duncanRN

I agree. I attended SLU nursing school and did not have a pleasant experience. You learn nursing theory, which is mostly useless in the real world. I don't know anything about OLOL, but I know I was miserable at SLU. Good luck.

I would definitely recommend FL Hosp. over ORMC. The recruiters at ORMC misrepresented benefits. I do not work at FL Hosp, but several nurses I know do or have and they highly recommend it as a place of employment. But, go on interviews to both places and see which offer you like the best. I interviewed at both places and the benefits were comparable, but FL Hosp. offered .50 cents more an hour. Good luck!

The first semester you go to hospital twice for an hour to do a complete assessment. The second semester you go for one day (it's been awhile!); I think 7 to 1. You go the day before for an hour to look through your patient's chart. The third, fourth, and fifth semester you go for two days, 7 to 3. You also go the day before day one to do preclinical. The last semester you don't have preclinical.

I lived in Hammond while I was in school. From what I understand, Hammond has not been too badly hit by the hurricane. Yes, lots of care plans written by hand. Most instructors are very strict and they require a lot of attention. Usually take several hours a week, depending on the teacher. They are usually done after clinical.

No, that's exactly why it is hard. In nursing school, tests are all about application and very little memorization. You read the question and all four multiple choice answers seem okay, so you just have to understand the material and be able to apply it to do well. Patho/pharm is definitely hard because your learning about disease processes and all of these different medicines and their side effects and....it's just complicated when you have never been exposed to the stuff before.

Some of the instructors are pretty mean, probably close to half. Their are only a few who actually care and the others are just there and don't say much or advocate for the students. Administration doesn't take complaints seriously from the students. Some of the instructors are incompetent in addition to being cruel and if you complain about them, administration ignores it. Some of the classes are just a waste of time and the clinical instructors are either somewhere with their favorite students and you can't find them. Clinicals are done mainly in Baton Rouge. Their are some sites in Covington and Hammond, but it's competitive to get those spots. Anyway, hope that helps.

I graduated with my bachelor's degree in nursing from SLU in May of '04. While I was in school, I hated the instructors and thought the curriculum was too strenuous. However, after graduation I was thankful to have went through SLU's program, because I felt very well prepared. My only complaint is some of the instructors are very unsympathetic. My clinical skills were not the best, but my knowledge base was excellent. I would highly reccommend their program.

http://www.doh.state.fl.us Click on the link on the left hand side that says nursing. From there you should be able to access the online app. If you have any questions, let me know.

I agree.

I commend you on your pride as a nurse (all of us, after all, are NURSES). However, as an RN, I have seen LPN's get very little respect and their pay is usually 7 or so more dollars less an hour (at best). You are lucky to work in critical care/ED. Most hospitals would not hire an LPN.

I just have to say that even though what you say is harsh, I totally agree with you. My friend's sister became an LPN and it took her 15 mos. of school. However, a family member is going through an associate degree program and will finish in two years. I would totally go for the AD-RN before going through LPN school. I don't think LPN's get the respect they deserve and they are paid total crap. (By the way, off topic, I am a BS RN and my fiance is a engineer. It seems there are alot of engineer/nurse husbands and wives.)

I would say at this point not to give up on nursing. I have been an RN for a year and my opinion of nursing has varied a great deal. LTC RN's have a very different job than hospital RN's or public health RN's, etc. You just have to find your niche. I worked as a med/surg nurse since graduation and found hospital nursing to be stressful. Now, I am working at the health dept. from 8 to 5 and I really like my work. You should pursue your RN and remember that there will be a variety of jobs you can do in your nursing career. Don't give up. :)

Thanks for what you said. I have been an RN in the hospital setting for one year. I have been offered a PHN job, with great hours, but really low pay. What you said makes me realize that when you hate your job (and I did not like the hospital), no amount of money is worth it.

I also have a health department job offer and will take a significant pay cut if I take it. I don't know what to do. I want the job, I think it will suit me better than med/surg nursing, but the pay cut is hard to swallow. I mean the pay is sooo low. They are offering me about 30k/year, when I can make 40k/yr in the hospital. Any advice?

I live in an apartment complex in the 32822 area code. I am only a few miles from the airport. I really like it here. It's nice and quiet and conveniently located to a lot of things.