MDSlady

Thanks for the encouragement....I am again registered for 2 more pre-req classes at Middlesex and will hopefully apply to Gateway in 2008. I am going to continue with this and hopefully make it... Thanks again, and keep in touch with how it is going. Best of luck to you!!! :roll

WOW, am I glad to hear that. Maybe I won't totally be against Gateway. Again, close to my house. Is it true that it is really 4 nights a week from 4p-10p. If this is, how on earth do you do your homework and research. I too have full support from my family and am committed to doing this whether at Gateway or maybe Capital. PM me if you can so that I could get specifics from you. Thanks for the hope.... MDSLady

Haven't applied to anywhere yet. Was just thinking about Gateway because it is an evening program, and close to my home. I kind of can see about working FULL time and taking the program being difficult. Classes Mon-Thurs 4p-10p. When would I do homework during the week other than the weekend? I work 7-3 and then would have the drive to be there by 4, so no time during the week. I am thinking about Excelsior and starting with Chancellor's for RN. What are you doing??

Hello everyone... Just a question..Does anyone or has anyone attended Gateway CC nursing program??? I just went to an information seminar last week and they totally discouraged me. I have been an LPN for 9 years and am currently an MDS Coordinator here in CT. I have always wanted to be an RN (since I was a little kid) however, choose and don't regret being a stay at home mom for 12 years. I have been taking pre-reqs to get into the RN program, however this seminar stated that you can forget working full-time if you want to do their program. I picked Gateway because 1) it's close to my home 2) evening classes 3) I liked where the clinicals would be. I have 2 kids in college and one to go shortly, and frankly in this age (2006) who doesn't work full-time. I left there and felt like a total failure and that everything that I had put into my pre-reqs was down the tubes. Has anyone done or is doing this program, and is working full-time really totally impossible?? I understand the program is Monday-Thursday 4p-10p and I could cut my hours down to maybe 32 during the week, or 24 and then 8 hours on the weekend. I am thinking about maybe doing the Excelsior route, however that weekend clinical just seems like a nightmare!!!! PLEASE...anybody.....give me your feedback and let me know what you think. I would really like to hear from people that have done an RN program and WORKED full or near to full time. They also said that they don't look at anybody with less than a 3.5 grade average. Is this true????

This program that I checked into is an evening program. Monday-Thursday 4p-10p. My job is pretty flexible in that I can cut down to 32 hours a week and I think my DNS would be pretty good with this, however, I would have to make sure that I am there during most days because of wound, weight meetings, morning report and my care conferences on Wednsdays. I am just very torn if I should do the on-line classes or forget it. I feel that I could do the on-line classes, but that weekend thing just might put me over the edge. The other nurse that I work with (an RN) feels that I'm not giving myself enough credit. I just don't know what to do.

I have been an LPN for 9 years and currently am working in LTC as an MDS/Resident care coordinator. I have slowly been plugging away at pre-reqs for an RN program, however attended an informational seminar yesterday for a program and they stated that you can forget working full time if you take an RN program. I have 2 in college, and another one going shortly and cannot afford to give up my current job, nor do I want to. I love it.... I am thinking about Excelsior, going through Chancellors. I did this before and got out of my contract earlier because I wasn't disciplined enough. I am now in a position that I am determined to be an RN just because I want that title. I am tired of telling people, "I'm just an LPN". :angryfire People that I work with tell me that they think I am an excellent LPN and I should do this. Another obstacle, is that working in LTC I do not have any exposure really to any clinical experiences. We don't have alot in the way of tx's, IV's, etc. and also I am in an administrative position and have my own office. I do sometimes pick up a shift on the floor because I love the patients, but again not much to do except give meds.... I need your input, should I do this. The only thing that is really holding me back is the WEEKEND CLINICAL. Just the thought of that right now makes me sick.:uhoh21: Please let me know what you would do.....

I have been a LTC nurse for 8 years, and congrats on being a new grad!!!!:mortarboard: Remember just to be yourself, and do NOT let them put yourself on your own UNTIL YOU ARE READY!!!! Some facilities think after a couple of days, that you can be on your own. Remember, if YOU are not comfortable, don't do it. And also, if you find that it is a facility that you cannot ask questions, which by the way, you may have alot of when you begin, find another job. You will learn much more if you can work in a facility that works as a TEAM!!!! Again, best of luck!!!!!

I am the MDS Coordinator in my building of 150 residents, and also an LPN. I have given in-services on how to update care plans, and nobody listens to me!!!! I have been told that most of our nurses are not going to update careplans because "they feel it is my job" and not theirs. I have the DNS breathing down my back because I cannot update careplans for 150 people by myself. It has gotten so bad that if somebody falls on a Friday night and I come to work on a Monday morning they still have not update a careplan at all with any intervention. I have told my DNS that I cannot do this anymore, I also attend all the weight, pressure, wound, RCC , Quarterly assessment audits, and walking rounds for my building. I also do all the annual and quarterly assessments for my building. I have an RN that works only 16 hours, she only does the MED A MDS's but it is not enough to help me do everything that I have to do. I love my job, but am severly stressed,,,,,,any suggestions.!!!!!

Hey Cape Cod, I have seen your posts alot on this web-site. You seem to know your stuff. Let me tell you the ADNS has it made at our facility. I would be happy with an ADNS position. If you are happy with that, keep it, if you really feel that you want a DNS position, go find one. I will tell you....the DNS at my facility runs her butt ALOT more that the ADNS. Good luck to you, and again, I have seen your posts here before and I have great respect for you and your information that you give. I look forward to reading your posts.

My first goal upon admission is "will remain free of falls through nursing interventions". After or if they have a fall (with no injury) I would change my goal to "will have no injury to fall or will get assist when getting up". After that, my goal is less that ___ falls per quarter. Hope this helps you...it has kept me out of trouble so far with the state............

What's going to give you higher payment with the RUGS is your therapy and ANYTHING in section P that you can check off. IV'S, transfusion, suctioning, etc. Since the new RUGS have come out, instead of picking day 8 which I usually did for higher payments, you may pick day 5-6 so that you can you can use your IV's on the 5 and 14d MDS. Talk to your therapy people and see what day you can use that will pay the best for the 5 AND the 14d MDS. That's where the money is.....

Yes, an "average" student can be a good nurse. Remember, anybody can be book smart and common sense stupid. An "A" in the classroom does not mean you will be a good nurse, it's what you do on the floor that counts. Relax, and you will do fine if this is your true love. Remember, if you love what you do, you will do fine in whatever you do.

Hi Anna, I would recommend finding not a school because you like OB but rather a good nursing program in general. Concentrate on your BSN and then after you graduate, concentrate in what field of nursing you would like. Remember, that during your nursing school experience, you will be exposed to alot of nursing fields and while now, OB sounds like what you may like, you may change your mind. So, try to find a BSN program around the area that you would like to attend college. And best of luck.....

Oh boy!!:angryfire This would bug the s _ _ _ out of me!!!! I agree with Marie LPN. What's wrong with them saying you're nurse is:__________ CNA is ___________. Let's confuse some confused people already. If there was a crisis would these people let YOU help them seeing that you are a "server" to them????? I think they should associate a face with "nurse" and a face with "CNA", leave the "servers" to the dining room. Does anybody else in your facility feel this way???

Our admission's person will tell me on admission is a person is on Med A or not. Then, we have a weekly Medicare meeting and discuss with PT if they are going to be taken off or not. When they are on Med A follow your 5/14/30/60/90 schedule.