CSimonFan

Hi Kal. Thanks for the advice and for sharing a little bit of your student story. The novelty of being a nursing student has worn off and now we are so busy, I don't have time to think of anything else. We are covering a chapter per day and it is like a tidal wave of information, and the class is a little overwhelmed. I've become more at ease with the Power Point system and like it better now than I did in the beginning. My two instructors are really great at what they do. One of them is from Canada, so it is nice to have her expertise and point of view as well. We haven't started care plans yet, but for me it will be just another thing that is required to get me where I need to be in life. I try to keep my eye on the light at the end of the tunnel, so that keeps me motivated. Thanks Again, CSimonFan

I guess it depends where you are, but I'm here in NC and we only have to wear a uniform on the day of clinical (Wednesday), which consists of a white shirt, white pants, a white lab coat and white shoes, preferably leather, and every other day of the week we can wear our own clothes- jeans, t-shirts, shorts, etc... It's a relaxed community college, so being in our own attire sets us more at ease, I think.

Hey everyone! Started my LPN program this week. We started out with 20 and 1 has dropped out so far. There is only 1 other guy besides me, so at least I'm not alone. We have covered 4 chapters of text so far and had our first clinical in a LTC facility. Is anyone else experiencing this fast pace in their program? If so, how do you feel about it? Are you comprehending all of the material? Also, my instructor is teaching us using the Power Point system, which I don't really have an opinion on yet, but I don't think I'm going to like it. Anyone feel free to share opinions or ideas if you have just started your classes. Thanks.

Sounds like we have a lot in common right now Donald. I am a 39 yr old male in NC who just started LPN school this week. There is only 1 other male in the class besides me, so I am grateful for that. I didn't want to be the only male either. The class started out this past Monday (the 22nd) with only 20 and one has dropped out so far. My class is a 3 semester class and I can tell that we are going to cover alot of material. We have already covered 4 chapters this week and had our first clinical. Everyone asks me the same question as they do you. Why didn't you just go for the RN program? I tell them "Because I didn't want to." We all have to do what is right for ourselves. I took all of my prereqs and got them out of the way so I could concentrate on Nursing 1. That is what works best for me. It will take me longer to obtain the goal, but so what. It's my choice. Anyway, welcome to the world of nursing and I'm sure you will do well. Keep your chin up and just take it one day at a time because that is all we can do!!

Thanks to all of you that have responded!! My curiousity has been satisfied!! Yes, everyone should be a Billy Bragg fan, and if not a fan of him, at least a fan of Kirsty MacColl. That bit of work she and Billy did together was great!! I sure do miss her since her death. Thanks Again!!

Thanks for clarifying that for me Talaxandra. I knew someone would be able to enlighten me on it. Interesting that you're a Billy Bragg fan. So am I. Thanks again.

I have been reading this book written by a nurse that lives in Canada and she has referred to the term: "He has pressure in the boots". I am unfamiliar with this term and have asked a few nurses about it, but all have said they have never heard the term before. The nurse that wrote the book is an ICU nurse. Is this an ICU term, a Canadian term, or what? If any of you know what it means, please advise.

When I finish RN school, I would like to work in MICU or CICU in the hospital where I now volunteer. It is an excellent teaching hospital and also the home of the #1 heart surgeon in the world! He is quite "The Man" and his word is law there. One of the things I like about the ICU area are the 15 minute only visiting hours. The nurses run the show and the visitors do what the nurses tell them to do. That way you don't have to deal with visitors all day long and the attitudes that they bring with them when they visit!

I'm sad to hear that such a terrible thing has happened to you. I am just a beginning LPN male student and when I hear about situations such as yours, it gives me a little hesitancy about going into the field. If you know that you have been wronged and you are innocent, then you should fight it. There are lawyers out there that will represent you, and they only collect a fee if you win your case. I'm sure you've worked hard to become a RN, and it IS time for your family to reap some of the rewards. Get a lawyer and have your name cleared and put this unfortunate situation behind you. Good luck and I hope it works out in your favor. Don't give up!! Also, I too live in N.C. What area are you in? Thanks.

Hi Chumbly. Welcome to the board. Congratulations on making your goal a reality! July will be here before you know it!! Stay focused, dude.

