sgherzi4

Ms. Mig; Who are you that I know you? Where are you located?

Hi all; About how long can one expect an elderly person to survive on HD; he began treatments 7 yrs ago when he was 80. Now he is experiencing pain during txs; begging not to be sent to the tx center and has mental confusion along with severe gait issues and weakness; recently experienced a TIA. I know you are all "seasoned" dialysis nurses. Thank you!:redbeathe

Yep; I DO agree with you; it is just so difficult breaking down those hug, high walls that seems to keep up where we are! I that MOST of the nursing programs here in CA will NOT take science credits from online classes...duh...even those they are not listed on a transcript as such. I am very close to just throwing in the towel; enjoying my life as it is; taking vacations and not worrying about school until such time as I have the funds and the time off to physically attend as these nursing schools dictate. I also hear it is almost impossible to attend a nursing program while having to work full time as we need to do.:angryfire

It seems that CA Board of Nursing is a real pain in the b*tt...one would think :hey - we have a nursing shortage; lets make it easier for those LVNs (whom we don't like anyway) to become "Real Nurses"; but NOOOO - they want to make it HARDER than every to accomplish this. I, too, have to work FULL TIME minimum of 60 hours a pay period (5 twelve hour shifts every two weeks) in order to keep benefits for myself and my family...maybe just easier to remain as an LVN; I make $30/hr where I work...prob. won't make much more as an RN after all the time and $$$$ I would invest...

Hi all' THANKS to caliotter3 for her priceless advice! I had an appointment tomorrow AM with a rep. (AKA salesman) from TCN..now going to cancel that appointment. I am going to just register with ISU on my own and test out without using TCN's pricey stuff. BTW..no clinical sites here in CA anyways, other than up north - Stockton - which is a 5-6 hr. drive for me as I live in the mountains above Bakersfield. I am just going to do enough of the gen. ed subjects to get me into a local college's ADN RN program; since in CA you are not compensated for having a BSN vs ADN degree anyway.

Hi; Maybe some can enlighten me a bit; where in California can I do clinicals? I searched on the ISU website but only find facilities OUTSIDE on CA - mostly in Indiana. I guess I might have to call and find out; but nothing even remotely close to where I live - which is near Bakersfield.

Are any of you out there past or recent graduates from the LVN program @ North Valley Occupational Center, Mission Hills CA? I graduated in 1981 and it was a wonderful training program. I had such great experiences and have worked in just about every avenue of nursing. Never have gone back for my RN though, because I am satisfied with who I am and what I have done and am doing at this present time. Would be nice to hear from any of you...

Hi all; I am a graduate of North Valley Occupation Center's LVN program back in 1981 and it was a TERRIFIC program. We trained in everythhing - from Central Supply learning how to make sterile packs for surgery to actually observing a patient in the OR to Labor and Delivery and ER. I very tough program but what a wonderfu learning experience. Probably the most inexpensive of all the "private" LVN school in the LA area. Good luck!

Yes, my adult education school in Los Angeles had that mandate when I graduated many years ago. I was, in fact, very very proud to wear that white dress uniform, shoes and my nursing school cap! It was one of the proudest days of my life. My parents attended and were ecstatic! In fact, my dad, being a pastor said the closing prayer and it was all so beautiful. Be happy, wear what you must and above all else, BE PROUD of this day and look to the future.

Hey... You have to decided what you REALLY, REALLY want out of your career and then go for it. There were always be sacrifices along the way (don't I know this) either financial or personal - such as family stuff. For me, NOT getting my RN has not been that big of an issue..I tend to believe that you are what you are...you "prove" yourself no matter whether you are an LPN or RN and the respect you earn far surpasses any and all time spent in nursing schools! Not to mention the personal satisfaction!!! I have learned this along the way...

Hi... Graduated 1981 from LA City Schools/ LVN program and have been working ever since. I live in a remote area - about one hour away from any community colleges where the RN program is offered. I have been commended on my nursing knowledge and skills...but because of my living situation I am kinda depressed knowing that I will probably never attain my RN status. I have had to be content with my LVN and doing that very best I can for our profession.

I LOVED working @ VPH as an LVN - worked there in ALL med/surg/ICU areas for over 10 years and was treated VERY well; respected and commended for my level of nursing care. Even though I have been gone many years from VPH I still miss it and the many friendships I made while working there. You will enjoy it and the people...learn all you can and pick the brains of other nurses...they are all willing to help you!!! I miss it!!!

Go to the California Department of Corrections online; there is an online application and easy "test" for you to take...but beware...watch and guard your new license very carefully...I used to work in one of the prisons as an agency LVN and was paid very, very well...but saw many infractions; and witnessed many other LVNs and RNs being "walked off" the prison grounds for such things as over familiarization with inmates; also medication errors, etc. The benefits are great...but one also has to work FIVE days a week eight hours/day...too much for me - I am too used to the 12 hours shifts with my FOUR wonderful days off every week!!! Good luck!!!

Hey mama; Have only ONE word for you...PENS...and lots of them! If the hospital you are going to be working at is NOT computer based then you will bo doing lots of documentation. I cannot tell you how many pens I go through in a years' time. We are not doing computer charting (a small hospital up in the mountains) and I do so much documentation during my shifts and that is on a good night WITHOUT any incidents! Also, invest and spend some GOOD MONEY on the best pair of running shoes you can afford; since your feet are going to be feeling it. A podiatrist told me to buy good running shoes NOT walking shoes since they are built for foot abuse! Hope this helps!

