Hello_Pretty

I went to Pasadena City College. It was a 6 week summer class and then 2 semesters. With 6 weeks break between semesters.

Since I last posted on here, I've completed my RN-LVN bridge (NOT the 30 unit option) and have almost 2 years experience under my belt. And yes, worked in the hospital for a year as well in Los Angeles. I started my BSN classes already, but in no rush to finish.

I try not to use my legal name on social media as well! Usually some variation of my name so someone can't search it.

But what if your patient is a famous person? I often get famous/rich people at my workplace. I once had a model come through but I had never heard of her, googled her and saw she had millions of followers. Sometimes when a doctor sends us a VIP patient I need a little background on the person to know who I'm dealing with. And FYI we treat ALL our patients as VIP since it is concierge practice, but some patients will go ahead and tell me they're actors/comedians/etc (or assume you know who they are!) I don't feel like I'm violating HIPAA as long as I'm not telling the world XYZ was my patient and she got liposuction and a tummy tuck!

School nursing and public health nursing require a bachelor's. At most (not all) nursing homes in my area, the RN is the nursing supervisor (above the LVN and CNA). So they don't do hands on care. They are also used as desks nurses and admitting nurses. You can even try working as a DSD (staff development).

Got this email reply this morning: "Kaiser doesn’t have a contract with Web Woc to precept non-Kaiser employees. Currently we have contracts with San Jose State and Emory. I will not be able to assist you at this time. Best of luck with your pursuits." I'm so sad ... you would think the Los Angeles area would be easier to find a preceptor.

I sent out a dozen today already! One told me she's currently not working I will need to make phone calls to hospitals near me that employ WOC Nurses (that are not listed in the directory). I have a friend that works at the Kaiser the WOC nurse is employed at so I will try to get some contact info and call someone. CalicoKitty, have you taken the exam yet?

I emailed a WOC nurse in Los Angeles and she said she couldn't precept me WebWOC and Kaiser Permanente (her employer) are unable to reach an agreement. I emailed WebWOC to confirm if its true. And now that they aren't with MSU anymore, maybe Kaiser can come to agreement?

I went to the website today and the program is back on!! I signed up for information. I was going to apply to Dominguez Hills (currently requesting tuition reimbursement from my hospital). If I can get into CDUSM that would be ideal since classes are 8 weeks long. I get $4000 tuition reimbursement per year. And $2000 if I were to switch to part time.

Wow that's crazy they're starting it in December! The new grads wouldn't have even graduated yet. I'm curious why they did that... And will they have another New Grad program in March?

I'm assuming she stayed in the Bay. BTW $34 in central California is more like $70 versus Bay area pay. Rent is dirt cheap in central California . San Francisco has the highest rent in the country. And $50 isn't double $34 so when you compare cost of living you're still keeping a lot of what you make in central Cali. Since you would be living at home, I'd take option 2 because no one cares where you did your residency as long as you have experience.

Most hospitals won't even look at your app unless you have a BSN (whether or not the hospital is magnet).

In CA, LTACH has ratio of 5:1 or 4:1 if on Tele. LTC is a different story. Some use RNs as floor nurse overseeing 20-35 patients (up to 50 at night). Others use LVNs on the floor, and have an RN supervisor overseeing the floor.

An LTC RN in Los Angeles should earn $35 MINIMUM. Santa Maria is a lower COL but still expensive when compared to the Central Valley. Remember, you should also not be spending more than 1/3 your income on housing. Check Craigslist or find a short term rental. Also, if you don't mind driving 1 hour to work each day you can look for cheap housing outside that area.

At my first SNF job, I had a printout of all the resident's names and room numbers. I'd have colored pens and would indicate which ones had crushed meds, g-tubes, accuchecks, etc. I really like the list BSNbeDONE gave you. So take that and tweak it to fit your facility/residents. You'll know what works for you and what doesn't. After a few med passes you'll begin to remember. Most LTCs give 3 days orientation so you are lucky to have 2 weeks. Also, do not try to rush everything. Management will know that you are new and will probably end up overtime several hours the first few weeks. Some days I went home at midnight (we got off at 10:30pm) but at least I had all my charting done and MAR signed and TX completed. Try not to take shortcuts because YOU WILL MAKE MISTAKES and you'll feel awful that you did. All that could have been avoided had you taken your time and did it right the first time. You can start doing shortcuts after a few months once you've gotten a handle on things. Everything was computerized when I worked my first LTC job and I never had to punch meds so it helped speed things up. Not sure how things are for you. Keep at it. You will learn and you will get better!

I'd like to add that I also do home health and the pay rate is $30/visit as LVN. It's a very easy job but you won't get enough patients to make a decent paycheck and you spend most of your time driving. It's good to have as a side job to make a few bucks especially if your patient is located close to home.

Did you ever decide which route you were taking? I'm in Los Angeles and the pay for LVNs in SNF is about $20-$25 and it doesn't matter if you have 0 or 25 years experience. I also work per diem as a private duty and the pay is $30 (independent contractor rate). Some facilities may let you negotiate a higher wage for experience, and other may give a raise each year. I've only been an LVN for 2 years, just got my RN this month. Since I'm not BSN I'm going back to SNF and I'm asking for no less than $35. Since SNFs are very desperate for RNs I feel I can ask for more. I got my license after all the fall new grad RN programs started so I have to wait until spring to apply for those programs.

In California, the boyfriend may qualify for In Home Supportive Services (contact a social worker since I don't know OP or the BFs situation). The state pays a caregiver (pretty much anyone that can pass a background check and DOES NOT need any medical training). You wouldn't be paid to watch him 24/7, but depending on his medical needs, you can get paid for #hours the state thinks he needs.

I don't know. I bridged from lvn so that process wasn't offered to me. And I know nothing about applying to that program.. you should seek a counselor. They have 1 nursing counselor at PCC. PM me and I'll send the info.

Hey guys, just to update you: I graduated 2 months ago and as of today they have not sent our transcripts to the BRN. Many of us have missed the deadline for starting our new grad programs because of the negligence of this school that is PCC. The nursing director is on vacation on Europe and supposedly they're short staffed. Looks like I won't be licensed until October at this point...many other students who graduated around the same time from other schools have already taken and passed NCLEX. Also, a large number of my classmates received letters from Brn saying their application was received but not processed due to lack of nursing school transcripts. This will extend the application processing by 4 weeks, per the BRN. On top of that it takes about 3-4 weeks after you get your ATT to schedule a test date. And another 2-4 weeks to get your license. I'm very frustrated with this school!

I took 2 years of Spanish in high school. My previous colleges accepted that to count towards the 1 year of college Spanish.

Hi Annaiya, From what I've been told by other students, the blue transcript request form is to be completed by the school that issued your nursing degree. But on the safe side, I called/emailed other schools I attended for my GEs (out of town) and they gave me an address to send the form to in case they needed to sign it as well, as well as payment for the transcript. I hope this will help other students looking for answers. If anything changes, I'll try to update my post.

In California, the IV Cert is an "official" certification that can be added to your license. I don't think that's the case in many other states. However, it is offered at many schools, private and public, and ranges from $300-$500 (3 day course) and you also get 30 CEUS. I also have a TX LVN license and found that IV cert classes aren't really offered anywhere and its something based on facility policy that allows LVNs to do IVs.

BTW its been 3+ months since I've applied for license by exam. Since yours is by endorsement the wait times are just as long. Don't know your specifics, but that's a long time to wait for license and then finding a job so I would consider a non-medical job if you still haven't found work in a few weeks.

You can try working as a CNA in a hospital you hope to be employed at. Or you can find a non-medical job.