Vocationofalifetime

Hello, I just read your post, and I can hear the fear in your voice. . .I recently had a health crisis myself, and I understand how scary it can be. . .I would like to gently remind you that your health comes first, no matter what. I would also like to ask you, how would you advise your patient facing similar circumstances? I was alerted to my health crisis last August after a sudden onset of uterine bleeding (I'm menopausal about two years). I thus, had incentive to see my gyno, and to get my annual PAP and mammogram. I am so glad that I did not ignore the signs, and my actions literally it saved my life! My doc performed an endometrial biopsy and D & C in the office and rushed the samples. I then waited five days for the results. I was completely thrown when my doc called me and told me that I had cervical and endometrial cancer and asked me to come in immediately for treatment. Up until that day, I've never had cancer, and I have no family history of cancer. I take my health seriously and I always get my annual screenings. I'm also a hard working nurse like you, and I'm in school to complete my BSN. But, like you, I knew that I had to make a decision about how to proceed, and I talked it over with my husband and made the follow up appointment. My oncologist reported that I had stage IA cervical and endometrial cancer, and because I caught it early, all I needed was surgery. Thus, within two weeks of my follow up visit, I had three procedures, including a full hysterectomy. I'm happy to report that I'm completely cancer free! After surgery, I took some time off (8 weeks) and I was able to return to usual routine by November 1st. I found great support through my family and friends, and through my colleagues at work. Please do whatever you need to in order to take care of yourself, and find support. And let us know how you are doing. . .We are here to support you no matter what! Leslie

That is the challenge of the entire program. . .I have completed three clinicals so far, and I'm looking for my N424 placement. . .I may end up in Pittsburg for that. I live in the Poconos and anticipate flying and staying over for a couple days a week for eight weeks during the course. There are approved clinical sites already set up, but very, very few. Good luck!

I am in the program, phase 3. I just posted a message under the ISU thread with details. I'm willing to support you, though, I don't think we are in the same phase. Read my post, and you will find out more info. .. Good luck!

Hello, I am in phase 3 of the LPN-BSN distance program, and I have five core classes left. I'm in taking N424 Adult Med-Surg IV (high acuity) in the Fall. I started the program--writing my TEAS exam three summers ago already! I have a previous BA, so many of my courses transferred, and I challenged the initial four courses required quite easily. I only took the challenge courses each only once after buying only four modules from TCN. I take only one class a semester (as I work 36 hrs/week), and usually an 11-week Summer session also. I find the courses very challenging, requiring alot of time, and necessitating that the student be proactive in all areas of the coursework and clinical piece. The instructors are usually quite good (some are better than others and really care about the student's success) though there is no hand-holding. If you have questions, you have to ask--use the discussion board, directly email the instructor, or ask other successful students (they are the students who are also proactive, and not lazy). Finding a clinical site is a major challenge for most of us, and it is up to the student to find a placement. This can be the student's undoing! What is more, the student may find if difficult to find a preceptor, which is also required for the clinical courses. If you are lucky to find a clinical placement and a preceptor (I've been successful three times now), you will not have an instructor on the unit with you, though your preceptor is supposed to be 1:1 with you as you fulfill your hours/course requirements. This can pose some challenges because you don't have an instructor available, and the preceptor may just assign you to an staff nurse who doesn't want the "help". This can be a problem, but hasn't been for me so far. However, I think that if the student is respectful of the staff nurses' time and expertise, and practices within the limits of their experience and education, it can still work. The preceptor though, is allowing the student to practice under their nursing license, while in the facility completing their clinical hours. This is very risky for the preceptor, and the student must respect that above all (second only to patient safety!). I would recommend any LPN to consider ISU's distance program if the LPN has experience working with patients (I've been an LPN since 1993) and is willing to accept complete responsibility for success. The student needs to be motivated and a "self-starter", willing to study and participate. You will have "no life" because the program demands complete focus. It is not a program for a lazy student, and the program is not designed to make the process easy. You will feel like quitting many times, overwhelmed, and humiliated when you realize how little you know. . .But these feelings fade. You will find good students that will support you, and on whom you can depend on and vent to. You will find an instructor that is willing to take your calls and texts and that actually helps you learn and solve problems. With every success, you will build more confidence and competence, and you will succeed. But, you have to really commit, and not give up, turn over every single rock and ask for help and support. You will also have to buy alot of textbooks, reference books, and spend an enormous amount of time online. But, I love it, and I can see myself being able to complete the program. It will take me twice as long as I thought, but I am getting there. . .Good luck to you!