Hi Everyone! I also start LPN school in August. I got accepted on my first try. I am a 39 yr old male and live in NC. Have worked as a corrections officer in a medium security prison for the last 9 yrs and have finally reached burn out! I just can't do it anymore. I will be ecstatic to give them my 2 week notice in August!! I am a little concerned about making a career change at my age, but people do it all the time, so it's really not a big deal. Also concerned about financial help, but it will all work out. We have to stay positive and focused! If it wasn't meant for me to succeed, I wouldn't have been accepted in the first place, right?? Good luck everybody!!

Hi Michelle. I will also be starting the LPN program here in August. I think your idea for a LPN club sounds great! I am located in North Carolina. I am a male, 39 yrs old, and finally making a positive career change. Yes, it will be tough, but we can do it! Let's Thrive In 2005!!

Well, I have two favorites. The first is Julie London on Emergency. She was the epitome of the early 70's nurse with her starched white uniform. She was not the star of the show, but it was nice to see her each episode. I have to say that I like her music better than her acting, though she was good at both. My second fave is Cloris Leachman as Nurse Diesel in High Anxiety. She was TOO funny in that movie. No one could have played that part better!

You and I have a couple of things in common. We are both in our 30's (I'm 39) and are in a similar field. I have been a corrections officer in a medium security prison for the last 8 yrs and have finally reached burn out. It is a dead end job, working for state sucks, and the inmates get more respect than officers do. I can relate to you completely. I have decided to go back to school and start the LPN program in August. I chose LPN because I want to take it slow and work while I pursue my RN, plus getting experience along the way, which I think is important in nursing. I hear all the time about BSNs coming out of college and don't know their butt from their elbow because they have had no floor expeience in a hospital or other medical facility. If you were motivated to get your Bachelor's in CJ, you'll be motivated enough to do the nursing. Wish you the best of luck!! CSimonFan

I think one of the reasons nurses are quitting in droves at the prison where I work is inconsistency. The policies/rules of the Medical Dept. are constantly changing. Where I work the inmates really have to be catered to because the state is so afraid of lawsuits. I can't speak for all of the NC prisons, so I don't know if they all work the same. If you are planning to relocate to Raleigh and you have had health problems in the past, I definitely would not recommend Central Prison. You might want to try a smaller one such as Wake Correctional. There is also NCCIW (the women's prison), but it is a large facility,also. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Thanks, Doug85

I don't know what state you are in, but here in NC the Dept. of Correction does hire LPNs. As a matter of fact, they are happy to get ANY nurse they can get, at least that's the way it is at the facility where I am currently a corrections officer. I start LPN school in August. I will not work for any prison when I'm done because I know how prisons really work. We only have a staff of about 20 nurses and they are constantly quitting. For some reason, the Dept. of Correction here in NC have a hard time keeping nurses in any of the NC prisons. Good luck with your search. CSimonFan

Yes, I think male nurses DO rock. We have so much to look forward to in the field of nursing. Even though I am just beginning as a student, I keep up with the latest trends and am always reading RN magazine to see what the latest developments are. I live in Eastern NC, in Greenville/New Bern area, which is near the coast. If you lived in Charlotte, you might not have heard of the area. How do you like Dallas? I have a cousin there that is a Nurse Practioner and she is in the Houston area. I might travel out there sometime after I get my RN degree. Take Care, CSimonFan

Don't be nervous about how people will receive you. You have made up your mind about becoming a nurse, so don't let what anyone else thinks stop you from living your dream. I used to worry about things like that but being in the military for 4 yrs. and a corrections officer for the last 8 yrs, I have found to overcome such things. People will accept you or they will not. You have to learn that it is their problem, not yours. Life is short, so you have to make every minute count. A co-worker of mine was killed in the helicopter that was shot down in Iraq 2 days ago (April 21). He was only 27 yrs old and his death has made me realize just how short life really is. Go for what you want in life, and if anyone gets in your way, move them to the side and continue the journey!! Good luck with school dude!!

Thanks Maxs.

Hey guys! Just registered here today. Been aware of this site for about 2 yrs now but didn't want to register until I knew I was a "real" nursing student. Got accepted this week and will begin in the Fall. Any advice, comments, or just to say hello will be appreciated. Looking forward to talking to you as time goes on. Glad to see there is now a room for just us guys!! Male nurses are moving forward in the field, now it's up to us to start the journey and excel. Let's Thrive in 2005!!!! Take Care Everybody, CSimonFan