Sandcastles

Hi there! Yes, we do...all the time.

Hi Kendra, I believe you couldn't send a message because if I remember correctly I think you have to post a certain number of posts or reply to posts for the message feature to become active. ( correct me if I am wrong, something along those lines.) Excelsior College is an excellent choice for your RN. It allowed me to complete my RN degree on my own time and continue to work full time at the hospital. You may be able to double up with prereqs but the nursing portion I do NOT recommend doubling up if you are currently working as the courses are rigorous. The instructors are excellent and very supportive. They want you to succeed. The clinical was similar to that of when we were in LPN school. We were on a med surg unit. We got to see new things, learn and some things the instructors observed us doing and graded us on it, example would be surg wound care, hanging a piggy back etc. Of course it was stressful but not unbearable. I had fantastic instructors and they were always in touch and supportive. They push you to make you better. They challenge you and your critical thinking skills must be up to par. Clinicals was TWO weekends towards the end of the program and you get to choose your preferred weekend ahead of time. You aren't guaranteed to get your selection but they work with you. I'm now halfway through my BSN with Excelsior. I continued on with them because of the superior experience I feel I had. I think the best thing to do would be to apply to the program and the school can let you know what you need left to complete your goal. I wish you success going forward. ? Any other questions feel free to ask. Kind Regards, Elizabeth

I am a current BSN student at Excelsior.

It's been a while for this post but I figured I'd answer in case anyone was still looking for answers. I was part of the first Excelsior ADN class to do clinicals in Albany NY. If you have any questions please let me know. I'd be happy to answer.

This is very discouraging:eek: I am currently doing my pre-reqs then was going to apply for Excelsior.Well that was my plan.now what? I guess I will continue to do my pre-reqs and pray that a resolution will be made.

This is the norm in LTC sadly.I work 11-7 and I have 30 patients each night with half of them being subacute post op from surgeries so Im popping them painpills all night,along with Gtube boluses,accuchecks,meds,treatments,oh and charting on all the medicare residents which last night was 18 plus anyone on ABT or incident,Day 1,2 and 3 admit.You know the drill.Its alot.I just try and hang tough.Jobs are scare out there.

Get this.We got 50$ gift cards to Walmart also,then everyone noticed 50$ was taken out of our check on their paystub.Well what they did was tax us on the 50$ giftcards!! They pulled the 50$ out then put it back in but it was taxed.Can never get anything for free anymore:stone

Hi Lisa I am currently doing my CLEP exams for Excelsior as well.I was told by them (and also received an email) that we can CLEP the Humanities exam which is worth 6 credits.I plan to take this exam next.I hope this helps.:sstrs: Best of luck to you!

Bath and Body carries a mositurizing antibacterial cream in assorted scents.I love their stuff.It may be helpful to you.Good luck as I think all nurses have this problem. www.bathandbodyworks.com

I have nso.It covers the important stuff.You may want to check them out. http://www.nso.com

Ughhh tell me about it.Last night I could barely chart (there was no room)as the nurses station was filled with boxed chocolates,candy,cakes ect.The junk food is taking over! I have been trying to watch my weight and sadly this wasnt helping.I would love some tips,feedback.......

My job is similar to yours.I used to work 3-11 and was referred to as the charge nurse down my hall.I now work 11-7 for the past 5 months and am considered the nursing supervisor for my wing.I found this out when I went to pick up insurance papers and my title was night nursing supervisior.I thought to my self hmmm Im not getting supervisor pay am I??? I asked the payroll gal and she said because there are only 4 nurses at night and no night supervisior you each take over that role at night time.But yes it does mean you are responsible for all that goes on down your hall while your on duty.It is normal to be in charge of falls,incidents,appts ect for your hall.For instance this am I had 3 of my patients have appts ,so I had to make sure the CNAs got them up early.Ordered them an early breakfast tray and prepared their paperwork to be ready to go with them.So in a nutshell you are basically responsible for anything that goes on with your residents while you are on duty.If you have a unit manager and she helps awesome but if not its on you.You will get used to it and adjust.Best of luck to you.From one charge nurse to another

I suppose this could and can happens.Reminds me of an episode of Army Wives where Denise (a nurse) had an affair with one of the patients -a wounded soldier and the hospital fired her.

You should totally get your CNA! CNAs usually make the best nurses.Can you tell I was one for 7 yrs before I became a nurse:D:D:D

I have no advice but can totally relate.I work at a place where we NEVER have supplies to do our job properly.But yet we need to sign the Tars we used this this and this when we basically scrap together whatever we can find!! Its fustrating believe me I know.Also cattiness is at EVERY job you will ever work at.Especially nursing because it is mostly females.I know for my own self I just try to keep in mind Im there for the patients and its not their fault I dont have supplies or someone is gossiping about me ect.I just try and remain postive which I know can be hard if your working with some Debbie downers at times.....

