calimarinewife

Well. I graduated Sept 30th, I got my Authorization to test late Nov, Tested the 2nd week of Dec then, got my results 2 weeks later. (I passed Whoo Hoo!) So over all about 3 months. But I heard if your going through this process in the Spring time it's A LOT faster because more people graduate in the spring time so they are better staffed. Good Luck!

I have to take mine tomarrow and I feel like throwing up. :/

I am due to graduate from my LVN program in 2 weeks and REALLY want to work at the VA. One of our clinical rotations was at the VA here in San Diego, but unfortunatley not all the students in the class were able to go there, so I was not able to visit that site. My husband is active duty and I would enjoy and value working with the Veterans. If anyone could give me advice on how to go about applying and also if there are any posotions that are available in the time that I graduate school, until I pass boards and get my license (volunteering, nurses aid etc.)... it would be gratly appreciated. TIA.

There's also Maric College in San Diego, they have nights and weekends also.

I am in the san diego area and I've been told to expect $15-18/hr for LVN new Grads.

I just wanted to thank everyone for all of the great info. I had no idea where to start to research this more and you all gave me some great advice. Thanks so much!

Thanks for your reply! It's nice to hear you had good experiences, b/c I have heard some not so nice things about VA hospitals, but I guess it varies everywhere, civilian hospitals included. Thanks again, Heather

I can't say that I can give you any info on this matter as I am still in school, and will be graduating in Sept for LVN/LPN. However all of our instructors highly recommend that we go straight into Med/Surg for atleast 2 years, so that we're exposed to a variety of different things and we won't lose skills we have learned through out school. From what I have read it's a little scary to think that I may be put in a situation where there isn't a strong "core team" of experienced nurses. Is there anything I can do now to better prepare myself to be a med/surg nurse. I know hands on experience is the best way to learn, but are there any med/surg specific books you could recommend or any other learning materials. Thanks!

Is anyone familiar with being a GS nurse for the government? My husband is in the Military and I've heard a little about it. Just hoping that someone who is a GS nurse had some info to share. How difficult it is to be hired? How it works with being a military spouse when your husband is tranferred, will they corilate with that? TIA

I am going to school in san diego. My husband and neighbors/friends are a great support system for me. My husband is a Marine so we are stationed 3,000 miles away from are families who leave on the east coast. 5 months into my program he left for Iraq and is still over there. My advice is to find a good childcare provider who will be flexible eith your hours, especially for your clinicals. I am in day classes but sometimes my clinicals end as late as 7:30 pm and start as early as 6:45 am. It's tough but it's definatley doable. I do still have a few hours a day to spend with my 2 year old daughter, but definatley need to spend a few hours each day hitting the books. So, just try to build up a good support system: husband, child care provider and friends and neighbors who would be willing to help you out in a jam with your kids. Good luck with everything!

Thanks! :) DO you know what the pay scale is for there? In living in SAn Diego right now, so I know it's going to be way lower than out here since there's such a big difference in the cost of living. Also, any info on places to work around the area would be great, I'm kinda nervous about how easy it's going to be to find a job since it's such a small town. TIA Heather

I'm moving to New Bern in the Fall :)

A friend of mine who I was in clinicals with, went into the pt's room to do her head to toe...well, she asked him to squeeze her finger to check his strength and he said "I Can't" When she asked him why he replies "I can't b/c I'm a Quad" ugh! She was so embarrased! So of coorifice we all rag on her and hold our fingers out for her to squeeze. lol:rotfl:

Thanks for replying, very incitful and inspiring, I will definatley look into the mother/baby/postpartum unit. Thanks again, Heather

Thanks for your reply. That's kind of what I figured. I know I will get to L&D eventually, and the journey there is bound to be educational. I'm sure it will all work out the way it is meant to. Thanks again, Heather