XXWeaponX

I came to nursing from as social work back ground in case management. I decided to do my LVN "just to get my feet wet, as I waited to get into any of the few, highly impacted RN programs in my area, and ended up where I am today. Things that helped me were the many connections I had made through social services and my local public health department in my previous career. There are Case Management MSN programs you can do, or case management CE programs (I don't know how well they work or how much you learn that translates well to the field). I got my ASHS, and BSHS in Health Education and have a CATC. I started working as a peer counselor, then health educator, then counselor, and then case manager. There are probably simpler, less time intensive ways to do this. It was from these connections and references that I was recommended for this nursing position with the research company. As with anything, connections do more than anything else to advance your station. In absence of them, I would probably start cold calling research companies in your area. Look at Clinicaltrials.gov and see what is going on near you. See what Pharm companies are in your area, what universities doing research, etc. And then figure out how to get involved from there. The position that you would want to start with is called "MP"/Medical Personel, which is the designation for RNs/LVNs. You don't want to deal with RA or RC positions b/c the money is significantly less. All of those are the entry level clinical trials positions, for the most part.

If you are interested I would very much recommend the research position. I switched into research one year ago, and it was the greatest move I have ever made. I work in research with the same populations that I worked with before: primarily undeserved chemically dependent persons with mental health dx as well. I work for a nation wide clinical trials network that is part of the NIH and NIDA. I LOVE it. I feel like this is my personal true calling in nursing. I see patients 8x a day, 3 x a week. The other 2 days I do a lot of writing, a lot of charting and reporting. I will be receiving my second publication credit, and first publication credit in a peer reviewed journal shortly, and will receive another publication credit at the end of this current study. Awesome for my resume. I decided to pursue my MPH & MHA, and start the MPH/MHA dual program at DMU in January. If pursuing a career in research, this is definitely the degree to add to your nursing degree. As a nurse in research you have options of proving patient (we call them participants in research) care or strictly working a desk job. There are many ways to make research work for you! Obviously, this is not the field for everyone, but for me, it's been a perfect fit, and I recommend it to everyone uninterested in pursuing a career in bedside nursing. One more thing, LVNs have just as much upward mobility, just as much respect and authority as RNs in research, at least in the research company I work for. There is no other (at least in CA, where LVNs are treated poorly). In fact the only problem I have had as an LVN in research is that because of the great treatment and the demanding nature of the job, its left me a bit unmotivated/unable to pursue completing my RN at this time. I decided instead to finish my MPH over the next 3 years (life of this study is also 3 years, so I figure I can complete this MS and go directly into a MSN program at the study's close.) Research rocks!

Hey There: Are there any nurses credit unions, especially in the SF Bay Area of CA? Today I was looking at our (me and wife)account statements from Wells Fargo and found charges for "Excessive Use Fee: $10" for an account that I have linked to a debit card and Amazon subscription services. I have Celiac disease, and buy most of the foods that are safe and gluten free in bulk through Amazon's service. It's really affordable, and as we've used it, we've included more and more things, like diapers for our kid, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, etc. As a result, we get probably 20 charges that hit that account a month, and use it for groceries, too. Excessive use fee my butt! Additionally we were hit with a $5 fee for "Account management." So that's it, we're over it. We are wondering if there is a nurses credit union, or other recommended credit union you all can suggest for us. We'd like to have no debit card fees if possible, and on line banking. Thanks, and happy holidays.

Geriatrics less draining? Personally, working SNF was the WORST experience of my life. I never felt so depressed. I was wrecked everyday at work. Knowing that we work our whole lives to end up in such a situation, for many people with out family or loved ones to even visit, for others, their conditions were such a burden they could not remain with family, it was brutal. I became depressed working in that environment, and I had previously worked with triple diagnosis clients, HIV/CD/MH in a residential facility for years, where I never felt the same desolation, even though it was a challenging population. I think the people that can work in geriatrics are very special people, and awesome for their abilities and talents and compassion, but by no means is SNF/geriatrics easy.

I think its worth it to do the LPN job. If you are able to work, you'll learn a lot about nursing and how to be a great nurse as an LPN. You'll be better prepared for life as an RN, and you'll have made a lot of connections, which are invaluable in this economic climate.

Is that a white Schnauzer, or just the lighting in your pic making false positive for white? I have a white Schnauzer too! They are pretty cute.

