jballa34

Yup that's what I thought as well.

Yeah, like I said in my first post, I'm looking to move from my current position at a rehab facility to an emergency dept. once I attain my RN (within the next 12 months). I'm not sure how I would achieve those certificates via an RN program though. It is my understanding that certifications are outside of standard licensing that I would be awarded by graduating and taking the NCLEX-RN.

I just was hired at a SNF/Rehab facility for my first job as an LPN. I'm going to be starting an online LPN-RN step up program within the next few months (once I get settled in the new job). I'm interested in attaining some certifications such as ACLS, wound care, trauma care, and any others that will help give me a leg up when I move on from this job with that magical year of experience everyone is looking for, and start applying for ED positions as an RN. I'm just wondering if it is worth it form me to get those certs as an LPN and if employers generally give credit to certifications attained while licensed as an LPN.

I'm currently one semester away from completing my LVN/LPN program here in California. I would like to move back up to Alaska as soon as possible and hopefully take the UAA offered LPN to AAS RN program. My current school offers a similar program, but like I said, I would rather be in Alaska. So my question is, how does the distance learning portion of the program operate? Do they have a specific number of students that they allow in regardless of the site, or do they allocate a certain number for their distance learning sites? Are a certain amount of hours required at the UAA campus or is it possible to complete the entire program stationed out of Ketchikan for example. Thanks for any insight possible!

Keep at it

For my school it takes a min. of 3 semesters of pre reqs and then 5 specialized nursing semesters

Well the actual bones aren't the problem it's the 15 ridges and grooves on EVERY bone that make it hard. I learned bone names in high school anatomy, what my professor is asking is astronomically difficult.

Thanks for the replies! It's strictly an Anatomy class, (thankfully). I'll definitely use the study tactics you mentioned. Awesome advice, I'm confident the professor is making the class out to be harder than it truly is just to see who can be weeded out early. Hopefully I'm right, no doubt it will be hard however. Thanks again!

So I finished my first semester of college pre reqs to apply for the nursing program at my school. On my plate this semester is Anatomy. It's consists of 2 classes a week from 6 to 10 at night. I don't know if all Anatomy classes are like this but it seems like you have to have a photographic memory to remember all the parts of the human skeleton. I'm doubtful that i will retain any of this knowledge past test time. It seems like so much to remember I'm just cramming and it's the first week! Hopefully the entire semester won't be like this but I'm not hopeful. So my question is, how do I get through this class with a passing grade and how much do you remember of your anatomy class. I'm a good student, last semester I earned a 3.7 while playing basketball for my school and the first 4 weeks of this semester are during the tail end of the season. Study habits are not a problem I just want to know how much I need to retain and if I should bump up my study time. As it is now I'm probably studying 2 hours a day, 6 days a week. Any advice as to how to survive will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!

Again, thank you for everything you have done for me! I feel that without your advice and insight I would be blindly walking through my schooling without purpose. Your encouragement and kind words have given me enlightenment into my potential future. I am now motivated to pursue nursing as my career and the relief and peace of mind is incredible. I thank you for all of your time, wisdom, and selflessness in my situation. I cannot express my appreciation enough! As for my thought process, grammar, and writing skills; I owe that entirely to my parent's who happen to be teachers. I hope I can one day be as helpful to a lost soul as you were to this lost soul! If you're ever looking for an Alaska fishing adventure in about 7 years, please don't hesitate to give me a shout!

I agree they could have re-worded their post to be more helpful, however, my response was solely to poke fun. I was in no way deterred or upset by this person's opinion especially since I ASKED for everyone's opinion. I just wanted to let the person know that I heard what they had to say and I didn't agree. By the way I'm very capable of handling situations, and over time I will adapt to handle even the worst situations in nursing school and on the nursing floor just as I have through every stage in my life so far.

Thanks for all the information and advice canesdukegirl! At this point I'm leaning towards playing this one year of basketball and then going into the nursing program. I love the sport but I'm in school for a reason and that's to get an education and prepare for my future. Truly, I believe that being a nurse is what I am supposed to do and settling for anything else would be a huge mistake. The hardest part of all of this is I have to decide all of this next week when classes open up for the second semester. I have the option to either complete the nursing pre reqs or start my pre reqs to transfer to a 4 year university. My parents think that I should do what makes me happy so they are a whole lot of help. LOL! My parents are about 7 years away from retirement and they would like to run a small fishing business in Alaska. It's my goal to be able to work as a nurse and also work as a guide in their business. Hopefully I can gain the experience needed to become a traveling nurse in the time that it takes for their retirement. One last thing; as a traveling nurse are you under contract by more then one hospital or are you on your own as far as finding where you will work when you would like to move? Basically what I'm asking is if traveling nurses have to move from hospital to hospital constantly or can they work for 2 hospital's their entire career. Also you mentioned you are an OR nurse, if you had to go back to school all over again, is this the type of nurse you would choose? What type of education is needed to become an OR nurse? What would be your recommendation as to what type of nurse I should become. I understand the choice is mine and certain fields appeal to some people more then others, however I would like a veterans opinion. Thanks!!!

Yes, thank you for blessing my post with your all knowing powers, oh mystic mind reader. I had no idea that your magic could reach over the far expanses of the internet! I now feel compelled to do EXACTLY what you say, especially after that remarkable comment. So thank you for forewarning me of my immaturity. Much appreciated!

Yes but I wanted to add a new concept to my question and expand the likelihood of a fulfilling answer.

Okay so I'm a student at a junior college and playing basketball at the same time. I'm working on my pre reqs to enter into the school's nursing program. The problem is I cannot play basketball and be in the nursing program at the same time so I would have to choose between the two. I talked to a school councilor and she said that if I was set on playing basketball then maybe I should spend my two years at this school and then transfer and work on becoming a physicians assistant. I'm fairly set on working in the medical field and an RN really appeals to me because of the flexible schedule I could have as a traveling nurse. It's been my dream to work as an RN in the winters and then in the summers work as a fishing guide. I've heard of people being able to do that in certain situations but how realistic do you think that is really? Also if anyone has any information on whether or not a PA would have the same flexibility in schedule then that would be much appreciated. If you have a suggestion or any advice I would love to hear it! Thanks!