lissa6800

I guess that is what my real issue is... What to expect. Here in my small area there is a HUGE difference between LPN and RN. I actually went on an interview in a clinic and when I asked what made this position an RN position from an LPN I was told that their policy is no LPNs can remove sutures or staples. This is because an RN has to assess the surgical wound. Well as an LPN in surgical clinics for many many years I have done both! So, I guess, I am just in a funk and really need to just go out and just go for it! I am now going to work in a hospital doing something I have never done before so maybe getting out of my old environment will be a fresh start for me. At least that is what I am hoping for.

Thanks. You may be right. I had not really ever intended on going back for RN but circumstances being what they were at the time it was best for me to do this. And like I said I am glad I did now. At the same time I finished school I had to leave a job of 5 years that I loved because the doctor I worked with left and they did not have a replacement for him. So, I was essentially forced to go another direction. I hope this new position in a field that I love (ORTHO) will be a good fit for me and I will not feel like I need to change my whole career avenue.

I became an LPN in 1998. Just one year ago I graduated Excelsior and passed my NCLEX. This should be a great thing and open many doors and opportunities. But I am finding myself stuck in a rut and it seems like I cant "find myself" now as an RN. I have struggled with jobs this year. As I look back at the jobs that I have had seem to be the same line of work as I was doing as an LPN. This past year I have had 2 different RN jobs and prior to that I had only 2 jobs in the past 9 years as an LPN. I have been a clinic nurse for a very long time. It seems that I have veered toward RN positions in clinics also but they don't seem to be for me. It has been a tough transition for me. I really do feel like maybe I made a mistake going back for my RN after that long. I do not regret it at all, don't get me wrong. I just can't seem to get out of the LPN mind frame. I do not feel like an RN yet. I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar feeling after LPN to RN transition. I am now going to work at a hospital on an Ortho/Urology floor. I am hoping and praying that this will help me to transition into this RN role that I worked so hard for. And, maybe, I am putting too much on titles. I just keep saying to myself that I didn't go to school and work so hard just to have the same job I did before. Also, the 2 jobs really didn't increase my pay from what I was making as an LPN. So, we will see....

I take the same one on the same day. It is my last one before FCCA and CPNE. I hope I am ready this time. I have not had good luck with this one before. Then I will also have fallen into the new FCCA format. Good luck to you. I agree, study the practice test and I also use flashcardexchcange.com It has been quite helpful for me the last 3 exams.

Over the past 18 months I have taken MANY exams at Pearson testing center. They are VERY thorough. They even check for visible tattoos (yes someone actually had answers permanently inked onto their body) and have lockers for personal items. They tell you immediately before entering into the testing room that no electronic devices can be accessed and have you place them in a small basket in the back of the locker. They do this not to punish those that do not cheat but to weed out the ones that do. I as a nurse do not want to work on a unit with someone that passed the board exam by cheating and certainly do NOT want my children, husband, father or any family member taken care of by someone that was not competent to pass an exam without cheating. This said, please take responsibility for your actions, when you talk with the CA BRN explain that yes, you did have a lapse in judgment and it will not be repeated. I am sure this will go MUCH farther with them than saying their rules dont make sense and should not apply to everyone. You really do get more files with hunny than you do vinegar. And I also agree with the posts that have stated rules will follow you everywhere in nursing. YOu can not tell an MD that you did not agree with his orders so just made a little adjustment because it suited you better. Good Luck but if this or any of the posts here offended you, go into buisness for yourself where you do get to make the rules.

