ChrystalAD

Hi everyone!!! I accepted the offer a couple weeks ago now and I'm so excited to get started!!!! I'm moving from Tallahassee and just signed a lease for a condo in Carrollwood. Can't wait to meet everyone, and to start this new chapter in Tampa!

I still haven't heard anything..

I applied too! I'm really hoping to get a call back sometime soon :)

First of all, you have to realize that NOONE understands the unrelenting demands of nursing school unless they've been through it. Secondly, sometimes you have be okay with letting people go for a while. I have had to let a couple people take the back-burner during my schooling. You may have to do the same. If there are people in your life who are only bringing you down, I hope you can find the courage to not let them drag you away from your goals in nursing school. After all, school is only a temporary phase of your life, but it's absolutely grueling and requires a lot of time and dedication. I graduate in 42 days, and guess what- the people I've cut off are still there with all their problems if I ever decide I'm ready to re-open those cans of worms! Your decision with the un-supportive people in your lives doesn't have to be a "forever" decision. Just do what you need to for the better of yourself and your family :) Best of luck dealing with the drama!!!

Just got my email today saying I was inneligble and therefore won't be considered

Oh wow! Well congrats! That was fast!!! I technically didn't qualify because I don't grAduate until May, but I figured it couldn't hurt! I'm going to apply to the next cycle tho :) again, congratulations! Would you mind sharing some of your stats/strengths/connections (BSN? Certifications? GPA?) you have? I'm curious as to what things might make an application stand out amongst the rest. I'd love the feedback ans my emails [email protected] if you'd rather not post that publicly. As for me, I'm an LPN with about 5 months experience, will have BSN in May, 3.5GPA, class President, Sigma Theta Tau, ACLS certified. I've worked hard but I know the competition is daunting!

Hey everyone!! I applied to the Palo Alto VAs RN residency program and wanted a place I could check in with others during the application process. I'm graduating from a BSN program in Tallahassee, FL and will be moving across the country as soon as I find a job! My boyfriend just moved to Campbell on Thursday, so it's starting to feel real now! This residency progrAm sounds amazing so I'm crossing my fingers! Has anyone heard back from recruiters yet? Any idea how many people applied? I'd love to hear what you have to share! Best of luck!

Also, my email address is [email protected]. If it is allowed in your state, I'd be glad to share the application process with you.

I'm not sure if New Jersey allows the LPN equivalency like Florida does. This is how the FL application showed it. It's called PNEQ.

Just wanted to give an update.. I've been working as an LPN for two months now, while still enrolled full-time in a BSN program. My classes are Tuesday-Friday and I've been working 7a-7p every Saturday and Sunday. I haven't had a weekend off in 8 weeks! But I'm still so glad that I decided to do this! I'm gaining a lot of clinical experience every weekend that I work, and am growing tremendously in my ability to manage my time (both at work and at home). At first, it was really difficult losing my weekends, because that's when I did most of my studying. I would find myself not using my weekdays wisely, and then cramming every Monday. It was really stressful, and I actually saw a decline in my school work because of it. I failed two (of seven) Advanced Med-Surg exams in the first 3 weeks of working- And I am NOT the type of student who fails exams. I typically don't even make C's, so I was feeling very discouraged. However, I have since learned to better manage my studies throughout the weekdays, and just finished my 4th of 5 semesters with 2 A's and 3 B's. It was an adjustment, and it still is a little stressful during test weeks, but I am making it work :) As far as the clinical side of things go, I am learning so much every day. I found that it's true what everyone said about these ALF's throwing you on the floor without proper training. I had two days of training- and am a BRAND NEW nurse- and was just thrown out there, expected to manage 30+ patients each 12-hr shift. I've gotten the hang of it now, but I definitely contemplated quitting a couple times!! lol.. I'm finding that LPNs in these facilities take a lot of short-cuts to get everything done. For example, we all know you should never pre-pull your meds. However, when you have 30+ patients to medicate, who are out of their rooms floating around a huge facility, pre-pulling is the only way you'll ever get by. I really struggled with this at first, but have given in now. Anyways, back to the pro's, I'm learning a lot about diabetes management, Parkinson's management, and have performed tons of ostomy care, IM injections, and given care now to two patients in the end-of-life. Some things you just don't really grasp until you see them manifested in a real person, and that's a big plus for me. Also, since I am so close to graduating as an RN, I have a lot to offer my patients that a normal LPN couldn't. It's been really amazing catching things in patients, and talking with their physicians and seeing them improve with suggestions I've made. I've had a couple patients in particular who have had real turn-arounds in their lives because of suggestions and interventions I've made. It's really rewarding, and is preparing me for my future career as an RN. It's also given me more confidence, because I'm seeing how important the nurses role is. We are there with the patients every day, whereas the doctors might not be. I've found that these physicians really seem to value your suggestions for the most part, and that's been nice to see. So yeah, overall this has been a very rewarding opportunity for me, and I'm managing school and work just fine. Not to mention, the pay is far better than any other part-time job I could find around here. I hope this update helps, for anyone who might be considering the same thing! Graduation date: May 2nd, 2015!!! I can see the light!!!!!!

Thank you @Debilpn23!!

Thanks for all the good luck :) I was offered a position at 2 of the 3 places I interviewed for.. the home health shut me down before I even interviewed because I have no experience. But I can understand why home health nurses need experience- since you're working alone. I accepted a position at an assisted living facility here in town working Saturdays and Sundays from 7a-7p. Starting pay is $17.50/hr and because it's an ECC facility, some of the residents have foley catheters, g-tubes, and ostomies; so I'm going to get some experience that will benefit my transition into RN. I'm through the roof excited to get started, and I can't believe how easy it was to find a decent job!!!!!! I'll keep you guys updated on my transition as a new nurse, and managing school with part-time work. Although I haven't started yet, I have a feeling that this is going to be perfect for me until I graduate :) I'll be in touch.. and to anyone who is thinking of trying the same thing, I'm glad to answer any questions! Can't wait to get started!

