stargazer88

I wouldn't say anything to my employer, or write down any meds you are taking. If something shows up in your drug screen, the testing company will call you, then they will call the pharmacy to confirm that you have a valid prescription filled within the last year. If it's valid they will report a negative drug screen. The problem with telling your employer about illnesses, surgeries or meds you take is that you may find they will scrutinize your performance more than usual, they may be more critical, and you may even be marked for exit before you even make it through orientation. (of course, they will not TELL you any of this) The reason for the scrutiny is that you may be seen as more of a liability than an asset. Employers are not conerned about YOU (although they may ACT sympathetic), they are concerned with their insurance costs and legal liability. These days employers can be choosy, the nursing shortage is over. They don't want employees who may (they think) take too many sick days or even have a drug problem. Employers who require pre-employment drug screens and physicals don't want employees who take controlled substances no matter what the reason is. They are looking for healthy employees. If they were concerned with only illegal substances, they wouldn't be testing for legal, controlled, prescribed meds. Over the years I have noticed that the more pre-employment screening, testing and digging a facility does, the harder that facility turns out to be to work for. I'm not talking about the work required - the general environment of these facilities is one of mistrust. It trickles down from those who make the rules. Makes for a toxic environment. Of course, not all employers who require testing are like that, One just needs to be careful and take a good look at who you are working for. The best facility I ever worked for (stayed for several years) was the first one I ever worked for. The DNS went on her "gut feelings" about people when she hired. If you had the qualifications, if she liked you, and they had an opening, you were hired! It was a wonderful, nurturing environment, especially for new grads. I couldn't wait to go to work every day , my co-workers were like family. Didn't mean to ramble on..but I'm speaking from experience. You need to protect yourself, you don't want to be marked before you even start. If you would like to know more, feel free to send me a personal message.

:no:Do NOT discose anything you don't have to. If you can do the job you were hired for, then they don't need to know. They may not take the offer back, but they may find another way to get rid of you. Employers are not concerned about you. They are concerned about their insurance premiums, liability, etc. The fact that they require a medical exam tells me they want only the healthiest of employees. Employers like this tend to "weed out" certain people. They can fire for any reason up until the 90 day probation period ends, for any reason. They will not come out and say it's because of your chronic illness, or your previous drinking... If you read back posts on this forum, you'll get the idea I wish you well

I woud definitely go the BSN route. You already have an AA, so it would take you about the same amount of time as an ADN to finish. If I had to do it all over again, that's the route I would have taken. More opportunities, and many hospitals are starting to require it. Did you have the same instructor both times you took A&P? Maybe that was the probem. If not, you need to figure out why you didn't do well. If A&P was that hard for you, nursing school is going to be difficult for you too. That's why the A&P grade is weighed so heavily to get in to the program, you need to have a firm foundation in order to succeed.

Have you looked the US heading here at AN? You can look at your specific state. Some good information there.

One option you may want to consider - legal nurse consultant. I read about this specialty in nursing magazines. From what I've learned, there is a demand for this type of nurse

I would go the BSN route. I went ADN and if I had to do it over again would have gone the other way. It would have taken a little longer, but it would be worth it. (If you add up the time it takes for pre-reqs and co-reqs for ADN it takes 3 years or more total) Having a BSN will give you many more options career wise.

I guess I didn't really mean "burned bridges" I had a very difficult time with my preceptor. She was very critical. Had only been out of school a year, but super confident. My weakness is not standing up for myself with more authorative type personalities. I left with them thinking I wasn't a great nurse. More embarrassed than anything.

Where are the needs? Where I live, just a few miles from a nursing school, jobs are hard to come by. I would gladly relocate. Any tips??:)

What does one put on an application if your last position didn't work out? Or if you "burned bridges?" If you know you won't get the best reference from your last place of employment? Not because of any mistakes but it just wasn't a good fit?

There is a nurses in recovery place under "nurses" heading here that's good

Where would one go to find these positions?

That's interesting. Although I don't know where you could find the answer except google it? Your post got me thinking.. I came from a "normal" family. My parents did not drink or do drugs. But my mothers father was a recovering alcoholic as was her brother. I know many of us nurses have a need to help others. In my nursing class, most of the students had something in their past that made them decide on nursing as a career. Mostly, if I remember correctly, it was a history of being abused or neglected in some way during childhood. Many had marriage and self esteem issues. Have you thought about posing the question on AN asking for personal stories? I'd be interested to know

When people feel threatened, they sometimes get "defensive" She knows you have the power that could cost her her job. Have you ever thought about the way you communicate? Do you talk to people in their 40's the same as you talk to 20 somethings? Do you talk to this nurse as a peer or are you more formal? Where I work now there is a BIG communication gap between the older (paper age) vs younger (computer age) nurses. They just don't seem to see eye to eye. They don't like each other much and it shows. I also wonder why you are talking to "someone who knew her from nursing school" rather than just the manager? Where I come from, that's called gossip.

