mfigueroa22

Yea I'm in foundations 2 starting 3 in two weeks. We start assessments in nursing 3 then clinical rotations in 4. I'm liking it so far but pharm 1 is testing me. I hope I pass pharm 1 this term. I'm on the edge.

I started reading the NCLEX-PN study guides, it helps with getting used to nursing style questions and critical thinking. Just find a rhythm and you will do fine. Good luck.

So, to explain how my program is set up, I go to a career college. It is a 14 month fast paced program that is set up in 5 week terms not semesters. So, every 5 weeks I change classes. I am about to finish first term with all "A's" witch I'm happy. I haven't had any bumps in the road so far thank god. I already know of 5 out of my class of 18 that will not continue on with us but for the most part for me it has been a fairly easy transition. I think nursing school is what you make of it. If you start off thinking it's going to be too hard or you can't do it, you won't. But if you stay positive you can do it. Also, nursing school does not have to run your entire life like some people say. Yes, you have to spend time at home studying. But, it shouldn't consume your entire life. I still have time to work and do stuff with my wife.(go out to diner and a movie...). I'm not saying I have everything figured out though, but I do think if I keep my flow going and stay within a routine the rest will take care of itself. Any questions just ask me. Also my experience is going to be different then others, so there are going to be people to tell you nursing school is a nightmare and some that will tell you it was the best time of their life. It's up to you how you want things to go. Just remember, only worry about things you can control and don't worry about things you can't. Good luck all my fellow future nurses!

Master cardiology is better than the cardiology iii in my opinion. I have trouble hearing and the Master Cardiology is the best one I have tried. It's pricey but I found it online for like $220. You get what you pay for in stethoscopes a lot of times.

Where do you go?

Congrats! I just started May 12th. I feel like I got such a long road ahead but everybody that has made it has said that it goes by really fast. How do you feel? Did it go by fast for you?

http://www.steeles.com/categories/stethoscopes?gclid=CJb80tCCpL4CFUMF7AodHC0AEA This website has the best prices that I've found on Littmans. I prefer the Master Cardiology. But that's just because I have bad hearing. It's the only one that works for me but unfortunately it's like $180 but you get what you pay for with stethoscopes. The mid level Cardiology III is great as well.

An 80 is a b in my book. Most college and universities are on the 10 point scale here in NC so an 80-90 is a B and 90-100 is an A. So that means I have to have a B average to pass. It's a little steep if you ask me. The saying that "C's" gets degrees can go out the window as far as I'm concerned.

Is this a pretty common thing now for most Nursing Programs for the minimum average to be a "B"? I wasn't expecting that. I just went to my orientation last night and I start on Monday. I was already stressing about my grades but now I'm really stressed about having very little room for error. I understand that in the real world we are expect to be right 100% of the time but this is school and we are learning completely new material so I just don't see why it can't be at least a C at 70%. I guess I'll have to make sure to study that much harder. Anyway I just wanted to see what other students are growing through. What's your minimum requirement for passing?

I use a Master Cardiology from Littmann. They are expensive, around $230, but it's worth it to me because I have terrible hearing. I had a uniform shop that carries a few brands and a lot if different models so I just tried them out and that one worked best.

Thanks that was very helpful and comforting. I start the program next week and I was really nervous and worried about not having a personal life. I don't have kids but I'm married and I was a little worried about not having time to spend with my wife juggling school and work.

That's the exact thing I'm doing right now. I've finished a lot if RN prerequisites and now I'm starring the LPN Program next week at a tech school. After that I'll work as an LPN while I'm finishing up. It's just another way to make better money faster as I an a CNA right now and the pay isn't great.

I'm hoping I get at least $16 giving I work 3rd shift. Right now I'm a CNA but I know my hospital pays $4 shift diff for RN working 3rd shift so hopefully it's something similar for LPN

Hi, I'm a soon to be LPN curious about the average start pay in the field. Please state the area and the facility type please. Thank you.

Thank you all. I'm glad to know others share the same feelings. Even though I'm nervous, the excitement of starting my career as a nurse overcomes the nervousness. We should keep in touch through the process and help each other out. Good luck to y'all as we'll.

Thank you. Where are you going?

I'm starting May 12th at ECPI in Greensboro, NC to their 14 month LPN program. I'm excited and nervous. I will be on the forum a lot documenting my journey and prob asking a bunch of questions and hopefully answering a bunch as well to help the other students that wish to do the same thing. Wish me luck, I will need it!

What your employer does and what the board does is two different things. As I stated I'm not saying you can't get fired but you are not subject to discipline by the board in nc.

A manager is a completely different story. I am talking about RNs on the floor working with and along side LPNs providing care. Of course if you are in a manager role. You are responsible for everyone under you. And your boss is going to hold you accountable for everyone under you. If your employer decides to fire you it would to do with the management side of things or something you have done as a manager, not what an individual has done under you. But still, even if you are a manager you can't get disciplined by the Board of Nursing if an RN or LPN under you makes an error. That would be the RN or LPNs fault and they would subject to discipline.

My point was that in almost all cases the LPN is responsible for an error not the supervising RN which another post suggested otherwise.

It clearly states"accepts responsibility for self" under RN and LPN. So that means the LPN is responsible for what they do. An RN delegates and LPN follows through. It is up to the BON weather that LPN or RN is competent to do that task. And as long is that LPN is practicing with in their scope they can do what they need to and accept full responsibility.

There are a lot of RNs that will tell you that CNAs just can't do enough to really help them. I'm a CNA, I have been one for 3 years and I love my job. I'm soon to be an lpn. CNAs can't help nurses with anything except for dressing and maybe prime IV tubing. That's it. They can't pull meds, give meds, call the doctors... I live in nc where LPNs can do quite a bit. Except for blood products and care plans we can pretty much do what a RN can do. So, I'm sure that most RNs out there are 1. Delegating already because you have CNAs under you. And 2. They would love the help of an LPN when they have 4 patients calling out for pain meds at one time when they still have to chart or have a lot on their plate. And by the way even though the LPN works under the RN, the LPN is still responsible for their actions and scope. I don't see any reason why LPNs can't work in a hospital setting, they did for many years and the only reason why they still aren't is because of magnet.

ECPI Greensboro, NC LPN Program May 12th start Date!

Any good books I can buy to help?

I think it all depends on the market you work in. Because there are places where you can't find a job and places you can get a job the first day you pass the boards. So specific to my area there seems to be a shortage of experienced nurses. And a lot of nurses specifically RNs that don't want to go to LTC facilities to get the experience to work in hospitals. Where as LPNs are a main component to LTC. And idk how it is where you live but LPNs and RN's make about the same at LTC facilities if not the exact same, so most new grads aren't willing to take a job making the sane as LPN's to get the experience that hospitals require. Every now and then my med surge floor will hire a new grad RN but it isn't often.