deb05363

Keep working your fingers to the bone! Dedication is more than 90% of what we do in LTC.

I graduated in June, took PN NCLEX in July and started working in LTC right away. I live in VT and work in NH...my commute is 20 min. The facility continues to hire new grads. I worked at a LTC facility as an aide in Vt while going to school, but they don't hire new nursing grads. When I started taking classes 2 years ago, everyone around was offering sign-on bonuses, they have not been offering them for about a year now. Many nurses that I know have been let go from facilities and hospitals because of budget cuts..It is interesting to see the results.

I just graduated from the Brattleboro site. It was challenging! I do have a hard time saying it was great right now...however when I really start working as a LPN within the next few weeks, I will know if I was prepared. I think the 1st year is the hardest anyway. I am relieved to be done with this year. It has changed me as a person only for the better as I really had to overcome a lot about myself through this program. I really hope that it makes me a good nurse.

I worked like that this summer. It is hard to work at getting people up and then also putting them to bed. However, proper spacing of your breaks and eating properly will help you get through the day. Dedication and respect for the people you are caring for is essential. An adequate trial period will get your feet wet and see if you can handle it.