I am a student with Indiana State University, and I'm in my second semester. I have been a student with ISU since last Spring, and I have been impressed by the quality of the nursing instructors (all but one) and most of my classmates. All of the support staff have been brilliant to work with, very helpful and I think ISU is a great school. I have found that I need to be very proactive in meeting the requirements of the program, especially in clinical placements. Some sites are available already, and the contracts are in place. However, approved clinical sites can be quite limited, at least in PA. I discovered that if I used a pre-approved clinical site (the best one about 2 hours from me), the education coordinator of the site found me an approved preceptor willing to act as my preceptor on site. This was great as I didn't have any affiliations with potential preceptors in that facility. I found my first preceptor through my work site, and it was a very positive experience. The costs are about the same when I compared other similar LPN-BSN programs, and the technology is current. I did purchase the four modules from TCN to prepare for and easily passed the four challenge exams, and I used ATI prep for my TEAS. I feel that it was a good investment, and do not regret buying the modules. Online distance programs are not for the faint of heart. A student must be diligent in their studies, be self-directed and be willing to take the time to study. It can be difficult if one needs the support of a study partner or group to learn. You have to keep to a schedule of study, and be a good communicator. It helps to be comfortable with online technology such as blogging, messaging, ecommerce, etextbooks, etc. also before your first semester! An online classroom can be very intimidating at first, but if you take your time, login everyday, stay up on your communication, ask questions, and study, you will be fine! Hope this comment helps you in your decision about a distance program!

LPNs with experience in home health make between $25-33/hour. It depends on the case. This is also in the NE.

Hello, I've been a licensed LPN since 1993 and I have gotten experience working in LTC as a charge nurse, and in a chemical dependency unit in a small hospital, and pediatric home health. It is hard for LPNs to get into facilities other than LTC facilities I've found, though it may be more of a regional thing than anything else. I've been trying to get into hospice care, but that's tough too on the East Coast. (It is the norm out here in the NE for nearly everyone to have at least one Master's degree in something! LOL!) I'm hoping that completing my BSN (I'm in a bridge program now) and having a BA in Psychology will give an opportunity to work with pediatric hospice, AIDS patients, and mental health clients. I know I will be working for many years yet, and I'm loving the process of learning and being challenged by new cases and job opportunities. I am committed to learning and growing in my profession, and to making a difference wherever I can, and I'm dedicated to helping other nurses find their own way too. Good luck to all of you in your professional pursuits! Happy 4th (and be safe out there)! Leslie

I'm also working full-time peds in a home health agency; my shifts are 12s and I work 3-1/2 a week, Friday through Mondays. It keeps me connected and able to practice my nursing skills, especially assessment. I don't have an option to not work and I am very grateful for the privilege to work with clients and their families. Leslie

Thank you all for your help in clearing up this issue for me! I am constantly amazed by the community that we have as nurses, no matter what our specialties or educational levels! Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July! Leslie

