mickeygirl

I have only been a nurse for 2 years but I have alot of work experience and life experience prior to nursing. I work for a lovely LTC and rehab facility. I LOVE being a nurse and I usually love my job, but last night sent me over the edge. I was trapped in a corner by a elderly yet very strong and aggressive patient while trying to redirect him. He beat the heck out of me and because he had antitippers on the back of his w/c I couldn't back him up easily. I finally got away from him with not too many bruises but it's the mental bruises I am having a problem getting over. It was a bad situation and I had to continue my night. I cannot stop crying and not because of the injuries but I guess because I can't get pass the fear. more than 15 years ago I left and abusive husband and have a wonderful life now with my prince charming. But I am really struggling with the thought of going to work this afternoon. Anybody out there experience this? Any thoughts on how to deal? I keep telling myself to get over it but I have to go to work soon and I am afraid I won't make it through my night.

wooo hooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i passed!!!!!! :balloons: :balloons: :monkeydance: :roll :thankya:

Congrats to you! I also recently graduated August 30th and also received the award for clinical excellence. It was tough because so many people deserved this award and a total suprise for me. I took my boards on Monday 10-9 and am waiting on pins and needles for results. It shut off at 86 so I think that made me even more nervous. Our school provided us with a great tool for practice testing through out the year called the ATI system. It is a website that gives you practice tests and wonderful guidelines for taking the NCLEX. It was included in our Tuition and besides the Proctored exams which we took through out the year, it allowed us to have unproctored exams for practice. I spent alot of time on the Pharm part and nutrition. There is a comprehensive one that is like taking the NCLEX because it is a sampling of all of the subjects. Also don't forget the peds/maternity as well. The site is called http://www.atitesting.com Hopefully it will allow you to use it even if your school did not. Good luck and welcome to nursing!!!:balloons:

congrats!!!!! i just took my boards today and i can't wait until i can say that myself! you should be really proud of yourself! you deserve more than a pat on the back. it was a tough road and you did it!!! way to go!!! :biggringi

Thank you soooooooo much everyone for your support and prayers. It's over (hopefully) The test shut off at 85 and that is scaring the heck out of me. I was so surprised, I thought I broke it at first. :rotfl: My two friends finished at 85 as well and were about 10 minutes behind me. This is so nerve racking. In Pa we can't look at our test results on the web like alot of states all we can do is see if our license has been issued. I will probably check that license website 50 times a day. Another 2 of my classmates already took it and passed so maybe it's a sign. Again thanks for everything and I will keep you posted! Also good luck and best wishes to all!!!

Thanks Jules!!!

Congrats to all of you that have passed and my very best wishes to those who going through school and are getting ready to pass this test!!! Tomorrow is the day a couple of my classmates and I will be taking our NCLEX-PN, so please say a little prayer. ( I needed a break from studying so I popped on to see what was going on over here) It is the 6th week mark after graduation :mortarboard: which is supposed to be a good time to take it,:wink2: but more importantly I really need to get moving on with my life. :monkeydance: I am working at a facility that hired me as a GPN, but it leaves alot to be desired. Problems ranging from mismanagment to verbal abuse by a nurse to staff and patients (which I will be reporting) . It's amazing what people think they can get away with because they have an RN on thier badges. But moving on requires me to obtain those good ol' 3 letters past my name and with God's grace, a little bit of luck, and the hard work that went into this last year and a half, it will be over soon. Please keep me and my friends :blushkiss in your prayers tonight and I promise I will post once I get results. (I think that's pretty darn quick here in PA but not quick enough I am sure).

Isn't that the truth (the thankless part)!!! I love the flower idea though! I will have to bring that up at my "must attend" meeting on friday. Thank you!!

hi all, i sure could use your help. i am the class president for our soon to be graduate lpn class (august 31st to be exact). i am in a bit of a dilemma. when i was told by our don that i needed to organize graduation and such i was really taken aback when i saw the laundry list of things i needed to do and make decisions about. so i created a committee and am trying to get things decided, but i run into the problem where it's hard to get everyone together to meet and make decisions. we aren't doing anything special because of the lack of participation that most of the class displays. quite a bummer for those of us who really want the "whole nine yards". :balloons: what i am in desperate need of is a recommendation for a place to purchase caps and gowns. i wasn't impressed with jolston because they won't quote you over the internet. i also don't want a completely see through robe (because we are wearing white robes and the class before us had very thin robes that were flimsy and see through)- very tacky!!! so if anyone has any websites or suggestions for me please let me know. we are starting to hit the critical hour now. oh yeah, not to sound stupid but what is with the candle thing i saw on another thread???

I started my LPN program back in Aug 05 and by sticking with WW I am down 43 lbs. Although I think my classmates have taken on that weight that I have lost but the program (WW) kept me grounded when I really wanted to stress big time with my classes. Only 44 days until graduation and hopefully I will hit the 50lb mark by then. Just keep trying and try to use the stress as a motivator to stick to your program.

It is quite discouraging when I look at the want ads because I will be finished with LPN school in 29 weeks. I don't want to work in an LTC but so many hospitals are getting away from using LPNs that I don't want to regret going for my decision to obtain my LPN and then work towards my RN. Hopefully "the SYSTEM" will come to thier senses and realize what assets they have in the LPN work force.

Wow! Yours are a little bit stricter than ours but what really bugs me are the people that abuse the system. We just got yelled at today (and trust me the majority of us that don't do this protested the tongue lashing we received), but yesterday 7 people walked in late (and I don't mean 2 minutes late I am talking 15 to 30- no real excuses) They knew we had an instructor that not only locked people out if they were late last year but would start right on the dot of the start of class!!! Now we have been there 2 months and the 15 minute leway is being totally abused and is truely disruptive for the rest of the class and quite frankly very discurteious to the teacher. We have a point system and if we get 10 points in clinical we are out of the program and if we get 10 points in theroy we get a point off of our highest grade. As far as the rest of the rules we have to wear white undergarments- they don't care if you wear a thong but because we wear white pants be aware that it will probibly be seen by eveyone.:chuckle We have to keep our hair off of our sholders and no wild piercings but we can wear as many earrings as we like as long as they sit tight on our ears and don't dangle. White shoes- if it has an emblem or anything they don't sweat us and I think I must be the only girl in the class without a tatoo. I belive our school is well thought of- I know the hospital staff where we do our clincals all think highly of us and a large percent of our classes get hired there even though they have thier own nursing school. So as far as the rules are concerned I think that alot are put down to abide by our hospitals regs AND the integrity of the school. But there are alot of people out there that are immature and have no work ethics. Some of these rules may be there to weed them out.JMO

Thanks everyone- I know I didn't pose this quesiton but now I have made up my mind- WHEN I graduate from nursing school in Aug 2006- A tat will be a gift to myself. I am 38 and I have wanted one all of my life but for other professional jobs and FEAR I never got one. But as long as I can keep it hidden (on my ankle) I think I can finally get my small Mickey Mouse on my ankle (now to convince my DH!!!) BTW-They are strict about our dress and hair and such at our school but they haven't said a word about tats or for that matter piercings. I can't pull off piercing though- I am a klutz! I have had my earings torn through too many times by kids in daycare so I am really cautious with earings.

Congrats!!! A real inspiration for those of us who just started this journey. And double kudos for your boyfriend. My hubby is my biggest supporter!!! I know I wouldn't be able to do it without him!!!! :balloons:

Today was my first day for LPN school. I was excited, scared, a little overwhelmed, and so glad it was finally here after more than a year of waiting. I have learned so much in my first day and can't wait to learn more. Good luck everyone and thanks for all the advice so far!!! I am sure I will need more.