Hey.. Responding to the question: no, I decided LOONNGG ago that I would never pursue the RN option. I wanted to be the best mom to my two sons; and like pagandeva have done just about EVERYTHING within the field of nursing; short of working in an OR. I am making right now MORE than a new grad RN and know that as an RN it would take me around 5+ years to reach the pay scale where I am presently. I am quite content; have earned a lot of respect from even RNs; and upper level management with my knowledge and skills. I believe that one has to be content where they are in their life and career. I am VERY PROUD of being an LVN and have never, ever regreted NOT getting my RN. Thanks, pagandeva, for inspiring and encouraging all of us!!!:balloons:

Thanks...pagandeva2000 for your inspiring testimony!!!! I am just like you....I chose NOT to go on for my RN...I am 52 and don't have the energy to do all that textwork; and clinicals and you KNOW the instructors will be extra hard on us "older" people...although I do not look my age at all! I am too busy with my work; my teenagers and MY LIFE! I know that going back to school for my RN would just add MAXIMUM stress to my already busy life with NO time for me or anyone or anything else. I have researched salaries in my area of California and find that I would not be making all that much more than I am anyway and for more responsibility???? NO THANKYOU! On top of all of this I would have to commute 50-60 miles one way just to work at a hospital with my RN; as our small local hospital only has 5 acute beds; and 19 SNF beds. Thanks so much for your encouraging words..we are all nurses and need to work together as such. The nursing shortage is real and in dire need of good, intelligent RNs and LPN/LVNs.

We experience just that same thing here where I work as a LTC/Med/Surg LVN in our small local hospital. It has happened time and again with this ONE LVN...she is constantly writing people up for small insignificant infractions; and says that management is encouraging her to do so. Well, we (LVNs, RNs, and CNAs) all wrote notes to the DON and this one LVN was pulled into the DON's office just last week. Don't know what was said but was reported to me that she came out in tears. You just have to do the best you can and ignore these who need or want to be "in power." They have a severe lack of self esteem and eventually all the "tattling" they do will come back to bite them in the behind! Don't let people like these discourage you...that is their whole intent! I am proud to be a highly skilled and trained LVN.

Hi; Can anyone please tell me what the salary ranges are for LVN in TX with 27 years experience? How is the COL as compared to Central California? We need to get our of CA...everything is way, way too expensive. Have two teenage boys and the auto insurance alone, is killing us at $4000 per year. Thanks!

Hey everyone; I couldn't find the "sticky" that I read a few nights ago about online Micro and A&P courses with Labs...anyone know of some good ones? BYU does NOT have a lab with their Micro course; I called. SJVC (San Joaquine Valley College) will not allow you to take only one course...you have to take something like Medical Assisting in order to take their Micro course. I live too far from a college to commute for these; and have to work full time. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!! Thanks...

I have been an LPN (LVN here in CA) for 25 years...entertained the thought of getting my RN...for ONLY the prestige...not a good enough reason any day! I work in a small town here in Central CA and make $27/hr night shift doing LTC and starting IVs for those RNs that can't. I also work overtime @ a local state prison and make $34/hr through a nursing agency which is so totally cool! I make big bucks and don't have to put up with a lot of stuff that the state LVNs are mandated to do; plus, if I get sick and tired of the prison environment (which I am close to right now) I can leave and just go back to my three 12 hours night shifts @ our local hospital and have FOUR glorious days off all to myself and my teenage boys. I don't need the responsibility and headache of being and RN...it would take me too long in college AND in commuting just to have those initials after my name!!! It is all about who you are and how you conduct yourself; whether and RN or LVN. I am happy where I am and do not have the stress of trying to work full time; go to school part or full time; plus do all those things that a wife/mom has to do!!! Hope this helps! :balloons:

Hey "Big B"; Have you "rolled over" to the CO yet?? If not, are you planning on becoming a state LVN? They offered me a job but I cannot take it for such low pay..after benefits and taxes, and union dues it figures out to be around $2500/month which is somewhere in the neightborhood of $16.25/hr...ridiculous salary for all that is mandated for a state LVN to do!!!!:angryfire

Hi; How does one get an LPN license in New Jersey? I cannot find out anything on the web page for the nursing board back there. I would like to see if I can obtain one by endorsement but since I took my state board here in California back in 1981 I am not certain if I can do this. Anyone out there that can help...please reply! Thanks!!:balloons:

LVN Wage Hi.... I have been an LVN for 25 years and currently work in a State Prison where I make $34/hr through a nursing agency. Have been there since Jan. of this year.

Hi...Move to CA. Salaries are much higher here. I make $23/hour as an LVN.

Hi Waves; I have been an LVN for 25 years and just now @ the ripe 'ol age of 49 (almost!) am thinking about going back for my RN. Lack of respect and poor pay are the main reasons. Once you have some experience as an LVN you can get into some RN programs a bit easier. By the way, what hospitals in No. CA are "helping the LVN's ro become RN's?". I live and work in Tehachapi, CA