dreamingkim

]I have been working as a nurse in LTC for about a year, but a few months ago I went to assisted living at the same facility. I am ok at interpreting common labs and usually know when I need to call vs fax, I always call my PT/INR values. But when I get a lab back that is more complicated I am not sure. Now that I am by myself in assisted living, I don't have another nurse to ask, I worry that I am missing something when I get say a UA showing hyaline casts. I hated labs in school, even using reference ranges now, doesn't seem to help. Anyone know what to do to help or remember? Thanks.

I also really like these pens, and no they don't bleed thru paper. They are rather expensive $4-$7 for 2 pens depending on if you get the retractable ones or not. But these pens don't go thru carbon copies, wish they did!

I graduated last year with my LPN, I have had my license for a year now. For you, you would think it would be easier d/t being RN's, but it is still tough. When I graduated I worked at one nursing home/ assisted living as an aide, but there were no nursing positions. I searched for a few months and ended up getting a job at GYH. The pay was not the best, but I needed the experience. GYH hires new grads frequently. If you want some sort of experience until you can get into your desired field, try them. I finally got a job at my other employer 6-7 months ago, and love it. I am now FT in our assisted living. I run my butt off all night, but I love my residents, have fun at work, and love the people I work with/for.

Yes, bought out by Cherokee. Maybe the sizes will finally run normally. As much as I liked Dickies, I could never understand why 2 different styles in the same size would have such a big size difference.

Bic Reaction is the best pen I have used. There is a spring in the tip, so you get continuous smooth writing. Love them.

I love this top! I don't use the chest pocket, but it has a chest pocket and 2 lower ones. It's comfy and cute. Healing Hands 2496 Karen Scrub Top Solid Scrub Tops at UniformAdvantage.com More colors on the Healing Hands website: Topic | Healing Hands

I was specifically told at a LTC facility I worked at that camo was the one thing I could not wear. Although, I do understand the reasoning.

Cherokee Body scrubs are really nice. They have a knit stretch cotton panel on each side of the tops. I just bought one of the tops and it is comfortable. I have a pair of the pants and they are one of my favorites.

I have been working in my LTC for the past 3.5 months. I have most of my residents meds memorized by heart. But I work 3rds, so it is a lot less meds to pass. It helps me to make a list of meds due along with my MAR when I am pulling the tabs in the book. It kind of works like a double check. Then you can see on the list who is done. But I always double check with the book.

I am a recently graduated LPN in northern Indiana and I have 2 jobs in LTC. At one I make $13.50/hr, plus $1 on 2nd and 3rd shift. I knew the pay was low going into it, but wanted the experience. I work in a dementia/ALZ SCU. My other job is at the LTC I have worked at as a CNA for the past year. I make $17.00/hr, plus $1.50 on 2nd and 3rd shift. I think I might also get an extra differential on weekends there as well.

As far as I know in the state of Indiana there only has to be one RN per 24 hour period. Correct me if I am wrong.

I guess I should of posted in this thread as to whether I passed or not. I did! So maybe all the SATA's do matter.

I took my NCLEX-PN today. I had 85 questions and I must of had atleast 10 SATA's, plus a bunch of priority nursing questions. I never did good at SATA questions in school. I walked out of there kinda unsure because of those questions. I am just waiting!

I would suggest trying Exam Cram. The book is really straight forward and easy to learn from. Get the book that has informational chapters, not just the questions (there are 2 different books). I took my boards today and I used mostly this and some of Saunders b/c it's what we used in school. Good Luck!

I graduated from Brown Mackie in Fort Wayne earlier this year. Certain aspects of that school, such as the financial aid department were absolute chaos most of the time. I did not like the fact that they let every single person off the street into the nursing program, I know that kinda sounds bad. But what I mean is that w/ no entrance exam a a lot of people seemed to either not want to be there or think it was easy or a blow off. I had a lot of great instructors, and some of them I would still contact. It is a quick program, but so are all LPN programs. The one thing that I think Brown Mackie has in their favor is NCLEX prep. They prepare you w/ NCLEX test labs from the first class. If anyone is wondering if they take credits, they took my A&P 1&2 and Psych 101 from Ivy Tech, but that was up to them. And yes this school is EXPENSIVE ($270ish/credit), but if that is the only choice or you can't wait it is worth it.