NewbyLPN

TIPS ON GETTING A JOB? Hello everyone! I'm sure you guys have gone through the path of being an entry level nurse. With no experience as a nurse...how to I nail an interview? I need help. I want a job, but I haven't been lucky on getting a response. I've had at least 14-15 applications (by person and online). So far, I've only had electronic responses of "Thank you" and "Will contact if considered...blah." Tips anyone? To all the HRs, what do you expect from an Entry Level nurse? Thank you!

Thanks guys! I've been hearing people say, "GO LTC first!" cuz it'll give me good experiences and where the money is! I wouldn't mind but at the same time, I see many options out there. Just wanted to see where you guys started! DO YOU GUYS HAVE TO BE EXPERIENCED TO GO ON SPECIALIZED NURSING? OR YOU GUYS NEED YEARS OF WORKING AS A NURSE? Just wondering. Thanks for the replies! :)

Nursing schooling whether it's RN or LPN will always be hard. It takes hardwork, dedication, discipline and of course, passion for you to be a successful student. My experiences were crazy, but I'll share you what I have learned throughout nursing school. 1) DON'T PROCRASTINATE! Don't say, "I'll do it later, tomorrow, or this weekend." Be ahead of the game! 2) ORGANIZE! Don't be a mess. Have your notes, pens, HIGHLIGHTERS, books, stethoscope, tape recorder etc already prepared. (Speaking of stethoscope, I would recommend the Littman stethoscope. Yes, it's expensive but this stethoscope is AMAZING! It'll help you hear clearer than cheap stethoscopes!) Orderliness is a must! It'll help you get focused when things are organized and ready. 3) USE A CALENDAR OR AN ORGANIZER AND WRITE DOWN ALL THE DUE DATES ETC. This will help you be prepared for upcoming quizzes, tests, exams, and you can prioritize which one should be done first! 4) OF COURSE, STUDYYYY!!! Read ahead so you don't get confused when lecture in class comes. Trust me, it will help save you some confusion in class. Don't just memorize unless it's lab values etc. If it doesn't make sense, then don't be afraid to ask. Research about that topic, watch it on youtube for visual, use nursing cartoons & notecards for easy memorization! Have study groups if this learning style helps you. You gotta understand it because memorizing isn't going to help you get through NCLEX exam at all. Plus, you would want to be a knowledgeable nurse right?! 5) MAKE CODES OR CLUES for yourself so you can easily remember it. For example on a medication, Think about LOPERAMIDE, "Hmm... What is that? How can I remember this out of thousands of medications?!" Let's make a clue! Loperamide is an anti-diarrheal medication. So think about it, LO (LOwering) PER (PERistalsis) RA (an RAPIDITY) of the GI and -IDE as we know from medical terminology as either idea or pertaining to! So think of it as THE IDEA/PERTAINING TO LOWERING THE PERISTALSIS AND RAPIDITY OF THE GI TRACT!!! Make it fun and exciting! It helped me a lot in nursing so have fun! 6) PARTICIPATE IN CLASS! Instructors like students who participate in class discussions. 7) EAT FOODS HIGH IN PROTEIN, LESS SWEETS, BUT DRINK PLENTY OF WATER! Believe me, you're focus will skyrocket! I remember eating chili beans from Wendys that one morning and boy...my attention in class was wayyyyy better. I didn't fall sleepy in class, as usual lol (LONG HOURSSS plus wrong and unhealthy snacks. Food coma). SO pack up some high protein foods! Stay hydrated tooo!!!! 8) SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE! It doesn't matter who, but we all know POSITIVE PLUS POSITIVE = MORE POSITIVE lol So if you have toxic friends or people who are pulling you down, then that's bad. You'll need people who will be supporting you and your newfound career cuz...it's not eaaaaaasyyyyyy! Subtract toxic people in your life! 9) ENJOY LEARNING! This will only motivate you to learn more. Be EXCITED AND HUNGRY for knowledge! Easy to say right, but it's nursing. It's never going to be easy anyways so why add to the drama?! Good luck and hope these lil tips will help you out! Have faith in yourself and if you're the type who prays, then remember this....PREPARATION + PRAYERS = PASSING!!!

OMG!!! That's a lot for an LPN! What state is that? You're obviously an experienced LPN to have that kind of income. That's very inspiring to know though!

