Nemeth

I think you should not stop yet. You have nothing to loose, file a grievance with human resources, and petition for your job back. I would also consult an attorney you may have a case, especially if your record is otherwise good. Fight the good fight it is not just about you but about the rights and safety of patients. KIM

You better talk to some school psychologists. They from what I know are over worked having to deal with more than one school a piece in the public school system, with little support from the local board of ed's that are under funded and so scared of law suits that the psychologists hands are usually tied to help the kids who really need help. I also have been told the pay is not what it should be, I think you should do more research. Good luck KIM QUOTE=LPNtoRN]I am currently in college to become a registered nurse but tonight the teacher who teaches my psychology class has mentioned that there is a shortage of school psychologists(he is also a school psychologist and teaches a night class once a week for his own enjoyment). I did some comparing and school psychologists make more money, they get out on school breaks, they sit on their butts for a large part of the day...and from what I have seen psychology is a pretty easy subject. Which do you think would be better? Should I switch fields and get my master's degree in psychology with hopes of getting a lush job or do you think it would be better and more predictable to stick to the old ball and chain of nursing? Or could a person do both? Decisions, decisions...

It is important in palliative/hospice care to have a good working knowledge of the human body and how disease proceesses effect it. You need to be able to predict the likely course of the disease and what symptoms will likely happen. You need to make suggestions to MDs that are insightfull for creative symptom control and to stay ahead of the symptoms before they happen. A year or 2 in med/surg will be a good start. You don't know what you don't know because you don't know it, get it. This does not mean your not smart and can't learn it quickly, do a little hospital and LTC work first, then apply to a hospice in your area and see who bites. The body reacts totally differently when it is dying, then when it is healing, you need to experience this first hand in a controlled environment with support before you are in Hospice, where you are in the field alone. Most Hospice nurses are RN's and there is also palliative care and hospice certification exam that is National the CHPN, but you would not attempt the exam until you have a year or two experience in hospice/palliative care. Slow down. If you take a short cut your patients will suffer, you have the rest of your life. You need to establish short term goals that lead to your long term goal of being a hospice/palliative care nurse. Hope this helps. KIM

Call back and follow up on your applications. I find this hard to believe the nursing shortage is terrible. Fill the applications out in person, and ask to meet the DON, and put a copy of your license and Cpr card with the application and place it in her hand. Internet applications are a waste of time. Gp to the unemployment office in your town they will get you a job same day. Take any position for now it is always easy easier to get a job when you have a job.. Thanks KIM

Most community college RN programs will bridge you. I was an LPN for 11 years. I called my local community colleges that had Associate degree RN programs and they take you in as a second year student in a 2 year program, therefore you only have to complete the one year to finish your RN. However heres the catch you must complete the prerequesite classes. It took me one year part time 2 classes a semester to finish the prereqs.(3 semester year configuration). I also took every class that wasn't an NUR class that was require before I actually started the Nursing program therefore lightening my class load. This took another year. So heres the low down one year of prereq., and if you work and have kids you need to lighten your class load so you don't drown, followed by one year of all required classes that are not NURs, then one year of actual nursing school. I have kids, at the time was single, and had to work full time as I still do. Once in the nursing program fulltime monday thru friday,(same time the kids were at school) I got a job at a Nursing home as an LPN working 16 saturday and 16 sunday, (my mom took the kids on the weekends)this gave me enough money to survive, and kept me and my children in health insurance, and got me 50% tuition reimbursement. I also recommend one of the shifts in the 16s be the 11-7 shift you can read your text between call lights and med and tx passes. It helps to keep you awake and alert over nite which most supervisors don't mind, and if they do find another job where they don't, weekends are very short and DON's are desperate to cover these shifts. This gives you study time away from the kids, and I see it as a positive for your patients keeping you alert during the nite shift and increasing your knowledge. Getting the RN was well worth all the hardship. Remember what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I am starting University of Pheonix at the end of September '04 to complete my Bachelors degree on-line after being an RN for 4 years. Once past the RN level on-line classes are very good because you don't need to do any Clinicals. Hope this helps, go for it. I think this is the second time I responded to one of your threads this week. Good luck KIM:rolleyes:

I am also a hospice RN and agree that comfort at end of life is parmount. Addiction becomes a none issue. My experience has not been the patients abusing drugs, they need them, but I have had the experience of family and/or friends diverting drugs. I also have had coworkers who have diverited drugs for there own use. They were fired. Hospice is the most rewarding work I have ever done. I feel I do gods work and get paid for it. How cool is that??!!?? What I do matters in the world and makes it a better place. I am studing for the CHPN and am taking it in about a week. I am also starting classes on-line at University of Phoenix at the end of September after the test. Any feed back is appreciated. I also am married to a man who fits the your husbands description. Except mine is a Newport smoking, rock musician, who owns a Harley, and has Black Hair to the middle of his back. Amazing how many of us Angels of Mercy marry these bad bad boys. Great comment e-mail me any time you need support hospice wise or with the Hubby Nice to know you. KIM:rolleyes:

Hi I work in a hospice in Chicago, Illinois. Patients must have a terminal diagnosis of 6 months or less to be admitted this is the medicare guideline and most insurance companies guide line. Dying has many distressing s/s that need adequate pain and symptom control. Does it really matter if a patient is med seeking at this point in their care. Addiction becomes irrelevant what matters is comfort, and care. Death needs to be peaceful, meaningful, and with dignity and closure for all involved. My experience has not been with patients who seek drugs regardless of their past alcohol or drug problems. They are dying, they need them. I have seen family members and friends steal or take patient meds for the wrong reason and know of 2 RN's who have been fired for the same. Hope this helps. Thanks, KIM:)

Good luck in the hurricaine my prayers are with you. I am starting my BSN on line with U of P and am a little concerned with my lack of computer literacy. Any advice???? Thanks KIM:rolleyes:

I spoke with Ally Fuhrman the counselor at U of P and it can take any where from 1 to 2 years depending how fast you work. The semesters are 5 week s long accelarated classes you do one class at a time. You must take 7 days off between classes but can take up to 28 between classes. If you back to back them and don't take any vacations it won't take long. Thanks KIM

I researched several on-line programs, called Universities in my area to see which programs transfered to there MSN, and Nurse practioner programs. U of P is fully transferable as is Jacksonville Fla. however U of P is the most well known and gave me 60 credits in consideration for my ADN. I spoke with a Nurse Practitioner here in Chicago working at St. Joe's who graduated U of P MSN then completed here certification at Loyola U. I think U of P is your best bet everyone is doing it there. Thanks KIM:rolleyes:

THANK YOU for your reply

I have registared and start University of Pheonix on-line Associate RN to BSN at the end of September. Any one attending or in need of a study buddie please personal message me with your private e-mail address if you feel comfortable. Thanks KIM

Can you tell me anything about the reputation of University alliance I am working with a couselor named Crystal yount and diccussing Jacksonville University on-line AS A TEACHER i WONDER WHAT YOU THINK????? THANKS kim

Sorry I am not from FLA. I am from Chicago.. I am looking for information re: Jacksonville University on-line Degree completion program I though maybe you would have the scuttle being from FLA please post any thing you know Thanks kim:o