First of all BREATHE! It is ok to be freaked out especially at your first job. Now, understand this, at any job where you are the "new kid" you will have assignments that will be floating in nature. The nurses with seniority will get the consistent assignments. Second, it is ok to ask for more orientation. You worked too hard to get a license to risk loosing it because of being afraid to ask for help. We all started just where you are and it will get better. When I am training a new nurse or aide or whoever I always ask that they get a notebook and keep it with them every day. The first thing you need to write is the duties that are the same every day, narcotic count, bed check, med pass, charting, and make you a schedule from the time your shift starts till it ends as to what you need to accomplish and when you need it to be accomplished Then as you go add to it. When something comes up new write it down. With the load of patients you have on your assignments you can not be expected to know and remember everything. Also, most nursing homes have a policy of keeping a picture of the resident in the chart and with the MAR. If yours does not maybe suggest this to your DON. And use your aides. Most in long term care have been there for a while and can and will point out to you who they are. Hope this helps, and if you still do not like the job it is ok. Not everyone is cut out for the same fields. Just make sure not to "burn bridges". Leave with plenty of notice and a clear explination of why you are chosing to leave.

Maybe that is what they meant as an initial licensure but before instated with EC I called and spoke with someone over education at the BON and was old they accept the ASN but not the BSN from EC. I was only interested in ASN at the time so isn't question it further.

My state BON does not accept the EC BSN program. They do accept the ASN which makes no sense if they accept one why not the other? So that is the reason I will not be moving forward with them after ASN. And I really like the set-up too. But most of all the support from other sstudents.

I am getting back up on my proverbial horse and at the studying again after a miserable fail on LS1. Going to go on to Health Differences while I wait to retake. On Wednesday I felt like I was finished, washed up, out the door...but I feel now I can actually get back at it and maybe this will be my motivation to continue on. I have not come this far (7gen ed and 4 nsg theory along with Info Lit) to just quit and bury my head in the sand. So Happy Studying to all! One day soon I will be in the NCLEX PASSED group!!!

Here in SE Arkansas we have nursing homes that will provide CNA training for free if you will agree to work for them for a period of time. Check with local hospitals or with local nursing homes. Good Luck!! That is how I started out 17 years ago and now I am almost done with my ASN-RN

I have completed all needed general ed exams and 4 of the nursing ones. I have 4 to go before I am FCCA and CPNE eligable! It is tough at times to stay motivated but it is very do-able!

Today I took, and failed miserably:crying2:, LS1. I know I am not the first (or last) to fail an exam but this has hit me like a ton of bricks. When taking the exam, I felt like I knew the information well. Got to the desk and looked at my score and felt like it must have been a scoring error. Now that I have had time to grieve and recover, My question is this, When studying the content guide and reading all the required material what other study matierials have you found to be helpful? I have used Lisa Arends for Micro and SG101 for another gen ed exam but thought that I had a better understanding just reading the material out of the texts. I am NOT a good test taker, I rush, second guess, and have had to train myself not to fall into these habits. Any advice would be helpful! (I am also posting this on antoher site sorry if it is a repeat for you. I really do need help to feel like I am back on track)

Our ortho unit implemented this about a year ago but being a regional hospital in a rural area we were not able to utilize it the way it was intended. Just Joints is the name of ours but it has ended up being larger "suite" type rooms as we have to share the therapists with the rest of the hospital. It is an awesome idea and would work well for the elective patients that can prepare to be in the hospital and participate in the rehab. We do still have once a week "pre-op" meetings with patient and coach for instructions and what to expect. I wish you all well with your joint centers.

I am from Southeast AR and am doing the EC program. Just finished my Gen Ed requirements and am starting now the nursing theory exams. I am an LPN for an Ortho Surgeons clinic. LOVE my job but my doc is retiring at the end of the year and not many options for an LPN so after 13 years I am making a cahnge and moving onward and upward!

I am an LPN and work in a very busy orhto clinic. We have 3 surgeons and 2 have LPNs as their nurses and one has a medical assistant as their main helper. We do everything from phone calls, scheduling surgery, applying cast and splints and setting up pts for joint injections. We also visit patients in the hospital post op and change dressings, discuss post op instructions and set up home health (all of this is done as part of the physicians care - it is all hospital approved and we are credentialed to do so). I worked in an OB/GYN clinic prior to this job and did not know the first thing about ortho. But I LOVE it now. Good Luck to your friend. She will learn and experience so much in this field.:)