meadowsong

Danderson, I would check into some local long term care facilities also. You may have been "out" for a while but you do have 10 years of experience which is still invaluable. I reentered after about the same amount of time about 2 years ago and found it very easy to go back to nursing. Surprisingly easy. Just have a little bit of faith :) I believe you will do just fine!

Go for it! You will love it, there is a learning curve when starting out working with MR/DD. It seems no nursing school does a good job with covering this subject. I work in an ICF/MR for 2 years for about 14-15 clients. Each facility is very different and at ours staff did meds and most treatments. I did all injectables and more indepth treatments. I monitored their current health, attended appointments, devised quarterly reports, did a lot of staff education, ect ect ect. It was one of the best jobs I have had so far. Really enjoyed it :)

Many, many, many people go this route. It can't be all that bad :) I will be graduating this May with my ADN and plan on working while I continue to get my BSN. There are many different roads to take to become a nurse which is great because everyone's needs are entirely different. I think it has been a huge benefit to me to be an LPN first while working towards my RN. Same as how I believe it was in my best interest to be a NAR before I got my LPN. That little bit of real-world working experience helps you put things in perspective and your able to pick up little things here and there. I honestly do not find any of the school work that "hard", but it does take a lot of time and effort. It can be intense at times, but it is doable! Good luck!

Hahahaha, isn't that the truth!?!

My program is almost identical to what your speaking of. We have to also attend so many face-to-face days for mock labs, lecture, and testing days. One day a week clinical are very nice also, but it's like working another day lol. I work 1-3 days a week depending on how much help they need at work. I also have 4 children, so it gets difficult to work more than 2 days a week. I can do it, but I wouldn't want to do it every single week. It gets diffifult to juggle the class work, work, clinical, and family and if you stretch yourself too thin things will start to give. I would just make sure to discuss any potential issues with your employer so you have the opportunity to cut back if you need too. I think it is doable if you do it smartly!

Congratulations!! I wish you the best of luck :)

Like the above poster just mentioned, I find the sheer volume we cover very intimidating and we do it very quickly. Is the material hard? I don't think so. It. Is. Just. So. Much. For example, our first week back after winter break we have about 500 pages to cover in one week. I have always worked in health care. Before I got my LPN I was a CNA, so I felt I was adding knowledge to my base. Now going for my RN, I have been an LPN for many years so I feel I am just adding also. I have always thought this has been an advantage to me, I love nursing and health care so much. It's hard to think of it as hard lol :) Also a nursing exam is much different than an algebra test where there is only one answer. Perhaps the critical thinking is what some people find difficult? Adjusting to these types of tests may take a little bit of "practice" and retraining how your brain thinks. Which is why they make wonderful NCLEX study guides. Buy one or two. The Saunders Comprehensive Review of the NCLEX-RN is AMAZING and worth every penny. The concepts we learn, to me, are pretty "easy". In the common sense way. I don't remember everything and certain subjects are harder for me that others. Last semester I thrived with mental health, OB, and Peds. I didn't do as well in cardiology. Do I work hard for my grades? Absolutely. I read the material, review with different books, and study my notes. I spend a lot of time on it because I know it's important. But I won't say it's "hard". Don't get discouraged if your a new nursing student. I do believe it comes easier for some than others. I do believe it takes time and effort, but I do not believe it is undo-able. Good luck!

I did a 2-2 1/2 hour commute round trip during my LPN coursework. Now I only have about a 30 minute round trip commute for my RN. My clinical, however, are a 3 hour round trip. I think it's doable. Not always very much fun, but doable.

If it was offered to me, I would take it. It's very difficult in my area to get into the hospitals, so any extra help to get my foot in the door would be appreciated :) If you think you can juggle work with school, then it may be an option that would benefit you down the road.

I agree with everyone else, simply do not discuss the issue with them. It is unfortunate because as nurses they could do so much teaching with you. Try to surround yourself with positive people and focus your time and effort into your schooling instead. Good luck!

It will be different for each facility and what your job description states for overtime. I have worked at facilities that overtime wasn't given out unless you went over 40 hours a week. I worked many 12+ hours a day just to have longer weekends (worth it to me). My current facility starts overtime at anything over 8 hours a day, so I could work 9 hours straight with 1 hour overtime or split my shift and work 5 hours in the AM and 4 in the evening and get 1 hour overtime. Just depends on your facility.

Yes, the skin tone undies the way to go!

I always have and probably always will...........I have way too much laundry in the first place and am not willing to another load!

I have to agree with this. The majority of med errors I have encountered recently (missed medications, not doubled doses), come from this scenario. Either a splitting of a shift or someone taking over a cart without proper communication.

Minnesota and I have only heard "call-in". As in "We had 2 call-in's for tonight and now we are short staffed.".