This is pretty crazy! Of the proton pump inhibitors, is Protonix the only one that can cause false positives for THC?

People have been able to have terminations overturned, have been successful in court cases using the poppy seed defense, and there is validity to these cases. Over the years, improvements have been made in drug testing, which have made chances for poppy seeds tripping a person up less likely when those tests are used. However, saliva and hair testing are expensive, so most corporations stick with the good olde tymey dipstick cartridges which are much easier on the operations budget, and as a result, there still remains potential for false positives in opiates.

Not necessarily so: http://www.thecocklebur.com/criminal-law/imprisoned-for-consuming-poppy-seed-bagel

I can't walk right now either! Luckily for me, I work a desk job, and my patient interactions is with research subjects who are all ambulatory, so my time off work has been minimal. I am really empathetic to your situation. I hope you are back on your feet, literally, soon. Ive got another month and a 1/2 to go. (Broken knee/leg/ankle/torn achilles/meniscus/every ligament in my ankle.)

Check out the links I left for the OP in this thread. They may help get you started in looking at other options. Also, consider The US Public Health Corps, and consider going back to school for a MS in Healthcare Administration, a healthcare MBA, or Public Health.

Yeah, the job climate SUCKS, no matter where you are. So what I would reccomend with research is NOT applying for positions like "coordinator," for 2 reasons: the position that you want is called "MP-Medical Personnel" This is the work that is done by LVNs/RNs on research studies. This is how you get your foot in the door for jobs like "protocol director" and "project manager". Coordinator positions are really hard work, for infinitesimal money, so you don't want to get in the door like that. Here is a site of that a doctor I know from another site started: http://www.nonclinicaljobs.com/ Maybe that will be helpful for you. I definitely understand your pain- while not exactly the same, my situation is similar. I am an LVN and ridiculously grateful that I a) have a job as an LVN b) work in research at a job I enjoy and c) really want my RN & MSN, and want to go back to school, but I am terrified to walk away from my job. On one hand, I have a job, and I'm beyond fortunate, on the other hand, that job is preventing me from following my goals, and on still another hand, if I follow my goals, there's no guarantee I'll ever find work again. It's all very frustrating.

Just stay under the radar. Talk to other people who made it through her class, and find out what they did to stay out of her way and pass the class. If asking questions ****** her off or gets her irritated, don't ask questions of her. Ask questions of other nurses on the floor, of other teachers at your school, anyone that can provide you with assistance. Don't call attention to yourself, and have a good attitude, even if you're faking it. Discrimination is gross, and while you shouldn't have to take it or sit by and allow yourself to be victimized by her, if you or your classmates are being targeted because you are people of color, or new to the US, report her to school administration. Keep in mind though, this will probably create a scene and may make things more difficult. Don't go into the class with expectations of this happening. In fact, go into your class with no/low expectations, and maybe you'll come out surprised by how well things went.

Yeah, seconding this. I really want to go back to school for my MSN/RN (I'm an LVN). But I'm scared that I will leave my LVN job only to find that I can't get a job as an RN.

You are getting jobs like Flu shot nurse, and things like that. Have you considered to focus your job hunt outside of acute care? You are getting jobs, it is clicking with some interviewers, which means you'd click with others. Consider working in an medical clinic, prison, jail, or research environment instead of a hospital. Also, what about registries?

That is horrific.

I work in research, and I love it. I am not into bedside nursing at all. Check out medical research/clinical trials nursing opportunities.

Hey There- I'm taking the CHES in October of this year. On the website for NCHEC, there is a http://www.nchec.org/exam/docs/nch-mr-tab4-155.htm page which has a link where you can purchase study guides. The 2 guides cost $119 after shipping. The CHES exam cost $260. UGH. I better pass this thing! I too am really concerned about this test. I wish there was a course I could take for the exam prep. I wish I could find people who have taken the test that would respond to inquiries like yours. In fact, I logged in here today specifically so that I could post a call for past CHES people to fill me in on how to study for the exam, and what to expect. I see that's a pointless endeavor, b/c no one is answering you. Anyways, in my experience, getting this CHES cert is gonna be worth while. I already work in community health, and have my whole career, even before I was a nurse. Now I work in research in the chemical dependency field. Having certs like CHES are really useful, and look great on your resume and give you a leg up in hiring. An RN CHES is desirable when hiring a health educator. As such, you should definitely pursue this goal. I notice that Kaiser is often hiring RN Health Educators, so there's a well paying gig using all your specialties. I wish I could tell you more, but that's all I've got. Good luck.

