ihavehorns

I'm doing the excelsior Lpn to RN. I am just starting out with courses I can clep. My first test will be Sociology. I have ADD and my main problem is staying focused and not giving up. I love this message board because I can how far everone has come. It's very inspirational. Lisa

I'm feeling a little lost. I am just starting out and could use some support and encouragement. :kiss Anyone else just starting out? Maybe we could start the journey together and give daily support and encouragement to each other. :blushkiss Sometimes we all need someone to light a fire under us to get us back up and moving. Or, sometimes we just need a place to whine. Whatever it takes to get us to the next test. If enough people are interested maybe we could form a group or something. Let me know, Lisa

I just received my admissions application from excelsior. It has a list of all the pre-reqs I need. Is anyone familiar with this? I am going to take the clep Sociology on Friday. I was wondering which of the other pre-reqs you can use clep for. I am on the tightest budget right now and I need to go the cheapest route possible. I took psych 101 at my local community college, I didn't see that listed as one of the pre-reqs...just abnormal psych. Does excelsior call it something else? Sorry for all the questions, but I am really lost here. I can pass the tests, I just need to know what to take. Thanks for the help. lisa

I've never been a charge nurse, so I can't help you there. Oh...I have an idea...DELEGATE!! :chuckle Seriously, I've never been in charge. I agree with you about the watching like a hawk thing. I do the same thing. Do you think we overcompensate a little?? :uhoh21: I am ashamed to admit that I have never told anyone I work with that I have ADD. They just think I'm really ANAL! I know it's dumb, but I worry people will judge me. I work really, really hard and I'm an excellent nurse. I just have to use lot's of post its and be very organized. People probably can tell anyway, since I've always been the class clown I love to have fun at work too, but I have to watch it or I will get off track. I don't take any medication and I guess that makes it harder too. I don't want to take medication, so I just have to work on being organized everyday. It's a daily battle believe me. Oh and as for learning your drugs, sorry, but I always had a problem there too. There are just so many....I get overwhelmed. I am so glad to have met you guys. It's easier to talk about oneself in a safe place like this forum. Love ya, Lisa

LOL ....Yes I'm sure an ADD nurses group will make the public feel very safe :chair: To study, I make sure I am in a room with no distractions. For me, that is my bedroom. No T.V., magazines or books (unrelated to my studying) I do everything in 15 minute increments. I actually have a timer. I read for 15 minutes. Write out my study cards for 15 minutes. Practice test for 15 minutes. I don't leave the room for anything! I make sure I've gone to the bathroom prior!! :) I make sure I've eaten, I turn the answering machine on and the ringer off. The main thing is no distractions and sticking to my 15 minute routine. I feel like a kid, but it works. I sometimes wonder how I manage at all in life. I should own stock in post-its. The 15 minute rule really works. No stopping what you are doing for 15 minute increments. I do this at work too and it really helps. Like when I have charting to do this is my downfall, I hate it. So, I do my 15 minute rule. I have to chart for 15 minutes at a time (unless someone is hanging out of bed, or coding! LOL) without walking away from my paperwork. I always carry a clipboard with my post-its. I always have one of those pens that have 4 different colors, so I can write things to pass on in report in green, Med times in black, etc. It's just a way of life for me now. My friends at work just think I am really anal!! lol! :rotfl: Lisa

Thanks so much for the replies. I have a few more questions though. What clep tests do I need to take? I only have psych 101! That's it. So what courses can I clep. The reason I went to LPN school is because I have ADD, and felt overwhelmed at college. :chair: I didn't know how to pick my classes...it was just to much for me. LPN school was great because everything was in one place. They told me what classes to take and when to take them. I know I can do this now, but I just need a little help. I just need specific's. Like, exactly which tests do I need to clep and which do I need to take with excelsior? Could you list them for me? I would appreciate it more than you could know. Once I have a list of what I need to take I can begin. I have learned how to manage studying and how to keep focused, I just need a little help with getting started. That's where hopefully you guys can help me. Believe it or not I'm an excellent nurse. I just need to have lot's of post it notes!! LOL, actually...I've learned how to manage my time, and be organized. I know I can do this....I just need a little help. Thank you all so much. Lisa

I've been an lpn for 8 years working in an acute care setting. I took one class so far towards my RN, which was psych 101. I would love to take more classes in a traditional setting but can't afford too. That one class was so expensive. So.....I am will have to go the non traditional route! I would love to hear from anyone who could help me start a plan towards my RN. Since I only have that one course, I don't want to enroll in excelsior until I have to. Did anyone take some clep tests and then do excelsior since it seems the cleps are cheaper? What is the advantage and disadvantage of this? Any advice on where to start? I only work weekends, so I have all week to study. I need to find the cheapest way possible, because money is definately an issue right now. I know it will pay off in the long run, but I just don't have a lot of money for school right now. I'm still paying off old school loans! Thanks in advance for your help. I hope to get to know you all soon. Lisa