Carrie_D

I've worked for some people with severe mental health issues (not nurses) before. If you truly believe that you will be fired eventually anyway, then my advice is to take a deep breath, organize your findings, take notes, and when you have a critical mass of information, etc., then push back, HARD. I think the DON is bluffing you. If the people above her are too spineless to get rid of her, as you say, then they will more than likely also turn on her, IF you present clear, overwhelming and powerful evidence. My guess (based only on what you've written) is that the people above her would love YOU to make a strong case so that they can do what they want to do - get rid of her. I would reconsider the strong position you believe the DON to be in. I think it's at least 50% talk, if not more. When I've been in this situation (and it's been several times), I considered it a lesson in how to teach people how to treat me. It was valuable knowledge, even though it was not at all fair, and was a harrowing experience each time. Sometimes, it really is a dog eat dog world. Good luck!!:loveya:

I'd like to suggest Mvelopes (www.mvelopes.com). I don't work for them or anything, I just think it's a great product. It's about $100 per year, but definitely worth it, because it is one of the very few financial programs out there geared toward "envelope budgeting." I used Microsoft Money and Quicken before, but I didn't like those products because you only see how you're doing at the end of the month - when it is too late to change things. Mvelopes allows you to gradually shift to living off of LAST MONTH'S money, instead of the current month. So, in January, everything we earn is funding the month of February. Expenses are tracked daily (the software hooks up with your bank and credit card accounts) in envelopes that are pre-funded. This is a huge benefit. For example, we have not had any car repairs this month, but we still funded our car repair envelope. Over time, when we DO have a repair, we will have the money ready. This has solved the problem for me of putting money into savings, only to have to take it out again for an expense. So that savings are truly "saved." Anyway, it takes a couple of months to get used to the envelope method of budgeting, but once you change, you'll never go back.

Thanks very much, BBFRN!

I am taking the PAX-PN exam later this month and want to attend Galen's night LPN program. Does anyone know if, as a part of the LPN program, you become IV certified? Is that something I need to do separately, or does it roll in with the program? Thank you!

This is all true. However, if the school consistently does not have a high enough percentage of students passing the NCLEX, their Board approval as a school of nursing can be revoked. You'd have to look at the rules for that specific state to see what the acceptable pass rate is. In my state, it's 85%.

I wouldn't let your school experiences sour you against nursing. I am not a nurse yet, but I think working as a nurse is probably quite different than being in school. Over the course of your career, you spend a far smaller amount of time in school than you do working. Is the problem that you can't master the material, or that the teacher is not right for you? If it's the former, then do think about whether or not you want to continue, because it's only going to get harder. If it's the latter, then I would look at this philosophically. Learning to be a nurse isn't only about the academics and clinicals. It's also about building the psychological toughness to hold your own and power through difficult interpersonal situations. See what you can learn about yourself from this teacher. I'm not saying having a bad teacher is your fault, by any means. I'm just suggesting that valuable lessons can be learned here that will serve you well if, for example, you are placed in a difficult unit on your first job but want to stick it out to get that golden year. Just a thought. Good luck to you!

I believe that an LPN license is required for the RN program, but I'm not 100% sure. If so, you would need the 120 hours in order to receive the LPN license.