TammyJo

I recently interviewed for a job and the rate of pay never came up. I wanted to know what it was, but didn't know if it was appropriate to ask or not. When they called me a few days later they told me the pay rate, cost of insurance and a few other details, offered me the job and then asked if I was interested. In the few days that I was waiting for them to call me I kept going over and over in my head what I would do if they offered me a lower amount of money. I wish it would have been covered in orientation, I just didn't know how to ask about it.

I'm sorta in the middle. I don't announce to the world that I'm a nurse, but I don't hide the fact either. However, I do like to leave my white hat and cape at the door when I leave work. I do not like being the all knowing on every medical condition. I work in long term care. I am not an expert in all of the newest medical advances in the hospital and I don't know why the Cardiac Surgeon didn't think anything else could be done for your uncle after surgery that didn't go exactly as planned. Most of the time when people ask for advice I usually tell them, you better have that checked by your doc!!

I only used TCN study guides. I thought their content was thorough. The only exception was for A&P, for that test I dug out my book from LPN school.

I am sooo excited!!! I graduated from EC in the beginning of Aug. I passed the boards on 8/25. I had been working at a LTC facility forever and after passing boards didn't really go looking for another job. I did go to a job fair the hospital had and was told they do not hire anyone directly to first shift. You have to be hired on 2nd or 3rd shift and when a day shift job opens, you can bid on it. I can't work 2nd or 3rd because my kids are in almost every activity known to man. So anyways here I was still working at the LTC facility doing the same job I was doing before I became a RN. The only difference was I signed RN after my name and made more money. I was fairly happy with that though. Then one sunday, my coworker and I were looking through the Help wanted ads and saw one for a LTC facility that NEVER has ads in the paper. This place has like zero turnover. The listing was for a full time daylight supervisor. She talked me into applying for this job. I didn't really think I had a prayer of getting it, but she said what would it hurt to try. I applied and a few days later was called for an interview. I interviewed with the HR director and the DON. They asked alot of questions about Excelsior and how it works. They seemed very skeptical about the CPNE and said " you only had to do one weekend of clinicals?" I explained that only LPNs and paramedics (sorry if I forgot anyone else) could do this program and as far as the CPNE, it had to be done with 100% accuracy or you failed, had to pay another $1600 plus the wait time. When I explained it like that they were completely accepting of the program. :) I interview on a Tuesday. I asked when they would be making their decision. was told they had 6 other people to interview, and the decision would be made on friday or monday at the latest. Thursday morning I got the call offering me the job. I know this is a long post, but what I wanted to say was that Excelsior may not be the most traditional school in the world, but it worked for me. I was able to work full time as a LPN, study, take care of my family and husband after a major accident and still finish the program in just a little over 2 years. For everyone who is just starting, keep on it. You'll get done and when you do, it is sooooo worth it!!!!

I passed the CPNE in July in Columbus. Stress management is definately the biggest problem and it needs to be controlled. I feel that if you look, act and speak professionally with the patients you have, the examiners do take a step back and let you do your stuff. If you are stumbling over words and look like a scared duck they are definately going to be looking at everything you do a lot closer. I agree the EPN is not user friendly, or maybe I am not computer-literate

I started out as a NA, moved on to be a CNA, then LPN, then RN. I could not have made it this far without the CNA's. I have nothing but respect for the job they do. I could not get my job done without their help. I work with 4 of the best CNA's in the world. They truly make my job ALOT easier. They are all dependable and take wonderful care of the residents. I have worked with CNAs in the past that worry more about what I am doing or what they THINK I should be doing instead of doing their own work, they just are not as dedicated as others. God bless anyone who chooses to be a CNA. They definately have a pair of wings and a halo waiting for them someday!!!!

I used the College network and thought their books were great. I passed everything on the first try. I wanted all the information in one book. My advice to you is to get the books from ebay. Don't sign the expensive contract. Save your money for other things like the CPNE!! Good Luck, Tammy

Hey everyone, I just wanted to share my joy. I found out yesterday morning that I passed the NCLEX!! For 2 1/2 years all I have thought about was studying and studying and more studying. Now I can actually watch tv and not feel guilty!! I haven't posted on this site very much, but read it frequently and I do value all the opinions I have read here. Thank you all so much. Best of luck to all that are still working towards their goal!! Tammy Sanders, RN:monkeydance:

Thanks for the replies. I was hoping it wouldn't be as expensive to get my BSN as it was for associates. Maybe I'll wait until I get a job and see if my new employer will pay for any of it. Is this wishful thinking???

Hey everyone. I just passed the CPNE at the beginning of the month and now I am waiting for boards. I would like to continue on for my BSN but I am unsure how to do it. I talked with a local college here and pretty much their RN to BSN program is online. If thats the route that I will be taking, I'd like to get info on as many online programs as possible. Just looking for some info here. Thanks, Tammy:balloons:

Why does it take so long after finishing the CPNE to get a graduation date? Do you have to wait until after your graduation date to take the NCLEX?

I signed with the College Network before i researched everything completely. You do not have to sign on with a publishing company to go thru the EC program. You can definately get the books you need on Ebay or Half.com for a fraction of the cost the publishing company charges. However, I work full time, have a husband and 2 kids and don't have alot of time to be looking for the different guides so I am not completely sorry that I bought them all from the College Network publishing company. It was pretty convienent.

Great Job!!! I just passed NC2 last week. Haven't really started studying for NC3 yet. Are you already enrolled in excelsior? I was told it would take them up to a month to get everything done, so i figured I had enough time to take a week off. I am hoping though to be done with exams by the end of summer. Don't know if that is a realistic goal or not.

Just wanted to share with everyone that I passed NC2 today!! I was so excited when the score popped up and it was a B. There was alot about nutrition on the exam and I have always hated nutrition. Only 5 more exams and the dreaded CPNE and I can sit for the boards. Funny how the CPNE scares me more than the boards. Thanks for listening, just wanted to share!!

The English Comp test is hand written. They give you a 3 booklets to write in for each of the 3 Essay questions. You were required to use a pen which was difficult. If you are a fairly good writer, I'd take the chance. I passed with a C, but was glad to get the 6 credits. They give you the subjects to write about. I felt that as long as you can make some concrete ideas you'd pass this test.