Deac Jn

Never to old! My biggest concern was that I did not want to be the "old guy in the class" I started LPN school at 45 graduated at 47 left the career of 26 years (in non medical human service) and am working ft as a nurse in a Alzheimer's unit. Its with the population I had worked with for for yrs and yrs but now I'm the nurse. As far as your age, well the majority of the other students were young, many very immature, but there were plenty of "seasoned" folks too! I was the oldest in my clinical group, the younger members (many my own children's ages, needed another "adult" who they could talk with about how to wend their way through the vast amounts of rules and regs that we find our selves in the hospital. Believe me I heard all about the boy friend problems, was called upon to help with study groups (b/c as a full time job holder in addition to going to nursing school) I had to be organized, and was another set of eyes to help proof read nurse care plans and so on. What i am trtying to say is that your age is a benefit to the other students, and the teachers will appreciate the older learner b/c there are less "games" b/c you have a life you have to set priorities and simply get the job done. As far as the work it self being a ft nurse is physically and mentally very demanding. At my place of employment, we always eat on the run grab breaks when we can, and are on our feet all day long. But the rewards are great. At the end of my shift I KNOW I've made a direct difference in somebody's life. No I don't save a life everyday. But I've saved my share of them b/c I was there and observed something that wasn't right and did something to help. It is a great feeling. So yes it is worth all the Mickey Mouse nonsense of nursing school (mine was very tough, almost militaristic, what type of shoes to wear, lenght of hair, and so on.) Of course I understood that it wasn't these rules they were trying to impress upon us rather to pay attention to the small things and then you wont miss the big things. Shortage? Yes b/c many don't seem to know why they want to get into nursing. Many think its like school where you get 1 patient for the day to take of, thats not reality, and the balancing of work responsibilities and prioritization of real world nursing is not really arressed in school. Suffice to say that it took me several mmonths to start to feel comfortable with all the responsibilites that are suddenly thrust upon you. I made a deliberate choice to become a nurse,an LPN, so that i could be a bed side nurse, with direct patient contact and care. I was the only one in my clinical group who wanted that The rest wanted to move into Administation. That's great b/c we need administrators but I've been there, done that, got the Tee shirt. After many years of that type of work I was so far removed from the humans, I left it all took nearly a 40% pay cut and jumped in, was the senior man at my old place of employment, now low man in senority, low pay, last option for vacations etc. but very happy. Just a few of my thoughts. Good Luck and yes we need more Testosterone on the floors!

Fiona, Yes you are right...my bad in not being more specific. 5 days per week with every other weekend on. I am currently already working almost 14 hrs per day and then add about 1 hour each way commuting time... I am less concerned about having the stamina and more concerned about feeling so lost! Thanks everyone for responding.

Okay, here's the deal. I am leaving my current employer (a human service agency in non nurse position)with whom I've been with for nearly 25 years to work as a Nurse full time. I am a new graduate btw. I've been offered fulltime work at a really nice nursing and rehab facility 7 -3 shift every other weekend. BUT I am also real close to being offered a fulltime LPN position 7am - 7pm 3 day per week sched on a cardiac monitoring unit in a community hospital. What I am look for is you input. Anything will be greatly appreaciated. Thanks much.

First off, I know all about the threads concerning online schools. However, I just want a little feedback anyway. Here's the situation: I just graduated with my LPN, passed the NCLEX got my lic. and am working as a nurse. Here's the thing: I was so sure that I wouldn't want to go to get an RN, but I am wondering now... I suppose its not the money difference per se, money is great don't get me wrong, its just that in our area, the oppty. for RNs is vastly greater that LPN (I love and am very proud being a LPN by the way, I KNOW I am a real live flesh and blood nurse) I aleady have have my BS in behavioral science, I am "seasoned" (read that "older student") and as crazy as this sounds, I am wondering if going to school is right. Problem here where I live is that it is wicked hard to get into any nursing program. Competition is so hard, long waiting lists and being that I am older... So what is you opinion, is the online degree accepted by the field? I would hate to invest the time & money to find that its not welcomed even if the school is accredited. I proved to myself that I could survive LPN school, and all its rigors, so now I would love to hear from you guys, especally those who are going via online or who maybe even have completed your RN. Thanks, Deac Jn

I also did Saunders everyday at least 100 questions for about 6 weeks prior to my nclex. Took the test and passed. I was very comfortable when taking the exam b/c the format mirrored the Saunders cd questions. When studying I started out with 60's, best score was 85. Mostly in the high 70's though. (I was #2 in my nursing school class, got high 90's on most every exam while in school) BTW I found that with each wrong answer, I took the time to read the strategy & rational, and made a short note about it, helped to reinforce how the nclex wants the question answered. I think what helped the most though was answering 100's of questions prior to the exam, so that I learned how to read the question and think in nclex fashion. Best to you. :monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance:

I am very thankful that I just learned that I passed my boards. I did have (it seemed) many questions with drugs I NEVER heard of before. I stopped and tooka deep breath, and tried to figure out from the name or the generic what the class of drug might be. When this did not work I guessed. Honestly, I guessed. Remember with the nclex the answer is right in front of you. If its a drug or other topic you don't remember seeing or studying before, take an educated guess use ABC, then Maslow then if all else fails pick the best sounding one! Remember, it's a computer test. It doens't know or care about YOU. The computer can't care less. Also remember that a certain percent of the questions are not even scored on your exam. They serve as test questions for the next rounds of exams in the future. Maybe the drug question you don't know is one of them. More import is to study, very hard, and to know cold those areas you can know. These will help build up your score. Personally I answered a min. of 100 questions per day using the cd from the Saunder's review book, for 6 weeks DAILY in prep of the boards. When i went in I KNEW I had prepared as best I could and wasn't nervous at all. Bottom line: control what you can control. Know your calculation formulas and how to apply them. Don't let the computer exam intimidate you. It is not personal! Best to you. Deac Jn

