NOLAdLPN

I always tell people the hardest thing about nursing school is trying to get in! I got rejected twice with a good GPA and excellent TEAS score, the third time I got wait listed then finally I got in. Like all things in life sometimes I think it's all in who you know and I didn't know anyone. You have to persistent and have really good grades. It's extremely competitive out there.

I started on a Med/Surg Telemetry Unit and I think that is the best place for you to start. You get your general med surg experience with a taste of cardiology as well and it would be perfect for the goal you are trying to reach. I did 6 months on that floor and that was it. I applied to a big cardiology practice and the manager thought my résumé to be attractive since I had med surg and cardiac experience. Now I've been working here a year, we have 10 providers and have follow up clinic, lipid clinic, amiodarone clinic, Coumadin clinic, we do echo's, stress tests, abi's etc. Love cardiology and wish you the best of luck!!

I also just started Excelsior, full time LPN. I would love to share info and encouragement through this process. I'm studying for Health Safety, I know a few people who have passed the whole program and some almost there!

Hello! I live in New Orleans, La and just started studying for Health Safety, sounds like a good idea to me. I'm using study group 101 but also have tips from people who have been through the program. Let me know!

I would let them know sure I will help you but let them know, I will be right back to help you with that or see if you need anything else, I have emergency going on right now but I will be right back to check on you. Usually if you tell people there is an emergency they are understanding and when you go back say thanks for being patient and understanding. Other than that smile and always ask if there is anything else you can do before you leave the room.

Definitely a personal choice. Some people say its easier to keep going while you have the momentum in school. Personally I took a few years off before going back simply because I was always studying and didn't have much of a life outside of school and I needed a break from that.

It defiantly takes the right person to work night shifts. I have a friend who is a nurse but she's a night owl, she always stayed up at night and was late to class everyday when we were in school :) So the night shift was natural to her. I don't think I could have done it. Leaving co-workers is hard, you never know what type of new environment you might walk in to. It may be better pay or closer to home but what is your stress gonna be like? Hard choice, but I would never stay completely decided to a particular hospital, company, practice because the hard truth is, no matter how hard, long you worked for someone and dedicated yourself to them, the facility, the pts etc. that you are replaceable and that is the way they will treat you. Not that they don't appreciate you but it's just the honest truth. You have to do what's best for YOU. Good luck!

Honestly it only gets harder as time goes on. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication and studying!! When I got in to nursing school I quit my job to focus on nursing 24/7. I'm glad I did because I don't think I would have made it if not. It's possible but not easy, study study study and if you're confused ask. Don't procrastinate, work hard for your goal. Everyone is different with different study habits, but if you want it, it's achievable, the question is how bad do u want it. More than half my class failed out, but I just kept pushing myself and here I am, been a nurse for 3 years!!! You can do it!!!

Excelsior has general study guides to go off of but I hear most people use Study Guide 101 for the bulk of their study material. It's super cheap and gives you all the material and practice tests you could ever want. No need to pay college network high prices, good luck!

I live in LA, and I'm doing excelsior as well, I know several people who have done it and passed boards. It's convenient to work at your own pace, but you do have to be self motivated. There is a weekend clinical that's more like a clinical lab you have to pass at the end, good luck!

I have been an LPN for 3 years and always wanted to go back to get my RN but wanted to take a break from non stop studying. I am ready to hit the books once again and just started the excelsior program. I love working as an LPN but have realized I can do the same job and make more money doing it. You don't have to work in a hospital if you're an RN. I work in an office with 2 other LPN's and 3 RN's. There are plenty of opportunities out there for all kinds of fields weather it be offices, hospitals, home health, insurance companies, schools, nursing homes, and the list goes on and on. You should never be ashamed to be an LPN but RN's make more money so wish me luck!

Ochsner will work you to the bone with barely any pay. They start their LPN's at 13/hr plus diffs which is usually 2-4 more/hr nights/weekends. Tulane did pay pretty good but they just laid off a bunch of people, rumor is Ochsner is buying them. It's really not good that Ochsner keeps taking over everything because it gives nurses less options for type of work and pay, they are controlling the market right now, they are everywhere so what they say goes. Home Health pays pretty good if you have at least 1 year experience you can start anywhere from 19-25 an hour. Of course the best advise always is get your RN so you can do the same thing with way more pay.