I wanted to see if I was going to enjoy nursing, and want to keep moving forward. Additionally, nursing schools are really impacted here, so I figured I'd do my LVN, and then do a bridge program and miss out on RN wait lists and lotteries. Turns out I did enjoy nursing, but I do wish I had not bothered with my LVN, even though I have an awesome, kick ass job. It really, really ****** me off that LVN/LPNs are looked down on by RNs. We are both nurses, both sat the state boards, and are both well trained health care workers. The snobbery is pretty nasty and uncool. As for me, I am completing my BSHS in Health Education in 2 months, and then I'll be applying to MSN programs, either for NP or Nurse Case Manager. The program I am pretty sure I will end up attending offers a 2 year program in Case Management, 1 year accelerated RN, one year Case Management, or a 3 year NP, one year accelerated RN, and 2 year NP. I wouldn't have ended up where I am if I hadn't gotten my LVN first.

Well, I started working in medical research, which is what I always wanted to do. Unfortunately, that brought my nursing education to a grinding halt. I work as a nurse on a research study, so I have been ok with not moving forward atm. I have been finishing up my Health Education BS in the meantime, and plan to start a dual MPH/MHA in Spring of 2012. That should take me about 2-3 years to finish, and then my study will be finished as well. Additionally, my lvn school is adding a BSN program to their offerings, and that will start in a couple years. At that time my kid will be in 1st grade, and I can take time off to finish my RN at last. It is necessary to finish your RN for sure, it's just that the College Network and Unitek are not the best way to do it. I definitely don't think it's worth it to pay $50k for a ADN.

I am. I work in chemical dependency research on an NIH/NIDA study, as an LVN MP, with a couple other hats to wear now and then. I always wanted to work in research in my specialty, but I never thought it would be while I was an LVN. Pluses are that I love my job, but minuses are that it has slowed me down in finishing my RN. I actually will end up completing my MPH before I get my RN (which I will do in 3 years, when the study ends.) But I'm happy and not complaining.

We don't have work here in the Bay Area. We've had several hospital closures, which has lead to a back log of jobs. There isn't enough work to go around unless you are working in nonacute care environments (I am). People with acute care jobs are holding on to them tightly.

As you wait to start your RN, you can do a couple different things: One is get a AS in Psych or a related degree, like sociology or human services. You could volunteer in a psych facility as you complete your degree and wait for RN school to start. You can also do you LVN now, which is pretty good and will be a help with preparing you for your RN. Oftentimes, you can then do an LVN to RN bridge program and do your RN in just one year (ADN). That was what I did. Unfortunately, I kind of got stuck. Life takes control sometimes, and when you're working, and have kids it's hard to go back to school when there aren't many options. Now I am finishing my BSHS, and planning on applying to 3 year MSN and NP programs b/c the RN programs that are close to me are so impacted. I like working as a psych LVN though, so it's all good. I make a good living, and I have a lot of time to spend with my wife and child. Last, you could get a CNA, and start applying at psych hospitals, prisons with psych units, and similar jobs. I love this field, and it's much easier to get jobs in psych than other acute care areas, b/c not as many people are willing to work in psych.

These aren't online classes though, if you need to start from scratch, and don't have a lot of time, start doing clep testing and use the REA guides that cost around $20. Also, most jc's have online classes these days. And it is absolutely not worth it to blow off your sciences-those need to be in person, with live labs. Do one each semester and go at night.

Within 24 hours, you definitely should have have time to cancel your contract. You don't need TCN to do this. There is literally no benefit to you to continue with this scheme to separate you from your money. Here's some reviews you needed to see 24 hours ago: http://the-college-network.pissedconsumer.com/the-college-network-is-a-scam-20080630125757.html https://allnurses.com/distance-learning-nursing/whadda-u-think-136945.html http://www.complaintsboard.com/bycompany/the-college-network-a43072.html http://www.consumeraffairs.com/education/college_network.html Demand your money back and termination of the contract. I understand the situation, impacted RN programs and long wait lists and lotteries. This isn't a solution to your problem though. You won't have a different outcome from anyone else who has had this experience with TCN.