Hello, I just got my "'conditional' acceptance" letter today for phase 3 of ISU bridge program, and I will be starting my last 12 courses for my RN, BSN in the Fall. I've done all the work required up to now to get in, taken my TEAS, and challenged the 4 LPN courses. I am confident that I will be successful, but I realize I have to stay focused. The challenge will come when I'm taking clinical courses, and finding preceptors (which I'm told are already in place) that I can work with to complete the requirements. I'm only going at this part-time, so only 2 classes at a time, and I'm paying as I go, so I won't have any debt when I'm done. But, I feel like it's the right thing for me. I am abit worried about the clinical aspect and I hope I find a good preceptor in my area that really wants to help me. I've been a nurse over 20 years and I'm alittle nervous but, I know that I'll be okay if I recognize my limitations and strengths, ask questions of my preceptor (give her/him the benefit of the doubt and stay positive) and be persistent in my studies. I study everyday, and I'm taking a pathophysiology class right now (400 level) which will be done next week (I'm getting an A). The TEAS was a breeze and the challenge courses difficult but I used TCN resources to prepare and passed the first time around with decent scores. I don't regret using TCN at all; I've been out of school a long time, so I felt that TCN would really help refresh my training and education from LPN school! Leslie

Thank you for your responses to my post. I appreciate this may not be related at all to 'Obamacare' and it may be a regionally or hospital preference that seems to be insinuating the type of education required for nurses. I'm not sure, but I'm going to keep investigating. Leslie

Hello, I just read your post. I've been an LPN since 1993, and I'm in school for my BSN now. I've worked in a chemical dependency program, nursing home, and currently in home health. Regarding your question, I believe your opportunities depend upon where you live. I happen to live in the NE, and we have alot of magnet hospitals in our area, which requires a BSN education, minimally, and thus, it's nearly impossible to find facility job as an LPN. However, as a field nurse since 2000, I know that home health is a huge field for LPNs and RNs, and we have a big problem hiring good nurses. Thus, from my point of view, I would like to encourage you to check out home health, and specialties such as pediatrics, geriatric, high-tech positions. It may require some additional training, but most trainings and certifications can be done through the field office where you are employed. I wish you good luck and I encourage you to persist in the challenge of being a valuable, and effective nurse working with patients who need you to be dedicated and excellent in what you do! Leslie

Hello, I'm an LPN (since 1993), and have recently learned that LPNs and 3-year/or diploma RNs are required to become BSNs before 2016 in order to keep their jobs. The change is apparently due to the new medicare laws and 'Obamacare'. Does anyone know if this is true? Last Summer, incidentally, I decided to pursue my BSN degree as I would like to increase knowledge and develop my skills as a hands on nurse in the field of pediatrics. Thus, I had already started down this road on my own. Interestingly, my nursing supervisor (Master's level) informed me shortly after I had enrolled in a LPN-BSN program, that it would be required by law by 2016 for all LPNs and RNs without a BSN to obtain a BSN in order to practice nursing in the future. I haven't heard any news released about this requirement, and if it's actually true, why isn't this knowledge to all nurses (LPNs and RNs) working out in the field? I'm posting this thread to create a dialogue about this issue. Does anyone know anything about this? Thanks!

Congratulations on your sobriety! And thank you for sharing your story! I love psychiatric nursing and chemical dependency! I hope to return to working in CD and Psych someday! Leslie

Congratulations, Heather! I have been strictly a peds nurse since 2000 and I love it! I have learned so much along the way and encourage you to challenge yourself, find an in-house mentor that will help you and practice your skills everyday! If you can, work in a variety of cases with different diagnoses, and make use of your clinical manager. Ask questions, and put yourself out there! You will thoroughly enjoy it! I am currently completing my BSN and I intend on continuing to work with kids and their families in the field after graduating. Home health is a great place to apply all of your skills, and will call upon you to extend great compassion and understanding of a family handling the challenges that come from chronic and serious illness. You are the child's eyes and ears, and most importantly, the advocate for this child and his/her family. Be diligent about keeping your professional boundaries, remain respectful about the family's privacy and confidentiality. Keep your heart open, as a child knows if you are really interested and care for them. Be a support, not only for your client, but to the child's parents and siblings; be kind, nonjudgmental, understanding and listen well. These are some things that I have learned along the way, and I feel very privileged still in being able to work with children and families in their homes. Enjoy! You are in for a wonderful treat and I assure you that you will learn something new every single day! Leslie