I really identify with the math "issues". Math was NEVER a subject I could fell comfortable with. But having just graduted from Nursing school, I was blessed with a great teacher who gave us just a few formulas that work in just about every situation. Part of the process of going throuhg school I found out was learing to read the questions. i know that sounds self explanatory, but believe me it's not. For some reason the usual way to ask test questions often times goes out the window in nursing school! It's not always tricky, but often just the way the question is asked. I usually 'read' too much into the question and tried to do things that were not asked for... That said, I purchased lots of extra help books on math, spent the entire summer teaching myself ways to solve problems etc. To no avail. But in one class my teacher taught us how to read the question, see what is being asked for and use the formulas (that you too will learn) to solve the problem. One thing to always do: ALWAYS write out the formula for the problem you are working on ALWAYS. doing this keeps you honest to the problem and provides a road map of where you need to go to solve what is being asked of you. last, as much as i said I will never use this stuff...it is still used, take time to learn it. It is as much a skill to master as any other clinical skill you will be learning. That's a good way to look at it. I you can learn to insert a Foly catheter, you can learn to solve math problems.

Yes, it can be done. Having a supportive family and making a determined schedule for study was an absolute must for me. I did work 40hrs+ while in school. Honestly, there were times when I felt terrible, exhusted and dispirited (and those were the good days!) Most of my class mates changed to work weekends doing doubles etc. Some did drop out of the program to be honest with you. My school was very demanding. I used the weekends for massive study & projects cause I worked M - F. Looking back don't know how I survived, but I did (thanks be to God), I had to accept that things will pile up but after graduation I'm attacking that pile. Keep plugging away. Nursing school was really a day by day experience for me. Never thought the last day would come, but it did. It will for you too. Best to you John

47 year old new graduate here. Just finished school a few months ago. It was very tough esp. having to work full time while going to school. But yes it can be done. (Easier to say now that its behind me!) One suggestion however is that you invest in THE BEST SUPPORTIVE SHOES you can. My school required white leather nursing shoes, and while they did not set any fashion style trends, they were extremely supportive and comfortable while on my feet during all those clinical hours. I was the oldest in my clincial group, and just about the oldest in the graduating class. However that did lend itself to helping the younger students as they wended their way through all that the school and clinical sites threw at us. Your life experience will come in very handy. I wish you well. John

First, Happy New Year! I have had the RNY in 2004 and lost approx 220lbs. Yes that is true. 220 lbs. Amazes me to think of "then" vs. now. I had no real problems post op. My issues involved more nutritional issues, had and continue to have problems with some foods dense protiens like chicken breast, and lean meats. I have no problem with soups and have learned to make them with veggies and good stuff like that. Physically I do get tired if I do not keep my calories up. It is a struggle to get 1200 cals per day into me. (funny, used to eat 1200 for breakfast) So I do advise people who go for the RNY to learn to eat 5 - 6 meals / day, lots of H2O and exercise. Even though I was so massivly obese, I had no real co morbidities before surgery. I had always exercised so that was no doubt the best factor in my favor. I had always lifted weights, so my muscle strength was a great assest post op. Follow up is long term and life long. It is easy for me to fall off the eating right bandwagon and eat junk foods chips etc, and fill up on them, esp. now that school is coming to an end, lots of stress and no time... So, get into support groups, and get moving, that I think helped me the most. That and a mind set of this is life long. Last word: This is a very hard lifestyle. At times bad gas, and diarrhea are present even though nothing has changed, it can be frustrating. Sometimes the exhustion is overwhelming. BUT I would do it all over again. In a minute. Hope it helps Be glad to email other info I can.

Just my experiences...I went to school last year at night after work. Tough but it seems like acient history now. Now I am in the clinical year and go to school M - F 8 am - 230pm. Then go to work 330pm till work is done late at night ( I work in admin at my place of employment). This is a very difficult thing to do. most of my class mates have changed their work sched and work doubles on the weekends and not work during the week. Like all nursing students, what ever your schedule, we are always exhusted! There are times when its just a grind and you just have to do it. Sorry for the pity party here! There is however some light at the end of our tunnel as we graduate in march 2007. Having an understanding employer really helps. Use your vacation time wisely and take time when you need it and yes you can do both. Hope that helps. Got to go back to study now ( I study on my meal breaks at work, Pharm. test coming next week.)

26? You are just a kid! I'll be 47 when I graduate in March! Never stop learning!

Okay, I start LPN school in Sept. 05. Never have been good in math, so I got a few of the "For Dummies" books from Barns and Noble. Its going okay, but I'm just not confident with it. The school Admin. stongly suggests that all students take a "math for nursing students" course. However, I do have to work fulltime and simply cannot leave work any earlier than I am to get to school for this extra class. So, I guess I'm looking for some imput about you guys feelings about the math requirements in your programs. Deac Jn

Ok Guys...I'm almost 46 yrs old, married alomost 23 yrs, two daughters, one in college, and I start LPN school in Sept here in NY! I am so excited and scared at the same time. I've worked in w/ people with severe disabilites for 25 yrs, the last 6 or so in high levels of Admin and I miss direct care so much that I am going to nursing school to get back to my roots. So I hope that we can stay in touch as we each progress toward our goals. Deac Jn