Hey guys! Just wanted to know what was your first job setting as an LPN? Did you work at LTC first? Or...acute setting? Clinic setting? How was it? What you could've done or your recommendations for upcoming LPNs?! Also, what was the pay? Please kindly share! Thanks!

I realized that until I finally asked them. I was told that they only need my transcripts so they can make my license "Active." So I thought it was a good signal or something that I passed! And I did! :)

Thank you guys! Remember that day when you guys got your good popped up result?! And that "PASS" result?! What a relief and best feeling! :) Thanks again!

Nursing schooling whether it's RN or LPN will always be hard. It takes hardwork, dedication, discipline and of course, passion for you to be a successful student. My experiences were crazy, but I'll share you what I have learned throughout nursing school. 1) DON'T PROCRASTINATE! Don't say, "I'll do it later, tomorrow, or this weekend." Be ahead of the game! 2) ORGANIZE! Don't be a mess. Have your notes, pens, HIGHLIGHTERS, books, stethoscope, tape recorder etc already prepared. Orderliness is a must! It'll help you get focused when things are organized and ready. 3) USE A CALENDAR OR AN ORGANIZER AND WRITE DOWN ALL THE DUE DATES ETC. This will help you be prepared for upcoming quizzes, tests, exams, and you can prioritize which one should be done first! 4) OF COURSE, STUDYYYY!!! Read ahead so you don't get confused when lecture in class comes. Trust me, it will help save you some confusion in class. Don't just memorize unless it's lab values etc. If it doesn't make sense, then don't be afraid to ask. Research about that topic, watch it on youtube for visual, use nursing cartoons & notecards for memorization, and have study groups if this learning style helps you. You gotta understand it because memorizing isn't going to help you get through NCLEX exam. Plus, you would want to be a knowledgeable nurse right?! 5) PARTICIPATE IN CLASS! Instructors like students who participate in class discussions. 6) EAT FOODS HIGH IN PROTEIN LESS SWEETS, BUT DRINK PLENTY OF WATER! Believe me, you're focus will skyrocket! I remember eating chili beans from Wendys that one morning and boy...my attention in class was wayyyyy better. I didn't fall sleepy in class, as usual lol (LONG HOURSSS plus wrong and unhealthy snacks. Food coma). SO pack up some high protein foods! Stay hydrated tooo!!!! 7) ENJOY LEARNING! This will only motivate you to learn more. Be HUNGRY for knowledge. Easy to say right, but it's nursing. It's never going to be easy anyways so why add to the drama?! Good luck and hope these lil tips will help you out! Have faith in yourself and if your the type who prays, then remember this....PREPARATION + PRAYERS = PASSING!!!

This feeling is beyond happiness! I just found out that I PASSED my exam! I cannot believe it lol. Anyways, to those of you guys who will be taking the NCLEX whether it's LPN or RN; I'm sure you can do it!!! There's nothing in this world that we cannot surpass ? Preparation + Prayers = PASSING! Gooood luck!!!

Thank you! Did you pass?!

In WA, there's this LTC that pays 28/hr for LPNs! :)

Hey guys! So I took my exam on July 14th, 2014 and I've been waiting for the results. Its been driving me insane cuz I don't know if I have passed or failed it. I stopped at 85 questions and that was it. I got this email from DOH saying I've been missing my official transcripts from the school and they need it in order to continue my licensing process. I don't know if that's a good sign or not, but I'm hoping and praying that I did pass my nclex-pn exam. I just currently contacted my school and they told me that I've been missing an official transcript from my old school, therefore they couldn't send my transcripts to the DOH. Anyways, what do you guys think? I haven't tried the pearson vue trick at all cuz I'm not sure if it's going to work since I'm missing a requirement. Any suggestions? Btw, I have already sent my official transcripts to the school so I'm just waiting now....sigh. I'm going crazyyyyy in here. I hope to pass this exam! Kindly help with your suggestions or comments! Thanks!

Hi everyone! Can you guys kindly share advices on how to review well for the exam? I need help with organization bc I got Saunders review for nclex-pn, Kaplan qbank, med flashcards and PDA. I'm not going to lie, but I just don't know where to start. I just wanted to know how you, as NCLEX board passers have disciplined, organized and managed yourselves on your review days. Thank you!!!

Congrats!!! Must be a great feeling! :)

Don't give up marinesgirl!!! I know how it feels like to fail an exam and it does sucks, but you got this! YOU will pass! :) Preparations + prayers = PASSING!