So I got my official license last week! So exciting!!! Now, I've been applying to job around town, and have found that I'm getting a much better response from applying in person vs online. Just a tip for any of you out there starting as a new LPN. I wasn't sure if applying in person would make a difference, but it did.. and now I have an interview this afternoon at 3pm with a home health agency, and interview tomorrow with an Alzheimer/Dimentia clinic and one on Thursday with an assisted living facility. Hopefully, of the three, one of them will hire me right??

It's encouraging to hear from all you LPN's who were able to make it work! :) I'm hoping to find a job where I can work two or three 10-12 hr shifts every weekend, so that I can have the weekdays off for school. We'll just have to see what opportunities I can find. I applied to two jobs today, even though I haven't gotten any official results yet. I'm hoping by the time I hear back from some of these employers, I will be ready to provide my license information.. not really sure if I can use my unofficial results to begin working though. One of my LPN friends said that would be fine until I get my license in the mail, so I'm hoping that will work.

Just got home from taking my NCLEX!! The test stopped at the minimum number of questions, and I was surprised how many "select all that apply" there were. I swear, they were at least half of my 85 questions! Anyways, I feel good about it, and just got the good pop up on PearsonVue. Looks like it's time to start job hunting!!!!

Wow! A lot of input here! Challenging the boards is still an option here in FL. My interest in working as an LPN before I graduate comes from 2 places. 1) The pay as an LPN in Tallahassee is far beyond what I would make picking up some other part-time job (ranging from 15-19/hr), and 2) Clinical nursing experience. Point blank, in order to avoid taking more student loans (at around $15,000.00 right now), this seems like a good idea for me. Additionally, I feel like having clinical experience will put me a step above some of my "competition" when I graduate. I worked for the first 6 months of my BSN program, and have now been unemployed for the past 6. For some people, I definitely think working could interfere with their school work, but that's just not the case for me. I've maintained a 3.5 throughout and am excited to take my test today and get back in the workforce!!!!!! It's all about drive and determination :) Total, this has cost me about $450.00 In my opinion, that is much less than the extra student loans I would need to survive. If anyone has any questions about the application process, I'd be glad to help!!!! I'll stay posted on how the NCLEX goes, and how finding a job goes too! *fingers crossed*

So, I am in my last 8 months of FAMU's BSN program in Tallahassee, FL, and I take my NCLEX-PN in four days!! I found out a while back that you could challenge the boards for LPN, but could never really find much info from people who actually did it. I wanted to create a thread for other nurses who are thinking about doing the same thing!! The whole process took a couple months for me, but could have been done much faster if I had some advice from someone in the same situation. Thinking about becoming an LPN while finishing up RN schooling?? Have any questions?? Let me know :) ChrystalAD

If you make it in, you'll be starting the semester before I graduate!!

About the interview.. it was really comfortable.. it was just me and two interviewers and they asked very basic interview questions ie, tell us about your strengths and weaknesses, time management skills.. they only asked me 3 questions, and it lasted maybe 10 minutes. They were very friendly and responsive to my answers- I was still crazy nervous at first, but looking back at it all, they made it very casual.

Good :) Glad I can help! The program's going great so far.. during the first couple weeks, it was really overwhelming because we cover so much content every single day.. But, as it goes on, I'm starting to see cross-over materials in different classes.. like we're covering the same content in different ways, and it's all webbed together. Anyways, no, the summer semester will not be an issue for you during the application process. I did the same thing with a class over last summer and it won't be a problem. They don't let ANYONE know if they made it in until the end of summer semester.

@taeway94, I just started the in August.. Class of Spring 2015!!! I think I can help with your questions :) 1) The application process is long and complex, so it's good that you're starting early; you can find it online. You'll need 2 letters of recommendation from previous professors, 1 professional reference, an essay (answering specific questions found on application), a full physical performed the same month as the application deadline, 100% completion of pre-req's (summer classes will work), an official transcript in the app packet, and a pile of other things regarding immunizations.. Oh, and you have to be prepared to pay $550.00 for uniforms upon acceptance 2) yes, the essay info is on the application 3) yes, there is an interview about 6 weeks before the program start date 4) I'm a local, so housing wasn't an issue, but FAMU SON will not let you know you made it in until about 2-3 weeks before start date.. (I know a couple girls who put down apt deposits before knowing for sure if they were accepted or not)so be prepared. 5) My GPA was a 3.16, but I think my interview and essay helped me a ton! 6)Tuition for 1st semester 15 credit hours was around $2700.00.. the website will tell you that tuition costs are only around $147.00/credit hour for in state, but in the fine print there's a $38.00 "differential fee" per credit hour too.. just FYI.. Let me know if you have any other questions :) Good luck, and watch those grades!

I made it into FAMU's program, so I'm giving up my seat. Good news for both me and one lucky alternate :) Good luck in the program everyone!

Does anyone have any idea what our uniforms look like? Just curious!

Congrats fellow classmates!!! I made in too!!!! I'm so excited!!

Do any of you know if the meningitis vaccine is mandatory or optional? I haven't had it, but my original pre-nursing acceptance letter said it was necessary. I didn't see it on the nursing application though.. Anyways, I have an appt this Thursday, and figured I'll get that vaccine if it's a requirement.