Hi there:specs: I had this surgery done 5 yrs ago when I thought I was having a heart attack.It was so painful I went to the emergency rm and found out I had gall stones.They operated a few hrs later.I have had no ill effect and my recovery was really quick just a few bandaids.The only effects I have from it today are if I eat out it runs thru me sometimes if its high in fat.Other than that no issues.You will be fine and it really is no big deal.I will pray for your nerves and a speedy recovery.:redbeathePLease do not worry.It will all be ok.If you have any specific questions please feel free to message me.Best of luck for a speedy recovery!

I am an LPN in Central FL and when I left agency to find a staff job 8 months ago the picking were slim.Mind you I have 7 yrs experience,some of it hospital. keep your head up and keep looking.A nursing home will be your best bet.Agency is ok but it wont give you steady hrs,hence why I left the agency scene.I couldnt survive that way. I will say a prayer for you.I can surely relate....best wishes on your search

I absolutely love your story!! You are very inspiring.I believe you will be an asset to your patients and to the nursing field in general.I wish you the best of luck.Please keep us posted on your endeavors:yeah:God bless you! I will remember you in prayer as you continue on your journey...

Sounds like you are on the right track with everything:D The thing that helps me most is prioritising,organizing everything in your life.So you have the time and energy for whats important like your kids.Being organized takes work but in the long run helps things run more smoothly when your trying to manage the house,bills,school,your kiddos all their activities ect.There will be times you are tired and overwelmed but dont forget to take care of you! It can be done.I currently work full time nights,manage my own home,homeschool my kiddo,run her to all her activities and somewhere in between all the maddness find time to study .Set goals for yourself and you will reach them.From one single mom to another I wish you the best of luck:redbeathe

Hi Susan I usually do not post personal info but want to encourage you on your journey.I had my daughter at 19 and went to school to become an LPN.I also worked full time as a CNA as well.I have been an LPN for the last almost 8 yrs.I went to school when my daughter was about your sons age.It can be done,I am proof.With hard work and determination you can suceed.I thank God everyday that I did go to school as we live comfortably.I am by no means rich lol but I can provide for my daughter and myself which is a good feeling.If I can be of any assistance let me know,Good luck in your journey!:redpinkhe

Thank you LunahRN for your always informative and helpful posts.They always help me,as someone is always asking a similar question to what I want to know;).I am currently doing my pre-reqs and in the midst of deciding wether when Im done if I will be applying to EC or ISU.Im still researching both.Not sure what will be the best route for me. I wanted to add I am doing Life Span currently and got a textbook off www.paperbackswap.com Those looking for books may want to join there.Its free to join and when you list books you get credits for free books.Even if you have no books to list ,any book on the site is only 3.50 and that includes shipping,you just buy the book credits.Cheaper than Amazon and Ebay.They add tons of new books everyday.... Good luck to you all!

At my job we do it every sunday night 11-7.We change the 02 tubing,neb,and 02 humidifiers every week and O2 filters once a month.I know because I usually have to do it on my weekend on

Hi there I spoke to someone directly from the college yesterday and was told I do not have to use them.I asked if it was mandatory and she told me no.They do have a partnership with them but we dont have to go through them to do the program.I am currently doing Phase 1 myself.I recieved an email from the college yesterday with the steps to complete the degree.I had emailed them a few weeks back and it took them awhile to get back with me.Hence my post on the DL board .Was trying to see if anyone could help me sooner.Now I have all the info I need.I am Clepping as much of the pre-reqs as I can and then I am taking I think 2 of them online at the local college,then I should be ready to roll.I hope this can be of some help.........Wish I could post the emails they sent me to be more helpful but they are full of attachments......

Hi there! I have been an LPN for the past 7 yrs and want to persue my RN via distance learning.I am very interested in ISU LPN to RN route.Can anyone tell me what 10 classes/pre-requisites need to be done before applying and which ones I can CLEP?? I guess Im looking for a "simple" breakdown from anyone that is on their way in the program or has gone through it.The website that ISU has up is confusing ,I cant figure it out.I have emailed ISU and am waiting for a reply.I got an email saying it may take 1-2 weeks for a reply as they are backed up,so I came here hoping someone could help me:cool:.Havent gotten anywhere by calling either,they keep directing me to a Kim and I have to leave a message.Until then I am here studying my CLEP Human Growth and Development guide .Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.I am grateful:redbeathe

I was a CNA at 16 in NY,so it is possible.Like the poster above stated just check with you BON.Good luck to you! Elizabeth