Also, she may have felt overwhelmed and needed a break. Matching her with someone closer to her own age is a good idea. I get the feeling that you don't like her much

MJB2010 Has the right idea. In my case, I did great with the preceptor who let me work and said "I'm here if you need me" Some people just don't do well when being observed knowing they are being evaluated. Might not be the case with her. Then again, it might. I don't think preceptors should be given so much power. Just my opinion

The nurse is a licensed RN with 4 years of experience! If she has bad nursing skills it will come out eventually. Why is it that many preceptors treat nurses like they are students? Is this the new way? The nurse you are talking about is probably nervous, is still learning the unit. Giver her the benefit of the doubt. I am speaking from experience (a horrible one) I started in a new hospital, was started on day shift to orient. Not only was I learning the unit, the routines, where things are located, but also the computer system. I could hardly function with the preceptor following me around, standing over me while I charted, did my assessments, and gave meds. Honestly, one time she took me to the tele monitor at the ns and asked me to interpret the rhythm in front of everyone. Of course, my mind went blank. She never gave me the chance to figure out my own system, to organize my day or check my own charting. I was so nervous knowing the opinion of the preceptor would mean the difference between job and no job. And jobs are hard to come by right now. It is very difficult to perform well under that kind of pressure and stress. You have actually seen very little of what she is capable of. She's made it 4 years she must be doing something right. Give her a chance. Wait until she's more familiar to the job. Let her skills speak for themselves over the long run. In other places I've worked, the person orienting , or "precepting" did not judge another nurses skills. It was assumed that if the person passed the boards, could call herself an RN, then she had the skills. The job of the preceptor was to guide and help her (or him) learn the unit until she was familiar enough, and fast enough to take a full patient load on her own. I think an RN deserves the respect that she has earned. A person works hard to get through school. If you pass the instructors scrutiny, and the boards, isn't that enough?

I found LPN harder, because everything was new. I worked as an LPN for a year, then bridged to RN. I didn't find RN so difficult because it was mostly just more in depth in what we already knew. If I had to do my schooling over again, I would have went the BSN route. If you add up the time it takes for pre-reqs, LPN, then RN, you could get a BSN rather than ADN in about the same amount of time. I ended up with 3 associate degrees, 2 of which are useless.

Wow! These stories are inspiring. Hope to hear more! To Not.done.yet, I'm so sorry for the loss of your son. I could just feel the pain when reading your words. A parents very worst fear is to lose a child. To outlive them. I admire you, and believe your contribution to nursing is a lasting legacy to your son. Thank you

I have read that you should only put a picture with your resume if you are applying for modeling or acting jobs.

You have to do what's best for YOU. You could always work both, one of them perdiem. Beware of getting stuck in long term care for very long. There really (in my opinion) isn't much room for growth in LTC. And later, it may be hard to get into the hospital. ER will give you much needed experience. I would grab it. That said, beware of ending up with NO job! If the nursing home calls first, I might tell them "thankyou for the offer, can I get back to you tomorrow?" I would then call the hospital kindly and ask on the status of your application.

Think about it this way, say you borrow $20,000 to get through school. Even if you are 45 now, you would still have 20 years in the workforce. As an LVN you should make at least $10 over minimum wage (minimum, or close to it is what you'd likely make with no education) That's about $19,000 more per year. Times that by 20 years. That's about $380,000 more than you would make without the education. Now, isn't that worth it?

Apply for every scholarship available. You'd be amazed how many there are and how few actually make the effort to apply! ( My son even found one for people who have relatives that ride Harleys!) The admitting office can usually give you a list of what's available. Many scholorships are small, but every bit helps! My local worksource center has a program to help pay for books and things like a stethoscope, uniforms, shoes, etc...Mine even gives out gas and grocery vouchers when things get tough during school! Whatever it takes to help you succeed. I would also contact the local service agencies like VFW, EAGLES, ELKS...They are often willing to help out a local student, especially if you live in a small town or rural area. Don't be afraid to get student loans. Having to work and go to school is very difficult for most. There are programs and facilities that will help pay back up to 80% of your loans when you agree to work for them for a certain length of time after graduation. These are mostly in areas of high need. Rural hospitals with critical access status is a good example. The money is there, you just may have to do a little digging to find it! Best of luck:nurse:

Javagal70 At my school you could apply to have bad grades removed from your transcript if your current grades reflect that you are now a serious student. Then it won't reflect on your GPA. Your transcript will list the class and have "missing grade". If the nursing school asks about it, tell them the truth. Many students start college, fail, and go back when they are more ready, or circumstances improve.. They won't hold it against you and likely will admire your determination to buckle down and improve.:yelclap: Do they still give "I" grades? When I was in college you could take an incomplete and take up to 2 quarters to retake the class without paying again. You just had to get the instructor to sign a form agreeing to have you back. After a certain date you couldn't officially withdraw from a class, I think if it was more than halfway through the quarter.

I also buy them a half size too big, feet swell after a long day!

Just make sure they are very supportive. Many people add cushioned insoles or orthotics as well. I wear Reebok walking shoes. Also support hose or socks. The floors are usually not giving at all, cement under a thin layer of flooring. It will kill your legs after awhile. Anyone who has been in the field for years can tell you about the spider and varicose veins. prevention is best! Good luck in your new position!!