up with $20k. I've applied at sallie mae and wells fargo but they are asking for a co-signor I just bought a house and my credit score (3months) ago was around the 750 range, so I'm not sure why I am being asked for a co-signor. The problem is I have no relatives here in Cali. My family all live out of the country. Can anyone suggest alternatives? What else can I do?

the requirements are: Human Anatomy w/Lab - 4units Physiology w/lab - 4uints Micro 4units Psych 3units Develop/Lifespan - 3uints Sociology - 3units English Comp 3uints Speech - 3units Intermediate Algebra -3units for the LVN-RN bridge, also need have a current active license/IV certified, and BLS

HI I am an LVN recieved my ASD in vocational nursing from JC, I was originally interested in doing the ISU LVN-BSN program which is 5semesters long but some of my coworkers got serious about doing the bridge program thru WCC. I went to an informational meeting yesterday and this is what I was told - The LVN-RN bridge program is 8months long, cost is $37K (without financial aid) and you must have all pre-reqs completed. The next start dat is 10/11/10. You have to pass the TEAS exam with a score of 60. For someone like me who waited 3yrs to get into JC RN program and then gave up and went to the LVN program this is the way to go. IF you go the CA BON website you can see statistics on the pass rate of WCC RN it compares well with JC college grads. JC college now requires you have 6month exp before you can apply for thier LVN-RN bridge program, whereas WCC doesnt.

I personally do not know anyone that is in the program or has started it however on this forum there is a whole section labelled ISU student and there is a few members whom are in the program and I think not sure of the sp but "chaxmom" is getting ready to graduate and she has a wealth of information since she is in the program, i would recommend talking/messaging her. The other thing that I found is just posting here your location, I met a couple of people in my area who are starting the same time as I am and hopefully will be linking with them as resources, you should try that - you never know you may meet somebody that is in your vicinity. I would definetly look around and see if there is any other option for you cause I hate to say this but $80k is alot of money, but then on the same note if you are still young and have alot of working years ahead of you then it's definetly worth it. Do keep posting on what you decide.. Take Care

Yes ISU is good in California..

I think there's alot of valuable information from everyone that posted, what I want to mention is that I am going to graduate from LVN school in about 3weeks, I went to our local JC college.. I was originally an RN major but because of the "stupid" lottery system ended up waiting 3yrs before applying for the LVN program. I currently work as a Medical Assistant - the year before i started LVN program my annual income was $47k, the program is 3semesters long, it didn't cost as much as the private schools do - however I had to go part-time - so for those of you looking at the money that you will invest think about this;- this year working part time my annual income was barely $29k that is a whooping $18k drop of income, so yeah the JC college program is not expensive but if you break it down it actually cost me $20k. I graduate in 3weeks and luckily for me I went into an agreement with my manager that once I will be done, I can work full time again, so looking at what it will cost you is scary.. but I honestly feel that it's worth the money whichever route you take especially if you have alot of working years.. and if especially if you are still young. I mentioned before that it took me 5yrs to get all my pre-reqs done, 3yrs of waiting, 1.5yrs doing the LVN and then another 3yrs to get my RN ( I will be doing the ISU program) thats alot of years - whereas had I paid like I see some my co-workers or friends they are almost done and some are even graduating from RN school this year.. So you really have to look at ALL of your options, don't worry about the money as much as getting into a good school.. and there is no price on education. Wish you all the best and good luck in making the right choice because I know it's not easy!

really?? I guess 5semesters is better than 6...

Wow.. LVN's start at $27 with full benefits $29 without benefits here in my area (Sacramento region).. nursing homes which pay less than major hospitals offer $25 with benefits. The other thing is there are NO LVN's in acute setting here in my area, apparently the CNA (california nurses association) had something to do with that and almost 99% of LVNS working for hospitals are in outpatient clinics. The RN"S start off around $48-$52 and it goes up if you apply for towards the bay area!!

Kathleen WOW, thank you so much for all that information, I think you are little ahead of me..which is great (for me anyway!!!) I am studying the mental health and then I think I will test in December. Yes, I would definetly be interested in purchasing the TEAS from you, I don't see why not. LOLZZ.. wouldn't it be great if you could really cash in the 2ASD's for a BSN!!! I'm gonna add you on to my facebook as well, this is great, what a great forum, a week or so ago, I was afraid and second-guessing my decision and being afraid of not knowing anybody...and doing the program all alone.. Now, question - Is your start date Fall 2010 as well?? I still have a question re: the length of completion, I keep on reading that people have completed it in 4semesters, which I honestly believe is totally doable... coz my advisor told me it would take 6semesters.. do you have any information?? I'm actually going to call Joelle on Monday, I had sent her an email about some of the concerns I had, and wasn't not able to get back to her on Friday. I really appreciate this.. and all the information you provided. Awesome Job!!